The Regiment was re-designated in May 1938 from 5 Field Brigade to 5 Field Regiment RA. It was organised on a two battery basis from four batteries in January 1940. It was subsequently re-organised as three batteries in January 1941. They were captured in February 1942 in Malaya. They were re-formed in June 1943 at New Alresford, Hampshire. This was because 187 Field Regiment were disbanding and they re-formed from them. The Regiment was converted to 5 Light Regiment RA in June 1945 and changed back to 5 Field Regiment RA three months later. Post war, it was reduced to a cadre in January 1947 and in the April re-designated as 43 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 | Rawalpindi area | India | |
| Feb 40 | Nowshera area | India | |
| Nov 41 | 28 Indian Infantry Brigade | Malaya | |
| Dec 41 | 22 Indian Infantry Brigade | Malaya | |
| Jan 42 | 8 Indian Infantry Brigade | Malaya | |
| Jan 42 | 54 Infantry Brigade | Malaya | |
| Feb 42 | Captured | ||
| Jun 43 | Re-formed | New Alresford, Hampshire, UK | |
| Jun 43 |  |
47 Infantry Division | UK |
| 1944 |  |
55 Infantry Division | UK |
| Jun 45 | Became 5 Light Regiment |
Batteries
| Oct 39 | 63, 64, 73, 81 |
| Jan 40 | 63/81, 73 |
| Jan 41 | 63, 64/73, 81 |
| Aug 41 | 63, 73, 81 |
Equipment
| Nov 41 | 16 x 4.5 inch Howitzers |
