402nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A.
The 402nd H.A.A. Battery, R.A. was formed at Oswestry under the 210th Training Regiment on 12th December 1940. It was regimented with the 123rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. on 10th March 1941.[1]
By 26th May, the 123rd Regiment had embarked upon H.M.T. Warwick Castle at King George V Docks, Glasgow. The ship sailed on 1st June and joined convoy WS19P. The Warwick Castle arrived at Mombasa on 13th July 1942. The Regiment disembarked the next day.[2]
On 6th August 1942, the Regimental H.Q. moved from Nyali Transit Camp to Tudor House, Mombasa. The Batteries of the Regiment moved from the Transit Camp on 13th August:
- 402nd H.A.A. Battery, R.A. to gun site H.1,
- 404th H.A.A. Battery, R.A. to gun site H.3,
- 417th H.A.A. Battery, R.A. to gun site H.2.[3]
The Battery H.Q. and ‘A’ Troop of the 402nd H.A.A. Battery, R.A. were relieved at gun site H.1 on 29th March 1943. The battery provided the British element of the 154th (E.A.) H.A.A. Battery, E.A.A. and these men moved to a camp adjoining H.1. This cadre left Mombasa for the A.A.T.C. at Shimo-la-Tewa on 2nd April.[4]
The 402nd H.A.A. Battery, R.A. was disbanded on 3rd April 1943.[5]
Summary history of the 402nd H.A.A. Battery, R.A.
© Steve Rothwell
06 April 2025
[1] "Lineage Book of the British Army; Mounted Corps and Infantry, 1660-1968", Frederick J.B.M., Hope Farm Press (1969)
[2] War diary 123rd H.A.A. Regiment, R.A., WO 169/7011, WO 169/14094; War diary 19th A.A. Brigade, WO 169/7009; WS Convoys, WO 193/55; https://www.naval-history.net/xAH-WSConvoys05-1942A.htm (accessed 9th April 2024)
[3] War diary 19th A.A. Brigade, WO 169/7009
[4] WO 169/14094
[5] Frederick; War diary H.Q. East Africa Command, WO 169/13953