109th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A.

The 109th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. was formed in the United Kingdom in August 1939.  This Battery converted to become the 109th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. by 1st July 1943.   The 109th Battery appears to have been re-designated to become the 84th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. by or during July 1944.  The 84th L.A.A. Battery was disbanded later that month and its personnel were posted to join with the mortar troops of the light batteries to form a new mortar unit – initially known as ‘X’ Mortar Regiment, W.A.A.   Here is a summary:

109th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A.

August 1939                  formed in the United Kingdom
1st July 1943                 reorganised as the 109th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.

109th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.

1st July 1943                 by reorganisation of the 109th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A.
July 1944                       reorganised and re-designated as the 84th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.

84th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.

July 1944                       by reorganisation of the 109th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
July 1944                       disbanded to form ‘X’ Mortar Regiment, W.A.A.

 

109th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A.

The 109th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. was formed in the United Kingdom between 25th and 27th August 1939.[1]

The Commanding Officer was Major H.S. Johnson, R.A.

The 109th Battery travelled to West Africa with Convoy WS 11 and arrived in Freetown Harbour on 15th September 1941.  It seems that the Battery H.Q., with ‘A’ and ‘B’ Troops, sailed on to Lagos, Nigeria, accompanied by ‘B’ Troop, 64th L.A.A. Battery, R.A., arriving by the end of the month.  ‘C’ Troop, with two Officers and 39 British Other Ranks disembarked at Freetown on 15th September and on 28th September and was posted to join the 71st L.A.A. Battery, R.A., becoming that Battery’s ‘D’ Troop.[2]

The Battery with ‘A’ and ‘B’ Troops, was at Abeokuta, north of Lagos on 1st October 1941.  The Battery H.Q. and ‘B’ Troop went to the airport at Apapa, Lagos, on 6th October 1941.  ‘A’ Troop remained at Abeokuta.  During October, concern was raised by the growing number of malaria cases in the Battery. This resulted in a review of precautions against the disease and the introduction of new ones.  On 27th October, Battery H.Q. and ‘B’ Troop moved from the airport to more permanent quarters at Apapa.  They were joined there by ‘A’ Troop on 29th October.[3]

Reinforcements were posted to the Battery on 10th November 1941, consisting of one Warrant Officer and 120 African Other Ranks (A.O.R.s).  On 25th November, four Bofors guns Mk III and two tractors and other transport were collected from the wharf.[4]

[The war diary for 1942 has not been found.]

The Battery was regimented with the 5th H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A. when that unit came into being on 3rd January 1942.  The Battery had four Bofors guns ready for action.  The 109th L.A.A. Battery sent its ‘A’ Troop by train to the airport at Maiduguri, leaving on 23rd January 1942.  The Troop was ready for action with four guns late on 28th January.  Major H.S. Johnston, Commanding Officer of the 109th L.A.A. Battery, returned to the United Kingdom on 13th March, his place taken by Major R.H.C. Duncan.  The 4th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. was formed from personnel of the 109th L.A.A. Battery on 1st April 1942.  Major G.R. Bell was appointed as Commanding Officer.[5]

‘C’ Troop, 109th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. took over four Bofors guns at sites at Apapa from ‘D’ Troop on 15th August 1942.  ‘D’ Troop then left Apapa on 17th August to relieve ‘B’ Troop at Maiduguri.  The detached troop of the 109th L.A.A. Battery at Maiduguri was posted complete to join the 4th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. on 3rd November.[6] 

The 109th L.A.A. Battery, R.A., converted to become the 109th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. by 1st July 1943.  This was the date that the 6th H.A.A Regiment, W.A.A. reformed and reorganised as the 2nd L.A.A/Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A – the Regiment which the reformed 109th Battery would shortly join (11th August 1943).[7]

23 July 2025