‘THE LONGEST CAMP’

A dispatch rider arrives at a TA Royal Signals unit camp with the order from the War Office to mobilise. TA units who were at Annual Camp in September 1939 were immediately mobilised on the outbreak of war, and did not return home for 6 years. 

This print is reproduced from one of four oil paintings commissioned by the Royal Corps of Signals in 2008 on the occasion of the Centenary of the Territorial Army, to mark the contribution of Volunteers to the Royal Corps of Signals and Army communications.

‘TA units who were at Annual Camp in September 1939 were immediately mobilised on the outbreak of war and did not return home for 6 years. This scene captures the moment when a dispatch rider arrives at a TA Royal Signals unit camp with the order from the War Office to mobilise. The CO, a TA officer who works for the GPO and saw service in the First World War, is contemplating what this means. His regular Adjutant is shocked but excited, while the RSM, a man with extensive service in the last conflict and more recently in India, remains suitably impassive. Training has been interrupted and soldiers are being quickly mustered for the CO’s announcement.

The scene shows the bell-tents typical of between-the-wars camps while uniform is the 1930’s pattern, later to be replaced by battledress. Other details include the Morris car with its fitted wireless set (a dismounted set is in one of the tents) and the dispatch rider and motor-cycle. This scene draws heavily on camp photographs of TA Divisional Signal Regiments from 35 Signal Regiment. The motor vehicles will be familiar to anyone who has visited the Royal Signals Museum.’

Royal Corps of Signals.