In 1884 the RE established a Telegraph Battalion, organised into two 'divisions', of which 2nd Division in London handled communications for the higher levels of command in conjunction with the General Post Office.

These merged in 1911 to form 'A' Signal Company at Aldershot to provide communications for I Corps in the event of mobilisation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).

Sub-units were moved between formations as required: by the end of the war L and M Cable Sections were serving with VIII Corps[10] and GHQ Italy respectively.

[2][7] After establishing defences along the French frontier during the Phoney War period, the BEF advanced into Belgium in accordance with 'Plan D' initiated after the German offensive in the west opened on 10 May 1940.

[18] I Corps acted as rearguard, forming a defensive perimeter around the port while the evacuation went on, the last troops that could be rescued leaving on 4 June.

[25] Having failed to seize Caen on D Day, I Corps was engaged in heavy fighting in the area for several weeks.

After the liberation of Caen, the corps continued to hold the left flank of the bridgehead, supporting Operation Goodwood, and coming under First Canadian Army as the forces ashore were built up.

[27] It then moved on to Antwerp: the city had quickly fallen to 21st Army Group's advanced elements, but there was a prolonged campaign to clear the approaches to the port, after which I Corps held the line of the River Maas for the winter.

I Corps' role was limited to liberating the Netherlands and securing the lines of communication for 21st Army Group.

[30] After VE Day I Corps took over administration of a very wide area of occupied Germany and the unit became 1st Corps District Signal Regiment of nine squadrons, including one composed of Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) women, and two from captured Wehrmacht signal companies.

[2][34] In September 1991 its 1 Squadron deployed to Saudi Arabia to reinforce 1st Armoured Division HQ and Signal Rgt in the 1st Gulf War.

In September 1972 the regiment was awarded the Freedom of the City of Herford and in 1997 of Krefeld, strengthening its ties with the western German areas.