I t was Francis Bacon who said, "The worse solitude is to be destitute of
sincere friendship" and the formation of the Birgelen Veterans
Association proves, yet again, how we in the Services realise
what a bounty in life we inherited and are determined to retain.

In 1951 I was the Adjutant to Lt Col Peter Lonnon in 1 Wireless Regiment
in Munster Germany. It was he who designed Mercury Barracks and
who fought long and hard to see that the facilities we all enjoyed
were provided. The result was, in my view, the best barracks the
British Army had anywhere in the world.

Subsequently, when I commanded 13 Signal Regiment from 1969 to
1971, I joined a sequence of Commanding Officers who recognised
it was their duty to maintain and enhance 'the Camp'.
At the closing down ceremony it was clear that this
had undoubtedly happened.

We are all indebted to Fred Searle and Taff Harding for their pioneering.
work in establishing our Birgelen Veterans Association
When allied to the Langeleben Association it shows how
certain military skills foster a community within which
continuing friendship is cherished.
I wish it well.

Peter Baldwin

The Birgelen Website was founded by Fred Searle on the 5th October 2000, using his own website.
It is dedicated to the many professional personnel of all Corps and Agencies regardless of rank or gender, who served with: 1 Wireless Regiment Munster, 13th Signal Regiment Birgelen, or any of their sub-units and to imbue the family tradition of those Regiments.

Cyril Harding one of our founder members, immediately offered to undertake the duties of Secretary, a post he has held with distinction since.
Our first AGM/Reunion so professionally organised by Cyril, was held at the Trecarn Hotel in Babbacombe Torquay on the 22/23 September 2001. At the same time, the name ''Birgelen Veterans Association'' was formally proposed and adopted.

It was further proposed that Major General P.A.C. Baldwin CBE, former Adjutant of 1 Wireless Regiment and Commanding Officer of 13 Signal Regiment (Radio), be asked to become the President of the Association. He graciously accepted and was appointed to this office on Tuesday 25th Sept 2001.

Thanks to Peter Clifton's design work, we moved to our own website in October 2001. The web domain name www.birgelenvets.org, and the Email address webmaster@birgelenvets.org, have been purchased and registered by the Association.

By our first anniversary, we had reunited many dozens of members with old friends and our membership had grown to 164. By December 2001, it had grown to over 200. Now international in outlook, our members include those from Australia, Belize, Canada, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and the USA.

The Association was granted Affiliated membership of the Royal Signals Association by the Central Committee of the RSA on the 04 April 2003.

The 24 September 2003, saw the launch of the BVA charity (Raphael Geiser charity)

In July 2006, our website had recorded over 100,000 unique visitors.
By October 2007, our membership had grown to over 400 members and we had celebrated our seventh successful annual reunion.

We welcome all eligible applicants from those willingly to share our aims and who wish to play their part.

Whether you wish to join us or just browse, please feel free, but we would ask that you place an entry in our Guest Book to record your visit.

Thank you