Earlier this week (23 April 2024) Phase Two soldiers from McBean Troop, 11th Signal Regiment, assisted the Royal Signals Museum to relocate their bobsleigh to a newly designated display area depicting sporting triumphs. Diligently worked alongside museum staff to carefully transport the bobsleigh to its new home, the relocation is part of the Museum’s new storytelling strategy, with updated displays honouring the achievements and contributions of the Royal Signals soldiers throughout history.
The bobsleigh is representative of the Corps’ storied success at the Winter Olympics. Cpl Jackie Gunn was introduced to bobsleigh racing on 3rd (UK) Signal Division HQ and Signal Regiment’s ice camp in Norway. Two years later, she represented Great Britain at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games alongside Cpl Michelle Coy (RAF). The pair finished in eleventh place. Gunn would go on to win the World Push Start Championships and take silver at the World Championships in Canada in 2005.
Gunn later teamed with Cpl Paul Walker (Royal Signals) and were ranked second overall in the European circuit. The pair qualified for the 2007 World Championships and finished in fourteenth place. Walker went on to represent Great Britain at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, also winning the Junior Bobsleigh Championships in 2011.
Other members of the Corps who have represented Great Britain in the Winter Olympics are Cpl Douglas Elliot (cross-country) in 1976, LCpl Kar Davies (biathlon) in 1988, and Cpl George Farrell (bobsleigh) in 1992 and 1994.
