The Regiment was re-designated from 3 Field Brigade to 3 Field Regiment RA in May 1938. It was organised on a two battery basis in September 1940. It was subsequently re-organised as three batteries in November 1941. Post war, it was reduced to a cadre in February 1947. In the following April, 3 Field Regiment RA was re-designated 44 Searchlight Regiment RA.
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 | Trimulgherry area | India | |
| Feb 41 | Quetta area | India | |
| Mar 41 |  |
10 Indian Division | Iraq |
| May 42 |  |
5 Indian Division | N Africa |
| Jul 42 |  |
2 South African Division | N Africa |
| Aug 42 |  |
13 Corps | N Africa |
| Sep 42 |  |
7 Armoured Division | N Africa |
| Oct 42 | |
7 Armoured Division | Alamein, Egypt |
| Jan 43 |  |
8 Indian Division | Iraq |
| Apr 43 | |
8 Indian Division | N Africa |
| Sep 43 | |
8 Indian Division | Italy |
| Nov 43 |  |
2 New Zealand Division | Italy |
| Dec 43 | |
8 Indian Division | Italy |
| May 44 | |
8 Indian Division | Cassino, Italy |
| Jun 45 | Home Forces | UK |
Batteries
| Sep 39 | 18, 62, 65, 75 |
| Sep 40 | 18/62, 65/75 |
| Nov 41 | 18, 62, 65/75 |
| Jun 42 | 18/62, 65/75, 308 Anti-Tank |
| Aug 42 | 18, 65/75, 308 Anti-Tank |
| Sep 42 | 18, 65/75 |
| Apr 43 | 18, 65/75, 521 |
| Oct 45 | 18, 64, 65/75 |
Equipment
| 1939 | 18 pdr Guns (18 & 62 Btys), 4.5 inch Howitzers (65 & 75 Btys) |
| Jan 41 | 16 x 4.5 inch Howitzers, Karrier Spider Tractors |
| Apr 41 | 8 x 18 pdr Guns (18/62 Bty), 8 x 4.5 inch Howitzers (65/75 Bty) |
| May 41 | 1 x Troop 18 pdr & 1 Troop 4.5 inch Howitzer per Bty |
| Feb 42 | 25 pdr Guns |
| Sep 42 | Stuart Observation Post tanks |
| Jun 44 | 25 pdrs exchanged for muzzle brake version. |
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.
| Jun 39 | Lieutenant Colonel DJR Richards |
| Feb 40 | Lieutenant Colonel DJ Stevens |
| Mar 41 | Lieutenant Colonel GR Way |
| Sep 41 | Lieutenant Colonel PH Teesdale DSO MC |
| Jun 42 | Lieutenant Colonel FC Bull DSO |
| Sep 44 | Lieutenant Colonel GR Brocklebank MC |
Commendations
The numbers below are the total commendations received by all members of the regiment during the war.
| Distinguished Service Order (DSO) | 3 |
| Military Cross (MC) | 9 |
| Bar to Military Cross | 1 |
| Military Medal (MM) | 12 |
| British Empire Medal (BEM) | 1 |
| Mention in Despatches (MiD) | 11 |
| US Silver Star | 1 |
Page last updated on 9/10/26.