Signals Gallery

The Naze Tower, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

The Naze Tower at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. An historic landmark, it was built on the cliffs in 1721 by Trinity House as a navigation mark to guide shipping. The 86-feet tall octagonal tower has played an important part in maritime history and is Grade II* listed, as the only building of its type and era in the UK. Seen here in the days when the only communication to shipping approaching Harwich was by semaphore signalling or a display of flags.
circa 1900

© Mary Evans Picture Library/The Pete Frost Collection

Capital ship of a modern battle fleet by G. H. Davis

The capital ship of a modern battle fleet: a drawing of a typical British aircraft carrier, showing the general arrangements between decks, and two British innovations. Date: 1953

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

1950s, 1953, 50s, Aircraft, Battle, British, Capital, Carrier, Cross, Davis, Decks, Drawing, Fifties, Fleet, Historical, History, Iln, Modern, Naval, Navy, Royal, Sea, Section, Semaphore, Ship, Ships, Signals, Transport, Warship, Warships

Signallers with the King?s African Rifles

Photograph: Signallers with the King?s African Rifles taking down a message, 1943. Captioned: Signaller taking down a messge. Signals units made an invaluable contribution to the success of the King?s African Rifles in Burma. Signallers faced a plethora of difficulties in the harsh climate. These included steep hills, torrential monsoon rainfall, heat and humidity, which all served to block or weaken radio signals. This combined with the weight and limited reliability of the radio sets, the problems with batteries and charging engines, the constant laying and repairing of telephone cable, illustrates the magnitude of their achievement in maintaining effective communications during the campaign. From collection of photographs of King?s African Rifles during World War Two (1939-1945). 41 loose leaves containing 93 photographs. Date: 1943

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library