Originally raised during World War II as a battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment it was later transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps.

[4][5][6] In common with other infantry battalions transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps, all personnel would have continued to wear their East Lancashire cap badge on the black beret of the RAC.

[12] Elements of the 144th landed as early as 8 June 1944, they used Crusader Tanks with twin Oerlikons acting as infantry support for the 51st Highlanders.

33rd Armoured Brigade had been delayed in landing, and its absence was sorely felt by the British Second Army during the tough fighting around Villers-Bocage (13–16 June).

[15] Apart from reconnaissance on 8 July, in which the regiment captured some prisoners,[16] 144 RAC's first action was during Operation Pomegranate, supporting the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division in an attack on Noyers.

In order to make us feel part of the family, the 51st Highland Division asked us to wear the famous HD flash and issued every man in the brigade with one, a gesture which was very much appreciated'.

[27][28][29] In January 1945, 144 RAC operated with 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division in the British counter-attacks against the northern side of the 'Bulge' developed by the German Ardennes offensive.

[34] (By contrast, 1st Gordons was supported in its next operation by a troop of Churchill tanks from 107 RAC, whose performance Lindsay described as 'The windiest and wettest imaginable').

[35] On 1 March 1945, 144 RAC was redesignated 4th Royal Tank Regiment to replace the original 4 RTR, which had been captured at Tobruk in the North African Campaign in 1942.

The first parade of the new regiment the following day was inspected by Sir John Crocker, commander of I Corps and the most senior RTR officer in the theatre.

[30][40] Under its new title, the regiment took part in Operation Plunder, ferrying troops of 51st (Highland) Division across the River Rhine on the night of 23/24 March 1945.

On landing, Lt-Col Jolly planted the World War I standard of the original 4th RTR (D Battalion Tank Corps) on the far bank.