51 (Westmorland & Cumberland) Field Regiment RA (TA)

Converted to 2nd (Cumberland Yeomanry) Army Brigade Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force) from Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry (TF) in March 1920. In 1921 it became 93 (Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry) Brigade RFA (TA). It changed title again in June 1923 to 51 (Westmorland & Cumberland) Brigade RFA (TA). In June 1924 it became 51 (Westmorland & Cumberland) Field Brigade RA (TA). 51 Field Brigade was re-designated 51 (Westmorland & Cumberland) Field Regiment RA (TA) in November 1938 with two batteries. In October 1941 a third battery was formed but was absorbed into the other two batteries 3 months later. It amalgamated with 69 Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment in October 1943 as 51/69 Special Infantry Regiment RA(TA). This unit formed 51 and 69 Columns, 16 Infantry Brigade (Chindits). 51 (Westmorland & Cumberland) Field Regiment RA (TA) went into suspended animation in October 1944.

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 42 (East Lancashire) Infantry Division 51 field regiment RA(TA) 42 Infantry Division Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
Oct 39   Home Forces Wooler, Northumberland, UK
Nov 39   Home Forces Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, UK
Jan 40 42 (East Lancashire) Infantry Division 42 Infantry Division Hungerford, Berkshire, UK
Apr 40   Home Forces – 203 Battery to Norway Norway
May 40   Home Forces – RHQ & 370 Battery Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, UK
Jun 40 46 Infantry Division 51 field regiment RA(TA) 46 Infantry Division – Regiment re-united Loch Leven, Kinross,  UK
Jul 40 46 Infantry Division 46 Infantry Division Cupar, Fife, UK
Oct 40 British Troops Egypt British Troops Egypt Giza, Egypt
Dec 40 6 Australian Division 6 Australian Division Fort Cappuzo, Libya
Jan 41 6 Australian Division 6 Australian Division Tobruk, Libya
Feb 41 13 Corps 13 Corps Beda Littoria, Libya
Mar 41 13 Corps 13 Corps Gazala, Libya
Mar 41 9 Aus Div 9 Australian Division Er Regima, Libya
Apr 41 9 Aus Div 9 Australian Division Tobruk, Libya
Apr 41   Tobruk Garrison Tobruk, Libya
Sep 41 8 Army 8 Army Mersa Matruh, Egypt
Sep 41 8 Army Depot Regiment, School of Artillery Almaza, Egypt
Nov 41 13 Corps 13 Corps Gerawla, Egypt
Nov 41   203 Battery detached to 7 Armoured Division Support Group  

203 Battery

Nov 41 7 Armd Division 7 Armoured Division Sidi Rezegh, Libya
Nov 41   ‘Jock Columns’ Bir Gibni
Jan 42   Reunited with Regiment  

Continued

Nov 41 13 Corps 13 Corps Libya/Egypt border
Dec 41 13 Corps 13 Corps El Gubi, Libya
Dec 41 13 Corps 13 Corps Antelat, Libya
Jan 42   Guards Brigade Got el Cherua, Libya
5 Mar 42   Embarked for Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Suez, Egypt
Mar 42   34 Indian Division Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Feb 43 70 Infantry Division 70 Infantry Division Piska, India
Jul 43 70 Infantry Division 70 Infantry Division Bangalore, India
Oct 43 3 Ind Div Became 51 & 69 Columns, Chindits Bijawar, India
Jan 44 3 Ind Div Chindits Likhapani, India
Feb 44 3 Ind Div Chindits Talap Ga, India
Mar 44 3 Ind Div Crossed 1st & 2nd March Chindwin River, Burma (Myanmar)
Mar 44 3 Ind Div Enemy attacked & town taken Lonkin, Burma (Myanmar)
Apr 44 3 Ind Div Both columns reached the base ‘Aberdeen’, Burma (Myanmar)
May 44 3 Ind Div 51 Column flown out on the 2nd May Assam, India
May 44 3 Ind Div 69 Column to ‘Broadway’ & flown out 2/3 May India
Oct 44   Suspended animation as 51 Field Regiment  

Batteries

1921 369, 370
Jun 23 203, 204, 369, 370
Nov 38 203 (Cumberland), 370 (Cumberland Yeomanry) – 204 & 369 Batteries to 109 Field Regiment
Oct 41 203, 370, 436
Jan 42 203, 370 (436 absorbed into other 2 batteries)
Mar 42 203, 370, 14 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
May 42 203, 370, A (later 587), 14 HAA Battery
Sep 42 14 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery to suspended animation
Jan 43 203, 370

Equipment

Apr 40 203 Battery 25 pdr
Nov 40 25 pdr Guns + 4 x 4.5 inch Howitzers
Mar 41 12 x 18 pdr Guns, 7 x 4.5 inch Howitzers
Apr 41 12 x 25 pdr (203 Bty), 8 x 18 pdr & 4 x 4.5 inch Howitzers (370 Bty)
Sep 41 Chevrolet Quads
Feb 42 24 x 25 pdr (painted 2 shades of dull green in Ceylon)
Sep 43 Guns handed in

 

The Royal Artillery 1939-45