3rd* Coast Battery, W.A.A. – 6th Coast Battery, W.A.A.
3rd* Coast Battery, W.A.A.
The 3rd Coast Battery, W.A.A. was formed, or was intended to be formed, at Takoradi from 1st May 1941. However, it is not certain if the Battery was formed before it was re-numbered to become the 6th Coast Battery, W.A.A.[1]
A battery of four C.A.S.Ls. (coast defence searchlights) was decided upon for Takoradi but the equipment does not appear to have arrived until May 1941 at the earliest (tbc). It appears that this battery was originally intended to be designated as the 3rd Coast Battery, W.A.A., but it seems that by the time the Battery was formed, a 3rd Coast Battery was being formed at Bathurst, Gambia. On 4th July 1941, it was notified that with effect from the date of formation, 1st May 1941, the 3rd Coast Battery, W.A.A. manning C.A.S.L.s at Takoradi, would be renamed as the 6th Coast Battery, W.A.A.
6th Coast Battery, W.A.A.
The 6th Battery was regimented with the 3rd Coast Regiment, W.A.A. when the Regiment formed with effect from 1st January 1943. The 6th Battery undertook practice firing from the main breakwater at Takoradi on 25th March, using 12-pounder 12-cwt guns. [2]
Three Coast batteries, the 6th, 8th and 9th are referred to in January 1944 and remained as part of the 3rd Coast Regiment at least until 31st August 1944, when the war diary ends.[3]
14 April 2025