From lines to radio transmissions and from analogue to digital, the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs) has kept pace with technology for 100 years on the electronic front line, where today's cyber fight never stops.
A century ago, communication on the battlefield relied largely on line telephone networks, as seen in World War 1, where they connected trenches, bunkers and headquarters positioned at the rear.
World War 2 included an increased use of radio waves and electronic warfare, extending communications across oceans.
In the 1990s, RA Sigs established a computing trade to address the integration of information technology, laying groundwork for a cyber domain that signallers now defend.
RA Sigs Head of Corps Brigadier Deane Limmer explained that while encryption was adequate protection against adversaries two or three decades ago, the internet has made Defence more susceptible to cyberattacks.
"We now know tens of thousands of threats hit our networks daily," Brigadier Limmer said.
"While Defence's strategy is one of deterrence, in the cyber domain, conflict is occurring, with state and non-state actors conducting cyber-attacks as we speak."
Because these systems are integrated across Defence and society, any disruption poses a threat to command and control, requiring RA Sigs to constantly adopt new technologies and tactics.
Signallers aren't simply communication technology experts, they are soldiers who'll find themselves at every corner of the battlefield.
'While Defence's strategy is one of deterrence, in the cyber domain, conflict is occurring, with state and non-state actors conducting cyber attacks as we speak.'
A notable example is Signaller Martin Wallace, of 152 Signals Squadron, who served with the Special Air Service Regiment during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan in 2002.
His patrol was surrounded by enemy forces for 18 hours, facing numerous attacks. Fearing their position would be overrun, he armed a grenade both for close-quarter combat and to booby-trap his own body.
That day was filled with equally dangerous scenarios, where Signaller Wallace's conduct was recognised with a Medal for Gallantry.
A legendary leader of the Corps is Major General Colin Hall Simpson, who was a veteran of both world wars.
Wounded twice in WW1, he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross.
Major General Simpson transferred from the Militia to the Australian Corps of Signals upon its formation in 1925 and oversaw expansion of the corps to about 25,000 members by 1945.
Simpson Barracks was named in his honour.
More recently, RA Sigs had its first member reach a three-star rank, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, who took the position of Chief of Joint Capabilities in 2024.
RA Sigs' 100-year history began with an order on February 14, 1925, for the Australian signallers to separate from the Australian engineers, forming the corps that exists today.
A series of activities will be held throughout the year in celebration, including International Women's Day, Anzac Day and open days, and will conclude with Corps Week celebrations in November.
