1 Searchlight Regiment 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. The Regiment was re-designated 78 Searchlight Regiment RA in April 1947.
| Jan 40 | Formed from 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion Royal Engineers |
|
| 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 | 45 & 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 5 Anti-Aircraft Division | Cardiff/Swansea, Glamorgan, UK |
| May 41 | 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | UK |
| Jan 42 | 21 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | South East England |
| Sep 42 | 27 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 2 Anti-Aircraft Group | South East England |
| Jan 45 | 76 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 2 Army | Goes, Holland |
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 |
