What Signallers Did in WWI

Signallers are responsible for military communications telling wartime commanders where their troops were, what they’re doing, and whether they have sufficient supplies.

Requirements to become a signaller
In 1914 signals were the responsibility of the Royal Australian Engineers, and a syllabus for the grading of signallers was announced. Sappers (signallers) had to be proficient in map reading, and in Morse code signalling on flag, lamp and heliograph. Successful candidates were classified as first-class signallers and wore crossed flags with a star on their right forearm. Those with slower speeds qualified as second-class signallers and wore the flags without the star. Signallers were also dispatch riders. They usually supplied their own bicycles or motorbikes.

During the war
With the outbreak of the First World War the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) had to recruit signallers for each new division that was raised as well as for individual battalions. Most recruits were chosen after passing a Morse code reading test, which gave their unit some basic proficiency.

Signallers at Anzac
As soon as the Australians landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, the AIF established a divisional signal office. The men laid wires between the divisional headquarters and the advanced brigades. By midnight, the Headquarters' signallers sat with telephones and message-forms, constantly in touch with the brigades.

The sappers were particularly exposed to danger from enemy snipers when they manually signalled, if an army moved to quickly to establish a telephone network, or in the repair of telephone lines, frequently blown up by ordnance. As dispatch messengers, they had to ride or run with messages throughout the trenches.

By Shannon Lovelady
Story from A Signaller’s Story Exhibit

(Department of Veterans’ Affairs) (2019), Australian signallers in World War I, DVA Anzac Portal, accessed 15 April 2021, http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-andmissions/ww1/personnel/army-life/signaller