Between the wars

 In 1924 the War Office authorised the formation of specialist Royal Signals units of the Supplementary Reserve who would provide ground communications for the Royal Air Force on exercise and overseas. These were formed as individual sections but in 1935 this scheme was abandoned and a single unit, termed 'RAF Signals, Royal Signals' was formed at Leeds under the command of Lt Col John Campbell. Under John Campbell's command the unit grew to five companies and 1,500 men by the outbreak of the Second World War - the largest unit in the Royal Signals Order of Battle.

Unlike Waley Cohen who wrote of his experiences and whose work is well documented, John Campbell - whose influence was so great - is a very shadowy figure. We know that he, like Waley Cohen, was a part time soldier. When he had to retire prematurely due to ill health in May 1939, he, like Waley Cohen, became Honorary Colonel, Air Formation Signals. We know that he was respected and loved by his men who spoke of themselves as 'John Campbell's family'.