76 (Gloucestershire) Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA (TA) was formed in November 1938 by conversion of 66 (South Midland) Field Brigade RA (TA). It was re-designated as 76 Anti-Aircraft Regiment in January 1939, regaining its “Gloucestershire” title in July. In June 1940 it was re-designated as 76 (Gloucestershire) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA). It served in the UK until November 1942 when it moved to North Africa. It subsequently served in Sicily and Italy. The Regiment was placed in suspended animation in November 1945. 76 (Gloucestershire) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA)was reconstituted as 266 (Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery) 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 | 5 Anti-Aircraft Division | Bristol, UK | |
Nov 40 | 8 Anti-Aircraft Division, 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Bristol, UK | |
Nov 41 | 8 Anti-Aircraft Division, 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Bristol, UK | |
Sep 42 | War Office Reserve | UK | |
Nov 42 | Allied Forces HQ | Algiers, Algeria | |
Jan 43 | 1 Army, 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Algeria | |
May 43 | 1 Army, 52 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Bizerta, Tunisia | |
Jul 43 | 8 Army, 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Syracuse, Sicily | |
Sep 43 | 8 Army, 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Italy | |
Oct 43 | 8 Army, 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Bari, Italy | |
Apr 44 | US 5 Army, 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Rome area, Italy | |
Feb 45 | Diluted by African Pioneer Corps men | ||
Apr 45 | US 5 Army, 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Lombardy Plain, Italy |
Batteries
Sep 39 | 236, 237, 238 (Bristol) |
May 41 | 236, 237, 238, 349 |
Jan 42 | 236, 237, 349, 480 |
May 42 | 236, 237, 349 |
Gun Sites Occupied
(Site – */* = old site/new site)
237 Battery
Dates | Site | Gun Defended Area |
25 Sep 39 | BAC Filton (Lewis Guns) | Bristol |
27 Oct 39 | B2/1 Portbury | Bristol |
17 Mar 40 | P11 Moorlands | Portsmouth |
30 Mar 40 | S23 Nursling | Southampton |
13 Apr 40 | IW13 Whippingham | Isle of Wight |
27 Apr 40 | Bramley | |
4 May 40 | P4 Holbrook | Portsmouth |
19 May 40 | P21 Southwich | Portsmouth |
22 May 40 | Tangmere | |
5 Jun 40 | B4/5 Cribbs | Bristol |
23 Jun 40 | B3/7 Rockingham Farm | Bristol |
13 Aug 40 | B4/5 Cribbs | Bristol |
12 Oct 40 | B3/7 Rockingham Farm | Bristol |
5 Nov 40 | B4/5 Cribbs | Bristol |
6 Feb 41 | B3/7 Rockingham Farm | Bristol |
5 Apr 41 | B4/5 Cribbs | Bristol |
16 May 41 | B8/19 Reservoir | Bristol |
18 Sep 41 | B3/7 Rockingham Farm | Bristol |
7 Oct 41 | B9 Avonmouth | Bristol |
10 Nov 41 | Dover | |
14 Jan 42 | Yeovil | |
3 Jul 42 | D7 Western Heights | Dover |
349 Battery
Dates | Site | Gun Defended Area |
Nov 40 | B12/15 Hanham | Bristol |
25 Nov-3 Dec 40 | B10/9 Almondsbury | Bristol |
3-18 Dec 40 | B10/9 Almondsbury
B12/15 Hanham |
Bristol |
30 Jan-6 Sep 41
18 May-6 Sep 41 |
B7/17 Whitchurch
18 Chew |
Bristol |
6 Sep-8 Oct 41 | B1/3 Gordano
4 St George’s Wharf |
Bristol |
8 Oct 41-23 Mar 42 |
1/2 Nothe 2/5 Wyke 5/4 Southwell |
Portland/Weymouth |
23-31 Mar 42 | Blandford Forum Training Camp | |
1 Apr-15 May 42 | Bedhampton Camp 2, Havant | |
15 May-19 Jun 42 | Jeskins Court (TS15 Cobam ?)
TS18 Green Street Green Strood (TS8 Tower Hill ?) |
Thames & Medway |
19 Jun-3 Jul 42 | TS15 Cobham | Thames & Medway |
7 Jul-26 Sep 42 | D1 Farthingloe
D11 Hawkinge |
Dover |