Celebrities from TV, sports, music and parliament have recorded personal messages of congratulations to the Royal Signals on reaching 100 years.
- The Corps celebrate their birthday on 28th June 2020, 100 years after being granted a Royal Warrant, signed by Sir Winston Churchill.
- The Corps are the British Army’s communication, IT and cyber experts and their troops have taken part in every notable operation since formation.
With most of the Royal Signals 100 centenary events having to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, a host of celebrities stepped up to record special video messages of birthday congratulations. Sports stars were well represented by Kris Akabusi, who served in the Royal Signals, Phil Neville, Gareth Southgate, Dame Kelly Holmes and Harry Redknapp. Adventure TV star Bear Grylls recorded a message on location in a snowy forest, with Ross Kemp, adventurer Levison Wood and SAS hero Jason Fox adding their congratulations from their homes.
Major General Sharon Nesmith, who joined the Royal Signals in 1992 and is the only female General in the British Army, recorded a message, as did Army Sergeant Major Gavin Paton and WO1 Glenn Haughton, Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
100-year-old Royal Signals veteran Major John Stanfield recorded a message, as did ‘Big Phil’ Campion, the Cadet Forces Champion. Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton, a proud supporter of military charities, and Ian Matthews, Kasabian drummer, also added their congratulations. Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, signed off the video with his thanks to the Corps.
A separate video interview was also recorded with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, the Colonel-In-Chief of the Royal Signals. Both videos will be published on British Army and Royal Signals social media channels, the celebrity video on Saturday, 27th June 2020 and The Princess Royal on Sunday 28th June 2020. https://youtu.be/zNG2fggiqRo
