The Regiment was formed by conversion of 7th Battalion The Essex Regiment (TA) to 59 (The Essex Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA (TA) in December 1935. It was re-designated as 59 (The Essex Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) in January 1939 and became 59 (The Essex Regiment) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) in June 1940. The Regiment was placed in suspended animation in November 1945. 59 (The Essex Regiment) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) was reconstituted as 459 (The Essex Regiment) (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft 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.
| Sep 39 |  |
6 Anti-Aircraft Division, 37 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Thames North, UK |
| Sep 40 |  |
12 Anti-Aircraft Division, 42 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Glasgow, UK |
| Dec 41 | |
6 Anti-Aircraft Division, 28 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Thames South, UK |
| Dec 41 |  |
8 Anti-Aircraft Division, 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Bristol, UK |
| Aug 42 |  |
War Office Reserve | UK |
| Jan 43 |  |
1 Army, 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Bone, Algeria |
| Sep 43 | |
1 Army, 52 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Bizerta, Tunisia |
| Oct 43 |  |
Allied Forces HQ, 22 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Naples, Italy |
| Jun 44 | Regiment “Diluted” with African soldiers | ||
| Oct 44 | |
Allied Forces HQ, 25 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Brindisi, Italy |
| Dec 44 | |
Allied Forces HQ, 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Leghorn, Italy |
| May 45 | Africans leave the Regiment |
Batteries
| Sep 39 | 164, 167, 265 |
| Dec 41 | 164, 167, 265, 418 |
| Dec 41 | 164, 167, 265 |