145th Light-Anti Aircraft Troop, R.A.

The 145th L.A.A. Troop was formed at Ardeer on 26th October 1939 by the redesignation of ‘B’ Troop, 56th Battery, 18th L.A.A. Regiment R.A.  During 1940, the Battery deployed to the Glasgow area.  In March 1941, the 56th Battery made preparations for mobilisation for overseas duty, including re-organisation as three lettered troops – ‘A’ – ‘C’.  On 17th March, the Battery moved to the Lochhead Works, Lochwinnoch outside Glasgow, where it began training for the mobile role.[1] 

On 27th March 1941, 475 Troop left to be attached to the 99th L.A.A. Battery, R.A.  The Battery moved to Annan on 14th May.  On 16th May, the Battery was ordered to make three independent troops ready to move; and later that the Battery complete was to move.  However, on 18th May it was then confirmed that the Battery would not proceed overseas as a complete unit.  On 23rd May, ‘A’ Troop moved to Paisley and ‘B’ Troop to Nitshill, the former attached to the 1st Royal Marine Battalion, the latter to the 73rd Independent Infantry Brigade.  Battery H.Q. and ‘C’ Troop reverted to A.D.G.B. for return to the 18th L.A.A. Regiment, R.A. to form a third battery for that regiment.  ‘C’ Troop was warned for overseas service on 10th June, but joined Battery H.Q. at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh.  The Battery H.Q. moved to Edinburgh under War Office orders  on 16th June 1941 for re-mobilisation.  It was struck off strength of the 18th Regiment on 1st July 1941.[2]

The 145th L.A.A. Troop, having been located at Ecclefechan, Scotland, sailed with Convoy WS17 (listed as ‘destination unknown’) which left the United Kingdom from off Oversay on 23rd March 1942.  Ships from this convoy detached for Mombasa on 8th May (and departed from that port for Bombay on 10th May).[3]

The Troop then went to Madagascar (details not found) where on 31st July 1942 it moved from Antsirane airport to take over from ‘C’ Troop, 238th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. four Bofors and one French 75mm gun at Port Troop.  The Commander was Captain H.C. Ballantine.  On 11th August 1942, while located at Antsirane (gun sites 1-4), the Troop received a warning order to move to Kenya.  It was taken out of action on 14th August.  Having handed over all guns and equipment to the 238th LA.A. Battery, R.A., the personnel embarked on board the transports Dilwara and the Duncan which sailed on 23rd August.[4]

The Troop disembarked at Mombasa on 26th August but re-embarked on board the H.M.T. Empire Trooper only to disembark once again to proceed to Nyali Transit Camp for firing practice.  On 1st September, the Troop embarked and sailed for Madagascar the next day.  On 10th September, the men disembarked at Red Beach, Majunga, where the 22nd (East African) and 29th Indian Infantry Brigades had landed to conduct extended operations against the Vichy French forces.  The Troop supported the advance, being ordered forward to support the 22nd (E.A.) Infantry Brigade on 23rd September, reaching Ankazobe on 25th September before deploying at Ivato airfield the next afternoon.  Two guns were sent to Antisrabe on 8th October, arriving the next day.  These guns were moved again on 25th October to the Fleet Air Arm Camp at Robin Airport, south of Ambositra,  This detachment returned to Ivato on 10th November.[5]

The Troop moved to Tamatave on 24th December 1942 where the next day it embarked for Kenya on board the S.S. Taklewa.  The Troop disembarked at Mombasa on 29th December and moved to Nyali Transit Camp, now under the command of the 19th A.A. Brigade.  On 13th February 1943, together with the 238th L.A.A. Battery, R.A., recently returned from Madagascar, the Troop was attached to the 96th L.A.A. Regiment, R.A.[6]

The 145th L.A.A. Troop, R.A. appears to have been disbanded on 13th March 1943, presumably at Nyali Transit Camp.[7]

On 23rd May 1943, the 238th L.A.A. Battery took on 186 British Other Ranks posted from the 145th L.A.A. Troop, R.A. and the 299th, 300th and 479th L.A.A. Batteries, R.A.[8]

19 September 2025