8 (Belfast) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (SR) was formed as 8 Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA(SR) at Belfast in January 1939. It was re-designated as 8 (Belfast) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (SR) in May 1940. In January 1943 it was deemed a War Formed unit. Despite this it was considered perpetuated by a reconstituted TA unit – 245 (Belfast) (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA(TA) in January 1947. The War Formed Regiment was re-designated 56 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA in April 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 | Home Forces | Belfast, UK | |
| Nov 39 | 3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade less 21 Battery with 4 Anti-Aircraft Brigade |
France | |
| May 40 |  |
1 Anti-Aircraft Division | London, UK |
| Jul 42 |  |
Eastern Army, 1 Indian Anti-Aircraft Brigade | India |
| Jan 43 |  |
14 Indian Division | India |
| Feb 43 | 88 Indian Infantry Brigade | India | |
| Apr 43 | |
Eastern Army, 13 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | India |
| Nov 43 |  |
15 Indian Corps | Burma (Myanmar) |
| May 44 | |
15 Indian Corps | India |
| Oct 44 | |
15 Indian Corps | Burma (Myanmar) |
| Apr 45 | 34 Indian Corps | India | |
| Jun 45 | 164 Line of Communication | India |
Batteries
| Sep 39 | 21, 22, 23, 5 Light Anti-Aircraft |
| May 40 | 21, 22, 23 |