64th Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
The 64th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. was formed from the 64th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A. / W.A.A., which had formed in the United Kingdom on 21st January 1939. Conversion of the battery took place nearly two years after its arrival in West Africa. On 22nd January 1944, the Battery was reorganised as an anti-tank battery. In September 1945 (tbc), in India, the Battery converted to the light artillery role. Here is a summary:
64th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A.
21st January 1939 formed in the United Kingdom
1st June 1943 converted to become the 64th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
64th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
1st June 1943 converted from the 64th L.A.A. Battery, R.A.
22nd January 1944 reorganised as the 64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
22nd January 1944 by reorganisation of the 64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
September 1945 reorganised as the 64th Light Battery, W.A.A.
September 1945 by reorganisation of the 64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
1946 disbanded in West Africa.
64th Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
The 64th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. was converted in the Gambia to become the 64th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. on 1st June 1943. The Commanding Officer was Major H.G.O. Young, R,A. The Battery embarked for the Gold Coast on 6th September 1943 and after arriving at Accra on 18th September, moved to Teshi Camp where it joined the 2nd L.A.A./Atk Regiment, W.A.A., part of the 82nd (W.A.) Infantry Division.[1]
The first of three semi-mobile 40mm Bofors Mk II guns arrived on 25th September 1943. By 2nd November, the Battery had sixteen Bofors guns. The Battery left Teshi Camp on 3rd November to travel to Nigeria overland via French Togoland and French Dahomey. The Battery arrived at camp in Nigeria on the evening of 6th November and moved on to Ede which was reached on 8th November.[2]
On 22nd January 1944, the Regiment was reorganised to have two L.A.A. batteries and two anti-tank batteries:
- 5th and 109th L.A.A. Batteries
- 64th and ‘Z’ Anti-Tank Batteries.
From that date, the 64th Battery began forming into two anti-tank batteries. The 64th Anti-Tank Battery emerged from the conversion and a new battery, ‘Z’ Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. was formed. The Battery remained with the Regiment at Ede throughout February 1944.[3]
Summary history of the 64th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
© Steve Rothwell
30 July 2025