251st H.A.A. Battery, R.A. – 251st (W.A.) H.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.

The 251st H.A.A. Battery, R.A. was formed at Slough on 1st November 1938 and was regimented with the 80th (Berkshire) A.A. Brigade, R.A. (T.A.).  On 4th September 1941, the Battery joined the 131st H.A.A. Regiment, R.A.  It became an independent battery on 7th October 1941.[1]

The Battery was commanded by Major Abel-Smith, R.A.

The Battery sailed from the United Kingdom on 12th/13th November 1941 with Convoy WS 12Z.  The convoy arrived at Freetown on 25th November.  It appears to have re-embarked for it subsequently disembarked at Apapa Wharf, Lagos on 19th December 1941 and went into quarters at Yaba and the Racecourse.[2]

On 3rd January 1942, the Battery was regimented with the 5th H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A. (formed by redesignation of R.H.Q., ‘E’ Regiment, R.A. - the personnel of which arrived in Lagos from the United Kingdom the previous day).[3]

The Battery was regimented with the 3rd H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A. on 20th April 1943, for overseas service (India).  This appears not to have taken place until 1st June 1943, when the 251st H.A.A. Battery was de-regimented and left West Africa for India.  The Battery did not join up immediately with the Regiment, then serving in the Gold Coast, but after arrival in India.[4]

Having left West Africa on 29th May 1943, the Battery arrived at Bombay on 9th July but did not disembark until three days later, whereupon it immediately left for Dhond, arriving that evening.[5] 

During October 1943, the Battery became known officially as the 251st (W.A.) H.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.[6] 

The Battery remained at Dhond until 13th November 1943, when it entrained for Assam.  The first stop was Calcutta where the Battery boarded a ship for Chittagong on 24th November.  After arrival at Chittagong on 27th November, the next day the Battery left by train for Silchar which was reached on 29th November.  Leaving the train the next day, the Battery went to gun sites ‘BA’ and ‘BB’ at Kumbhirgram airfield.  The sites were taken over from the outgoing 16th H.A.A. Battery, I.A. on 1st December.[7]

Major Abel-Smith left the Battery on 14th February 1944 to assume command of the 1st H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A.  Command of the Battery was assumed by Major W.J.B. Girardet.  On 12th March, ‘D’ Troop of the Battery engaged six Japanese aircraft.  Twenty-six rounds were fired for no effect.  Major Girardet left to take command of the 2nd H.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. on 22nd May.  Major J.R.N. Holdsworth assumed command in his place.  On 28th October the Emir of Katsina visited the unit and inspected African gunners from northern Nigeria.[8]

On 16th January 1945, verbal orders were received for a move by the 3rd H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A. in the near future.  The Battery ceased to be operational the next day and the Regimental Advance Party left that same day.  On 20th January, Major Holdsworth left on repatriation and was succeeded by Captain L.F. Homes.  Captain Homes, however, left on 5th February, to be replaced by Captain G.H. Lydall.  Finally, on 30th April the Battery evacuated the Sites ‘BA’ and ‘BB’ and concentrated at the R.H.Q.  The next day, the Battery entrained at Silchar and left for Kumbhargaon which was reached on 7th May.  The Battery remained here until early November when it returned to West Africa and was disbanded.[9]

17 August 2025