History of AFS

Air Formation Signals was formed as an independent signals unit in 1917 to provide ground communications for the Royal Flying Corps, which became the RAF in 1918. These units were incorporated into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1920 when the Signals branch of the Royal Engineers was granted independent Corps status.

This, as I am fond of pointing out to my 'Scalie' friends, makes Air Formation Signals the 'senior' branch of the Corps.

Air Formation Signals, and Air Support Signals came into their own during WW2 when some 21,000 men, despatch riders, linemen, cable-jointers and technicians, served in their ranks in all theatres of the war.

For ease of navigation I did split the history up into four sections, but as the amount of information grew I decided to expand the number of sections dealing with the history of the units. I hope that this will make it easier to find units of interest.

I have also included links to AFS insigna and a very interesting site concerning the LRDG, which, strictly speaking was not part of Air Formation Signals, but does have very strong links with the Royal Signals, it was formed by a Royal Signals Officer, and one of the Squadrons within 21 (AS) Signal Regiment wears the Scorpion badge.