Welcome to this website devoted to the 57th (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (T.A.) and its associated units.

Formed in November 1938, the Regiment originally existed as the 5th Battalion The East Surrey Regiment, an old territorial infantry battalion with its headquarters at Wimbledon, which recruited in Surrey and South West London.

When the Territorial Army was ordered to double its strength in the spring of 1939, a second line regiment, known as the 67th (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment, RA was formed, partly from serving members of the 57th and partly from new recruits. Later, in September 1941, the whole Regimental Headquarters and one Battery of the 57th were taken away to form the nucleus of a new anti-tank regiment, the 82nd.

All three Regiments saw active service overseas: the 57th in France and Flanders, North Africa and Italy; the 67th in Tunisia and Italy; and the 82nd in India and Burma.

Events and memories that should never be forgotten . . .
A number of years ago a project was initiated to produce histories of the three Regiments, primarily for the veterans and their families; three books have been published to date and more are in preparation. It is hoped that this website will share the stories of the three Regiments with a wider audience and provide a contact point for anyone who has a connection or interest in them. The site will be populated from time to time with new material, including features, veterans’ accounts, newsletter extracts, photos, etc. If you have any information to share please do get in touch using the contact form.

Articles

Sicilian Diary – 300 Anti-Tank Battery, RA

Sicilian Diary – 300 Anti-Tank Battery, RA

300 Anti-Tank Battery was formed on 1 October 1941 from within the 57th (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment, RA, by taking Officers and NCOs from the existing batteries and men newly posted to the Regiment.

Under the command of Major R.G. Orr M.C., the Battery sailed with the Regiment for Egypt the following May and took part in the Battles of Alam el Halfa and Alamein, followed by the pursuit to Tripoli and on into Tunisia.

read more
A Military Medal at Anzio

A Military Medal at Anzio

On 8 October 1943, the 57th Regiment, part of the Fifth Army, disembarked at Salerno in Italy. As it moved forward during the following months, the batteries of the Regiment were employed in a variety of tasks, mainly as infantry, but also in the mortar role and on porterage duties. It was while in the latter role on the Garigliano front that 192 Battery, commanded by Major D.H. Chapman, was withdrawn and reformed into an anti-tank battery and sent to the Anzio beachhead as part of the 168 Infantry Brigade Group. The Battery had on strength eight 6-pounder and four 17-pounder anti-tank guns.

read more
Welcome, 315 (S.P.) Battery!

Welcome, 315 (S.P.) Battery!

During the 67th Regiment’s last weeks on the Senio River line in Italy, it welcomed a new Battery – 315 – from the 105th Anti-Tank Regiment, R.A. The Battery’s origins were as part of a medium regiment of artillery formed at Tarporley in Cheshire, which on arrival in Egypt in September 1941 was converted to the anti-tank role. As B Battery of the 73rd (later 95th) Anti-Tank Regiment it fought throughout the desert campaigns. When the 95th was broken up it joined the 105th Anti-Tank Regiment and became known as 315 Battery. The following account of its time with the 67th is taken from a short battery history published in Italy at the end of the war.

read more
Tanks at Ningthoukhong

Tanks at Ningthoukhong

During the months April to June 1944, the 82nd Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment was engaged in the decisive battles of the Imphal Plain, around Bishenpur and the Silchar Track, in North East India. South of Bishenpur, alongside the Tiddim Road, lay the villages of Potsangbam and Ningthoukong which were bitterly contested by the opposing sides. The Japanese had occupied the villages in April and attempts to recapture them had been largely unsuccessful, but by June Potsangbam and North Ningthoukong were in Allied hands when the Japanese renewed their offensive.

read more

This website is dedicated to all former members of the Regiments and their families, past and present, and especially to remember those men who did not return.

Contact Us

Please enter your details below and use the 'Reasons for Enquiry' option to either make a general enquiry, share a regiment related story or purchase one of the books and we will respond to you.

10 + 7 =