1 Searchlight Regiment RA formed in January 1940 from volunteers from other Searchlight units and personnel transferring from the infantry and Royal Engineers. It took over from 1 AA Battalion RE, which was disbanded. 1 Searchlight Regiment RA was re-designated 78 Searchlight 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.
| Jan 40 | Formed from 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion Royal Engineers |
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| Jan 40 | British Expeditionary Force | France | |
| Feb 40 | 5 Searchlight Brigade | France | |
| May 40 | 5 Searchlight Brigade | La Bassée–Béthune Canal, France |
|
| May 40 | Calais garrison 1 & 2 Batteries (most captured) |
Calais, France | |
| May 40 | 3 & 4 Batteries evacuated | Dunkirk, France | |
| Jul 40 | Re-formed | Codsall, Staffordshire, UK | |
| Sep 40 |  |
5 Anti-Aircraft Division, 45 & 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigades | Cardiff/Swansea, Glamorgan, UK |
| May 41 |  |
9 Anti-Aircraft Division, 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Swansea, Glamorgan, UK |
| Jan 42 | |
5 Anti-Aircraft Division, 27 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | South East England |
| Sep 42 |  |
2 Anti-Aircraft Group, 27 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | South East England |
| Jan 45 |  |
2 Army, 76 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Goes, Holland |
| Dec 45 | Returned to the UK |
Batteries
| Jan 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Jul 40 | 1, 2, 7, 8 |
| Mar 44 | 1, 2, 7 |
Equipment
| 1939/40 | Guy FBAX Searchlight Lorry |
| Feb 45 | AA No 2 Mk VIII* SLC Radar |