Was there a 16 HAA, RA?

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Gunner400, Jan 9, 2022.

  1. Gunner400

    Gunner400 Well-Known Member

    I am looking at an officer
    Lieut Reginald A Hunter
    16 HAA, R.A.
    Died 10/10/1943 and buried in Ramleh War Cemetery.
    Lieutenant Reginald Arthur Hunter | War Casualty Details | CWGC

    I have all his CWGC records and from other members kind research on another thread found that he died of an accident.(casualty record)
    Halsham War Memorial assistance please

    my question is that on his CWGC record it shows 16 H A A, RA but looking on google I can’t find a 16 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment so wondered if it Could be 16 Battery?

    could anybody assist with this and does anybody have a Regimental diary for around his death please?

    TIA
     
  2. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    I think it will be 16 Battery. There does not seem to be a 16 HAA Regiment listed. Regular HAA Regiments were numbered up to 13 and TA HAA Regiments start at 50.

    16 Battery is listed as being in 2 HAA Regiment.

    Mike
     
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  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Contact CWGC and ask them to confirm his details
     
  4. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    According to Frederick, the 16th HAA Bty formed part of the 4th HAA Regiment, R.A. until 1st July 1944. However, it seems to have become attached to the 2nd HAA Regiment as early as 1940.

    Farndale has the 16th HAA Bty first with 4th AA. Brigade (later 4th HAA Regt) moving to Egypt in December 1937.
    Farndale then has 16th HAA Bty with the 2nd HAA Regiment in December 1940.
    Joslen lists the 16th HAA Bty as part of the 4th AA Brigade in "the Western Desert and Libya" on 31st January 1941, then with 51st HAA Regiment at the end of December 1940. Then to Greece with 2nd HAA Regiment in February 1941.
    Routledge then has 16th HAA Bty with 2nd HAA Regiment, under 21st AA Brigade in Egypt in January 1943. 2nd HAA Regiment was then in Palestine by September 1943, seemingly part of Force 292 preparing for operations in the Aegean. It seems that the 2nd HAA Regiment did not accompany the ill-fated operation.

    Sorry that this story is all based on fragments, however, it does suggest that the 16th HAA Battery was serving with the 2nd HAA Regiment in Palestine at the time of Lieutenant Hunter's death.

    Rothy
     
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  5. Gunner400

    Gunner400 Well-Known Member

    Mike/ CL1 thank you for your help
    Rothy thank you for all your time going through the differing reports to give me such a breakdown of info.
     

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