Does anyone have the war diaries or a history of 54th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) LAA Regiment, RA? The regiment was originally the 9th Battalion of the Argylls and was converted to RA in 1939. I am trying to find the regiment's locations for 1943 and 1944. Any help would be appreciated.
I am sure someone will come forward with help. If not I recently obtained information on the A&SH from their museum via its internet site. They copied me relevant pages from the Unit history I was interest in. No charge but appreciate a small donation. Brian
I have the regimental history. The section that covers the period from 1943-44 is covered in pages 39-75. Please PM me and we can make arrangements. Here is a brief summary in the meantime: 54th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. (T.A.) HQ, 160th Bty: Dumbarton Castle 161st Bty: Alexandria 162nd Bty: Clyde Bank The regiment arrived in France on 26 September 1939 and was serving under command of 1st AA Brigade at Arras in November 1939, less 162nd Battery under 3rd AA Brigade at Le Havre. It became the Light AA Regiment of III Corps on its arrival in January and served under III Corps in France and Belgium until May 1940. On 10 May, the regiment was located at Verdin. It advanced with III Corps and was located at Oudenarde on 18 May. It was later engaged in actions at Caestre, Cassel and Estaires as well as at Dunkirk. It assembled at Llandudno on return to England. 162nd Battery remained detached under 12th AA Brigade as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force. 162nd Battery was located at Rouvres and Vassincourt. It later withdrew through Cherbourg rather than Dunkirk with the rest of the regiment. After returning to the United Kingdom, it served in the air defence and formed part of 44th AA Brigade in Manchester in February 1941. It then joined 9th Support Group from 16 March 1941 to 11 June 1942 and 9th Armoured Division from 12 June 1942 to 2 March 1944 in the United Kingdom. The regiment moved to France in August 1944 and deployed under 74th AA Brigade in the Seine Crossing and Rouen on 30 August 1944. It was withdrawn from there on 10 September and arrived at Antwerp with the brigade on 24 September. 161st Battery was detached to 103rd AA Brigade at Boulogne on 15 October. The regiment less this battery moved to Ostend on 1 October under 75th AA Brigade. It next moved to the Scheldt under 5th Royal Marine AA Brigade on 7 October 1944. It transferred to 105th AA Brigade in Scheldt South on 10 November 1944 less 161st Battery at Ostend under 75th AA Brigade. The regiment remained in the South Scheldt area and was serving under 75th AA Brigade there at the end of the campaign.
