Royal Signals Association Liverpool Branch

Meetings

We meet on the first Tuesday of every calendar month (except January) from 7:30pm at: Alamein Army Reserve Centre Liverpool Rd Huyton Liverpool L36 3RW. Why not come along for a chat, some food, drinks and meet old comrades.
ALL MEETINGS ARE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 UNTILL FURTHER NOTICE

As of today (23rd July 2020), the possibility of the branch Christmas function being allowed this year (December 2020), for more information please contact the branch sectary.

-last updated 23rd July 2020

Announcement

It is with a heavy heart to announced that our dear beloved friend and long-standing member of the Liverpool RSA, Leslie Victor Simpson, has passed away on the 27th of June 2020.

Leslie was born on the 9^th October 1931 in Walton Liverpool. He lived through the blitz in Liverpool and eventually bombed out of his home. As schools were closed Leslie was educated in private houses. His education was very intermittent and he spent time helping the local milk man. When school started again, he was 11 years of age and he left school in 1944 to attend Walton Technical School to study building. He then moved to Tyson’s Plc as an Apprentice Builder until he was 21, in 1952, whilst working at Tyson’s he studied one day and 3 nights per week and gained City & Guilds in Brickwork, Quantities and Estimating and A Higher National in Building Studies. He was called up for National Service in November 1952.

He Joined the Royal Corps of Signals and was trained as a Radio Mechanic at Catterick Camp until the following June, when he was posted in Korea serving there for 18 months until December 1954. When he was de-mobbed, he returned to Tyson’s as a Junior Surveyor. He joined the Korean Veterans Association.

Leslie, a very determined man, continued to study and became a fellow of the Royal Institution of the Chartered Surveyors and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building. He quickly rose thought the ranks to become a Senior Surveyor and Director of Tyson’s Plc. He served in this company for 43 years until he left in 1990 and formed his own business. He retired in 2003 and lived in Ainsdale independently until his death.

Leslie lost his sight progressively and became blind. He was a member of the Blind Veterans Association. Leslie never let his blindness get in the way of his live and used to go on holiday to Malta regularly. He attended Liverpool branch meetings regular and played a full part in all of the Liverpool branch functions, Battlefield Tours and events. He used to attend all of the Corps Weekends in Blandford and will be remembered by everyone there for his wit and charm. He had a gentleness that is very rare despite having a naughty sense of humour, always with a twinkle in his eyes.

He was very prod of his service in Korea and used to tell our member of his escapades there. He was always very determined, despite his blindness, to attend Remembrance Parades and march with the veterans. He always marched on the final Parade at the Corps Weekends, albeit supported ably by two members of the branch.

Leslie Will be missed by all at the Liverpool branch, and we expect, members of the Corps where he was well known.

-Sig Leslie Victor Simpson-October 31st to 27th June 2020

COVID-19

 As of March 2020, all branch meetings are closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Information will be sent out to all branch members via email/phone/letter for more information or changes. Regular updates will be given though our Facebook sight, so please check that first. All events for 2020 is also cancelled until further notice, this includes the trooping of the colours as well as the annual get together at Blandford.

Regards

RSA Liverpool Branch

Keep Safe

Stay at home

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family.

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms

-Gov.UK

RSA Liverpool Branch events and dates for 2020 coming soon!

Charity cycle ride to the National Memorial Arboretum took place from the 31st of August to the 1st of September where our team rase £3643 for the RSBF (Royal Signals Benevolent Funds) to support fellow signal man as well as their families.

A Brief History of Our Branch 

The branch was formed in 1929 after World War One and the formation of the Royal Corps of Signals from the Royal Engineers. Our minutes are only available since the conclusion of the Second World War and were known as the “Old Comrades Association” This was changed by recommendation from the Royal Signals HQ to the present Liverpool Branch of the Royal Signals Association.Meetings began with the kind permission of the Commanding Officer at the headquarters of the 22nd Lancashire Divisional Signals TA, Score Lane, Broadgreen, and Liverpool. This building was named “Signal House” and was officially opened by Lt Gen Sir Harry C Jackson, KCB;CMG;DSO in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Alderman M Cory Dixon, on Saturday 9th April 1938. The drill hall was then occupied by 55th (West Lancashire) Divisional Signals TA. The Commanding officer at this time was Lt Col R Baron, TD. A full list of the officers at this time of the group is held in the Liverpool branch Archives.

Currently 

 Our Secretary looks after the welfare issues for any of our ex Corps members in difficulties. We have an excellent and active entertainments committee who plan and organise social events which culminate in our Annual Christmas Dinner in December. We have a Branch Annual subscription of £10.00, which goes towards subsidising our Branch activities. Members over the age of 75 do not pay subscriptions. We are now also on Facebook, so you can make contact in this way. We do not expect our members to attend every meeting as we appreciate that family and work commitments must take priority. We do however hope to see you 2 or 3 times in the year especially at our AGM in March each Year. Any ex members, or affiliated units to the Royal Corps of Signals and serving members of the Royal Corps of Signals are most welcome to attend our meetings, who knows who you will meet and then you can decide whether to join us or not.