1 Heavy Brigade RA was formed in July 1927 at Plymouth with four batteries. 1 Heavy Regiment RA was re-designated from 1 Heavy Brigade RA in May 1938. After Dunkirk, the Regiment was placed in suspended animation in June 1940 at Market Harborough. 1 Heavy Regiment RA was re-formed in December 1942 at Tonbridge, Kent, with the same batteries. It was re-designated as 27 Heavy 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.
| 3 Sep 39 |  |
Southern Command | Plymouth, Devon, UK |
| Sep 39 | Home Forces | UK | |
| Oct 39 | British Expeditionary Force | France | |
| May 40 | British Expeditionary Force | Dyle River, Belgium | |
| May 40 | British Expeditionary Force | Kemmel Hill, Belgium | |
| 27/31 May 40 | British Expeditionary Force | Dunkirk, France | |
| Jun 40 | Suspended animation | Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK | |
| Dec 42 | Home Forces | Southborough, Kent, UK | |
| Apr 44 |  |
2 Army | UK |
| Jul 44 |  |
2 Canadian Army Group RA | NW Europe |
| Sep 44 | |
2 Canadian Army Group RA | Falaise Gap, France |
| Oct 44 | |
2 Canadian Army Group RA | Belgium |
| Mar 45 | |
2 Canadian Army Group RA | Reichswald, Germany |
| Jun-Oct 45 | Internal Security Duties | Germany | |
| 21 Oct 45 | Returned to RA duties | Germany |
Batteries
| Sep 39 | 3, 5, 16, 28 |
| Aug 45 | 16 Battery designated Super Heavy but remained with the regiment |
Equipment
| Sep 39 | 3 Battery – 6 inch BL Mk 19 Howitzers 5 & 16 Batteries – 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzers 28 Battery – 9.2 inch Howitzers |
| Nov 39 | 5 Battery 4 x 6 inch 26cwt Howitzer, remainder 4 x 8 inch Howitzers each |
| Dec 42 | 7.2 inch Howitzers |
| Mar/May 43 | 5 & 16 Batteries – 155mm Howitzers |
| Mar 45 | 16 Battery used 4 x Russian 12.2cm guns for 2 weeks |
| Oct 45 | 16 Battery issued 2 x 240 mm Guns |