The Regiment was raised in 1900 as 32 Brigade Royal Field Artillery. The Brigade was re-numbered as 16 Brigade in November 1922. In June 1924 it changed designation from Royal Field Artillery to 16 Field Brigade Royal Artillery. It was re-designated as 16 Field Regiment RA from 16 Field Brigade in May 1938 on a two battery basis. It re-organised to a three battery set up in June 1940. The Regiment spent the entire war in close support of 2 Infantry Division. Post war the 16 Field Regiment RA became 42 Field Regiment RA in April 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.
| 3 Sep 39 |  |
2 Infantry Division | Ewshott, Hampshire, UK |
| Sep 39 | |
2 Infantry Division | France |
| Jun 40 |  |
2 Infantry Division | UK |
| Jun 42 | |
2 Infantry Division | India |
| Apr 44 | |
2 Infantry Division | Burma (Myanmar) |
| Apr 45 | |
2 Infantry Division | India |
Batteries
| May 22 | 27, 34, 72, 86 |
| May 38 | 27/72, 34/86 |
| Jun 40 | 27, 34, 72/86 |
Equipment
| Sep 39 | 24 x 18/25 pdr Guns |
| May 43 | 27 Battery – 3.7 inch Howitzer |
| Sep 43 | 34 Battery – 105mm Self Propelled Priest |
| Apr 44 | 2 x 5.5 inch guns join 72/86 Battery |
| May 44 | 34 Battery – 25 pdr |
| 1944 | Universal Carrier Observation Post |
| Mar 45 | 24 x 25 pdr |