61st (Middlesex) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. (T.A.) HQ, 171st Bty: 17 Penton Street, Pentonville N 1 170th, 195th Btys: Finchley N.W. 11 The regiment served under 37th AA Brigade at the outbreak of war and was still under command of the brigade in February 1941 in the Thames North area. The regiment left Gourock, Scotland on 30 September 1941 and arrived at Basra on 4 December. On arrival, it formed part of 8th AA Brigade, but joined 17th AA Brigade in January 1942. It was withdrawn from Iraq to the Middle East with the brigade in March 1942 and served under 17th AA Brigade at El Alamein in October 1942. It advanced with the brigade to the Tobruk area in January 1943 and was still there at the end of the campaign in May 1943. In mid-September 1943 the regiment arrived in Sicily and came under command of 73rd AA Brigade. It remained with the brigade in Sicily until February 1944. It then went to Italy and served under 25th AA Brigade there from September 1944 until the brigade was disbanded in February 1945. It then remained in Italy and was serving under 71st AA Brigade there at the end of the war.
Thanks for that. Do we know when it was fit for action in the Middle East in 1942? March, June or not until used in October?
902 Coy RASC seem to have had cause to mention them in their diaries on the following occasions while they were themselves based at Finchely 09 07 1941 09.30 All officers in for a general talk from me & Capt Burn. 61st Regt are moving in today with their own transport. 14.30 Inspected White City w/s * Sec 1. Both very good. Capt Burn inspected Wandsworth. 11 07 1941 09.00 10 vehicles ??? To Hatfield to move 502 S/L Bty back from camp. 11.00 Called at 61st HAA RHQ & saw Col Bushman?? Who is in difficulties with his new transport. I suggested he should speak to C.R.A.S.C. & ask for a course for his drivers etc. 15.00 Brig Spafford arrived with CRASC & had a quick look round. He appeared quite satisfied. 20 07 1941 11.00 Capt Burn to Wandsworth & met Major Alderson there. 900 Coy are taking over & will run a junior N.C.O's course there for a fortnight commencing tomorrow. 17.00 2 Lt Arbery?? expected the move to be going all night but was having petrol trouble with the 15 G.M.C. vehicles on loan from 61st Regt. 20.00 2 Lt Ashbury?? reported his arrival at Nettlebed & requested a petrol tanker as there was not enough in the Regt. C.S.M. L?? left at 21.15 hrs with tankers & 6 more towing vehicles for Thame. 21 vehicles have been moving Home Guard today on local exercises. 22 07 1041 03.00 Last vehicles arrived in. 10.00 Visited ?? R.H.Q. but they have no trouble. 11.00 Visited ??? House & Banstead sites. The formet want a lot of rubble carting for their new gun pits & command park. At the latter I found a move in progress. 333 & 171 Bty's were changing over. 15.30 Visited 271 Bty at Barking Park & found they need a great deal of rubble for construction work. They already have 3 of our vehicles attached. 23 07 1941 11.00 Visited Wandsworth w/s & found the move to Sudbury almost completed. They will finish early this afternoon. 12.00 Inspected White City workshops. They are fairly quiet just now. 15.00 To 61st R.H.Q with a suggested training programme from Col Folkes to Col Bushman . At first glance they thought it would be very useful. Nothing later I'm afraid and from a quick glance I can't see it mentioned in the 1st AA Division diaries which cover 4 AA Brigades accross North London. Does anyone know which Division 37 AA Brigade was part of?
In May 1940 men from 170 Battery were defending Hornchurch Aerodrome. During the Blitz some were stationed near King George V Docks. They went to Gourock via Goole in Yorkshire amd at Gourock found dockers threatening to strike as they wanted danger money for handling ammunition. Many departed from Gourock on the SS Andes sailing across the Atlantic before coming back to Freetown then Durban before reaching Bombay. At Bombay they were called back to Iraq following the uprising by Rashid Ali. Basra to Baghdad then across to Palestine down the Jordan Valley and across to Egypt. They were involved in action prior to Alamein. Used 3.7s as anti tank guns against the Germans when they broke out through the American sector of the Maruth Line.
Hi, does anyone know of any books/literature/resources relating to the 61st during the war? My great grandfather was part of 171st bty and I'm trying to get a better picture of his time. Also if anyone knows what division the regiment comes under that would be grand. Thanks Jess
From the history posted above it wasn't under any division, but rather part of the central AA forces. All the best Andreas
