81 Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA (TA) was formed in November 1938 by conversion of 60 (6th Cheshire & Shropshire) Medium Brigade RA (TA). It was re-designated as 81 Anti-Aircraft Regiment in January 1939. In June 1940 it was re-designated as 81 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA). The Regiment was placed in suspended animation in August 1944. 81 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) was reconstituted as 360 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 |
 |
4 Anti-Aircraft Division, 44 Anti-Aircraft Brigade |
Manchester, UK |
| Jun 40 |
 |
Orkney & Shetland Defences (OSDEF) |
Scapa Flow, Orkney, UK |
| Jun 41 |
|
4 Anti-Aircraft Division, 70 Anti-Aircraft Brigade |
Manchester, UK |
| Apr 42 |
 |
War Office Reserve |
UK |
| Aug 42 |
 |
Middle East Forces, 21 Anti-Aircraft Brigade |
Suez Canal zone, Egypt |
| Aug 44 |
|
Suspended animation |
|
Batteries
| Sep 39 |
253 (Cheshire), 254 (Cheshire), 255 (Cheshire) |
| Jun 41 |
253, 254, 255, 416 |
| Apr 42 |
253, 254, 255 |
Equipment
| Sep 39 |
253 Bty – 2 x 3 inch Guns, 254 Bty – 4 x 3 inch Guns, 15 Lewis Guns (Metropolitan-Vickers factory at Trafford Park) |
| Nov 39 |
254 Bty – 32 x Lewis Guns (Metropolitan-Vickers factory at Trafford Park), 255, 416 |
Gun Sites Occupied
253 Battery
| Dates |
Gun Sites |
Comments |
Gun Defended Area |
| Sep 40 – May 41 |
H1 & H3 |
On Hoy |
Scapa |
254 Battery
| Dates |
Gun Sites |
Comments |
Gun Defended Area |
| Sep 40 – Jun 41 |
H5 & H6 |
On Hoy |
Scapa |
255 Battery
| Dates |
Gun Sites |
Comments |
Gun Defended Area |
| Sep 40 – May 41 |
H4 & H7 |
On Hoy |
Scapa |
