During World War I the unit was formed in early 1916 as the 13th Field Artillery Brigade, and fought as part of the 5th Division in Egypt, the Sinai and on the Western Front.

It was redesignated as the 13th Field Regiment during the early years of World War II, and following Japan's entry into the war it was mobilised and later deployed to New Guinea, where a detachment fought during the Battle of Buna–Gona in 1942–1943, returning to Australia in late 1943.

During World War I, the regiment was designated the 13th Field Artillery Brigade, and was assigned to the 5th Division.

[2] After the war, when Australia's part-time military forces were reorganised in 1921 to replicate the divisional structure and numerical designations of the First Australian Imperial Force, the unit was re-raised in South Australia as part of the 4th Military District, adopting the designation of the 13th Field Brigade.

[4] Following Japan's entry into World War II, the regiment was mobilised as part of the 3rd Brigade.

[10] Initially they were used in the garrison role, but after the Japanese landed in New Guinea, the regiment became involved in the fighting.

During the Battle of Buna–Gona which took place in late 1942 and early 1943, the regiment deployed a troop of four guns under command of Captain N.R.