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 | ||
Sep 44 | Allied Forces HQ, 25 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Brindisi, Italy | |
Jan 45 | Allied Forces HQ, 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Leghorn, Italy | |
Apr 45 | Allied Forces HQ, 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Genoa, Italy | |
May 45 | Africans leave the Regiment |
Batteries
Sep 39 | 164, 167, 265 |
Dec 41 | 164, 167, 265, 418 |
Dec 41 | 164, 167, 265 |