54th (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. (T.A.) HQ, 160th-162nd (City of London), 312th Btys: Drill Hall, Lytton Grove, Putney S.W. 15 The regiment served under 48th Anti-Aircraft Brigade at the outbreak of war and was still under command in February 1941. On 6 August 1941, 428th Battery replaced 162nd Battery, but left on 29 December 1941. The regiment was sent to Ceylon in May 1942 and served there under 23rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade in October 1942 and 24th Anti-Aircraft Brigade from February 1943. The regiment was sent then sent to Egypt and was located there in May 1943 under 8th Anti-Aircraft Brigade at Tahag. It later joined 17th Anti-Aircraft Brigade and was located in Tripolitania with the brigade in January 1944. It returned to Egypt with the brigade and was located in the Suez Canal area in June 1944. It remained in Egypt after the brigade was disbanded in October 1944. The regiment and batteries were placed into suspended animation on 27 February 1945.
David, thanks for that. Is it safe to assume that the Regiment was in the U.K only, prior to being sent to Ceylon in May 1942?
David R/David W - can I pick your brains about the 54th Heavy AA Regiment RA. I think Farndale has it arriving in Ceylon on 9th July 1942 and as you have mentioned it joined 23rd AA Brigade in October 1942. Do you know what it did and under what command between July and October 1942? Also, I see from Joslen that 162 Battery appears in East Africa in late 1942. Did the regiment sail with four batteries (160, 161, 162 and 312 Batteries) and 162 was "dropped off" in East Africa? RobG
Farndale's The Far East Theatre 1941-46 has the 54th Heavy AA Regiment RA arriving in Colombo on September 9th, 1942 with 24x3.7-inch AA guns (Static). It then lists that the regiment was at Trincomalee. The 23rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade was not formed until October 10, 1942. I would assume that the regiment remained under Command Troops, Ceylon Army Command while it moved from Colombo to Trincomalee and organised. It probably joined the 23rd AA Brigade on its formation. I have attached a few WO documents on orders of battle for Ceylon. It should be noted that the regiment is not on the August 6, 1942 Order of Battle. I will look into the 162nd Battery and get back to you. David
RobG, Here is what I have found regarding the 162nd Heavy AA Battery, RA. According to Frederick's Lineage Book of the British Land Forces 1660-1978, the battery remained with 54th Heavy AA Regiment, RA in the United Kingdom until August 6th, 1941. On this date it joined 127th Heavy AA Regiment, RA. It remained with 127th Heavy AA Regiment until 30 March 1942 in the United Kingdom, when it became Independent (later in ‘F’ Heavy AA Regiment, RA). ‘F’ Heavy AA Regiment, RA was formed 15 April 1942 at the RA Depot at Woolwich with 162nd Heavy AA Battery RA (ex-127th Heavy AA Regiment RA) and 76th Light AA Battery RA (ex-24th Light AA Regiment RA). In May 1942 all the British personnel of 76th Light AA Battery were absorbed elsewhere and it was disbanded in East Africa on 24 October 1942. ‘F’ Heavy AA Regiment RA along with 162nd Heavy AA Battery RA was disbanded to form 15th (East Africa) Heavy AA Regiment EAA on 14 November 1942 at the East African Artillery Training Centre, nicknamed 'Larkhill', at Athi River to the south-east of Nairobi. Referring to Joslen's Order of Battle, the 162nd Heavy AA Battery was located in East Africa on 16 June 1942 as well as the 76th Light AA Battery. On 13 November 1942, both batteries were listed in East Africa under 'F' Heavy AA Regiment. Obviously, the two batteries (162nd and 76th) were shipped out from the United Kingdom under the auspices of 'F' Heavy AA Regiment sometime after April 1942 and before June 1942. I could not find any details on this movement. I doubt that this movement was connected in any way with 54th Heavy AA Regiment's move to Ceylon, but I am not positive. David
No problem. I like using the resources I have to solve these little problems. If you don't have a copy of Frederick's book, I highly recommend getting a copy particularly regarding the Royal Artillery lineages.
Thanks Hutt. Do you have the war diary for the period of the 54th’s arrival in Ceylon until when it joined 23rd AA Brigade?
Hi Sorry to take a while in replying. The diary I have, WO166/2344 runs to December 41 only. It indicates they were withdrawn from SE London to Cosham in Hampshire and then Mid December to Wakefield and thats where it stops. As mentioned before, if that is still of interest I would be happy to share it.
