56 Anti-Aircraft Brigade was formed in September 1939 as a “Light” Brigade at Uxbridge, London and later moved to Chelmsford, Essex. It deployed as part of 6 Anti-Aircraft Brigade at Uxbridge. When the divisions were abolished in Oct 1942, it became part of 2 Anti-Aircraft Group and later 1 Anti-Aircraft Group.
56 Anti-Aircraft Brigade went into suspended animation in June 1945.
Illustrations of the formation badges under which a unit served or supported are given. This is no guarantee that the unit used this formations badge.
Sep 39 | Uxbridge |  | 6 Anti-Aircraft Division |
1940 | Chelmsford |  | 6 Anti-Aircraft Division |
Oct 42 | London |  | 2 Anti-Aircraft Group |
Oct 44 | London |  | 1 Anti-Aircraft Group |
Order of Battle 1939
11 (City of London Yeomanry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
12 (Finsbury Rifles) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
16 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
17 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
Order of Battle 1940-41
16 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
29 (Kent) Searchlight Regiment |
73 (Kent Fortress) Searchlight Regiment |
Order of Battle 1941-42
4 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – Joined Spring 42 |
69 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – Joined Jan, left Feb 42 |
86 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – Joined Jan, left Apr 42 |
50 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – Joined Mar 42 |
29 Searchlight Regiment – Left Jan 42 |
73 Searchlight Regiment |
6 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – Left Summer 41 |
12 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – Joined Mar 41, left Jan 42 |
Order of Battle May 1942
84 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – Joined Aug, left Sep 42 |
101 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – Joined Jun, left Jul 42 |
4 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
66 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – Joined Jun 42, to 71 Anti-Aircraft Brigade same month |
28 Searchlight Regiment – Joined Jun 42 |
32 Searchlight Regiment – Joined Aug 42 |
73 Searchlight Regiment |