The requirement for long range communications can be traced back to WW2 and to such units as Coast Watchers, New
Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company and the Z Special Unit. In early 1958 the idea of Special Communications was
raised in the Australian Army.
On the 30th April 1958 the Chief of General Staff, LTGEN Sir Ragnor Garret KBE CB saw the proposal ( 007/1958 titled
"Administrative Support By the Australian Armed Services for the Joint Clandestine Organisation (JCO) in Limited
War" - Personnel ) and agreed to raising of No 1 Independent Signals Squadron.
January 1960 saw the raising of 301 Signal Squadron (Home Defence) at Lidcombe NSW, the Squadron's role being to
provide long range communications for Commando type operations. With the technology available at the time this
required Morse operators with manpack, battery operated equipment. The security of transmissions dictated manual
encoding, a time consuming task.
Now that permission was given to the raising of 301 Signal Squadron (Home Defence) there was a concerted drive
to recruit members. Efforts were made to entice former PMG Telegraphists, WW2 veterans, National Serviceman and
former Regular Army soldiers to enlist. It was hoped that by recruiting people with previous experience it would
reduce the amount of time and effort required to train them.
There have been several major changes since 301 Sig Sqn was raised in 1960. The first in 1965 when it was redesignated
as 126 Signal Squadron (Special Forces) and then the following year saw the re-location to the Albert Park depot
in Melbourne. During the next two decades, two more re-locations took place, in 1972 from Albert Park
to temporary accommodation at Watsonia Barracks, then in 1984 a new, dedicated complex at Simpson Barracks
(formerly Watsonia Barracks) to house the Squadron.
In 1980 after relinquishing its independent role and becoming a member of the newly formed 1st Commando Regiment,
126 Sig Sqn had to realign its operation to accommodate the Regiments need for infantry orientated signallers.
Around 2000, 126 Sig Sqn (now ARA) became part of 4 RAR (Cdo) and a re-raised 301 Sig Sqn (now ARES) was tasked to provided signal support to the 1st Commando Regiment with a troop at 1 Cdo Coy (NSW) and 2 Cdo Coy (Vic)