143 (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA (TA) was formed as a duplicate of 97 (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment in July 1939 with two batteries . The Regiment moved to Iceland in November 1940. In May 1941 a third battery was formed in Iceland. It returned to the UK in April 1942, joining 49 Infantry Division. 143 (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA (TA) went into suspended animation in April 1946 and was disbanded in January 1947.
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.
(Title authorised February 1942)
| Jul 39 |  |
Eastern Command | Ashford, Kent, UK |
| Sep 40 |  |
5 Corps | Hursley, Hampshire, UK |
| Nov 40 | Alabaster Force | Alafoss, Iceland | |
| Jul 41 | Alabaster Force | Geithals, Iceland | |
| Sep 41 | Alabaster Force | Bunkers Hill, Iceland | |
| Dec 41 | 386 Battery returns to UK | ||
| May 42 |  |
49 Infantry Division | Pontypridd, Glamorgan, UK |
| Jun 42 | |
49 Infantry Division | Penybont, Glamorgan, UK |
| Oct 42 | |
49 Infantry Division | Llangattock, Powys, UK |
| Jan 43 | |
49 Infantry Division | Pontypridd, Glamorgan, UK |
| Jul 43 | |
49 Infantry Division | Newmilns, Ayrshire, UK |
| Feb 44 | |
49 Infantry Division | Hemsby, Norfolk, UK |
| 11 Jun 44 | |
49 Infantry Division | Rucqueville, France |
| Jul 44 | |
49 Infantry Division | Giberville, France |
| Aug 44 | |
49 Infantry Division | Bourneville, France |
Batteries
| Jul 39 | 386 (Duke of Connaughts Own Yeomanry), 388 (Queens Own Yeomanry) |
| May 41 | 386, 388, 507 |
| Jan 43 | 190, 388, 507 |
Equipment
| May 42 | Guy Quad Ant Tractors |
| Aug 43 | M7 105mm SP Priest, Sherman Tanks |
| Jan 44 | 12 x M7’s handed over to other units |
| Mar 44 | 25 pdr Guns |
Commanding Officers
The dates shown below are the month for when the applicable officer took charge of the regiment. Note that the ranks shown are the rank of the officer when they took charge, and do not include wartime/temporary ranks.
| Sep 39 | Lieutenant Colonel FN Richardson TD |
| Sep 42 | Lieutenant Colonel WJN Norman Walker MBE |
| May 43 | Lieutenant Colonel DS Hamilton DSO |
| Jul 44 | Lieutenant Colonel EHN Rees-Webb |
| Sep 44 | Lieutenant Colonel DS Hamilton DSO |
| Jul 45 | Lieutenant Colonel CDT Pope |
Commendations
The numbers below are the total commendations received by all members of the regiment during the war.
| Distinguished Service order (DSO) | 1 |
| Military Cross (MC) | 5 |
| Military Medal (MM) | 1 |
| Member of the British Empire (MBE) | 1 |
| Croix de Guerre Gilt Star | 1 |
| Croix de Guerre Bronze Star | 1 |
| Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) | 16 |
| Commander in Chief’s Certificate | 17 |
Page last updated on 25/10/25.