56 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) was formed as a duplicate of 52 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Oswaldtwistle, in June 1939. The Regiment took part in the Norway campaign. It moved to North Africa in July 1942 and to Italy in September 1943. The Regiment was placed in suspended animation in March 1945. 56 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) was re-constituted as 556 (East Lancashire) 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 | Home Forces | Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, UK | |
| Apr 40 | 6 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Norway | |
| Jun 40 | Home Forces | Dunfermline, Fife, UK | |
| Jan 41 |  |
8 Support Group | UK |
| Jul 42 | |
8 Support Group | N Africa |
| Jul 42 | |
8 Armoured Division | N Africa |
| Nov 42 |  |
10 Corps, 8 Army | N Africa |
| May 43 |  |
Allied Forces HQ | N Africa |
| Sep 43 |  |
8 Army | Italy |
| Apr 44 |  |
US 5 Army, 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Italy |
| Mar 45 | Suspended animation |
Batteries
| Sep 39 | 166, 167, 168 |
Equipment
| Apr 40 | Bofors 40 mm |