Formed as 3 East Lancashire Brigade Royal Field Artillery (TF) in February 1920. It became 53 (East Lancashire) Brigade Royal Field Artillery (TA) in 1921. The Brigade was re-named as 53 (Bolton) Brigade RFA (TA) in 1922. The designation changed again in June 1924. The Brigade became 53 (Bolton) Field Brigade RA (TA). The Regiment was redesignated 53 (Bolton) Field Regiment RA (TA) from 53 (Bolton) Field Brigade in November 1938 on a two battery basis. A third battery was formed in March 1941. 53 (Bolton) Field Regiment RA (TA) was re-organised in November 1945 as 53 (Field) Holding Regiment RA (TA). It was placed in suspended animation in June 1945 and was reconstituted as 253 (Bolton) Field Regiment RA (TA) 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.
| 3 Sep 39 |  |
42 (East Lancashire) Infantry Division | Bolton, Lancashire, UK |
| May 40 | |
42 (East Lancashire) Infantry Division | France |
| Nov 41 |  |
76 Infantry Division | UK |
| Aug 42 |  |
Middle East Forces | N Africa |
| Jan 43 |  |
8 Indian Division | Iraq |
| May 43 | |
8 Indian Division | Syria |
| Sep 43 | |
8 Indian Division | Italy |
| May 44 | |
8 Indian Division | Cassino, Italy |
| Jul 45 | Home Forces | UK |
Batteries
| 1921 | 209, 210, 211, 212 |
| Nov 38 | 209, 210 (East Lancashire) – 211 & 212 Batteries to 111 Field Regiment |
| Mar 41 | 209, 210, 438 |
Equipment
| Sep 39 | 18 pdr Guns |