The IV Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was a new volunteer unit formed in Kent as part of the Territorial Force (TF) in 1908.

It saw active service on the Western Front during World War I and was reconstituted as medium artillery in the interwar years.

Later it converted to anti-aircraft artillery, in which role it served in The Blitz, North Africa and Italy during World War II and continued under various designations until its disbandment in 1969.

It had the following composition:[1][2][3][4] On the outbreak of World War I, most of the Home Counties Division was sent to Gibraltar and India to relieve Regular troops for service in Europe.

[7] On 9 June 1916, the brigade joined 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, which had recently arrived in France from the Mediterranean and had no artillery.

In April the following year, 205 Battery was transferred to the smaller 55th (Kent) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, RA based at Rochester.

When the TA was augmented at the time of the Munich Crisis, a new 264 Battery was raised on 1 October 1938 within 58th AA Bde at Dartford.

[16][17][18] Opportunities for action were rare during the Phoney War, but on the night of 22/23 November 1939 the HAA guns of 28 AA Bde manning the 'Thames South' layout combined with those of 37 AA Bde on the other bank of the river ('Thames North') to engage at least two enemy mine-laying aircraft that had strayed into the mouth of the Estuary.

[20][21][22] On 18 August, for example, German air raids appeared over RAF airfields at West Malling, Manston, Kenley, Biggin Hill, Gravesend and the town of Sevenoaks, all within four and a half hours in the afternoon.

On 7 September heavy raids up the estuary attacked oil wharves at Thameshaven, Tilbury Docks and Woolwich Arsenal: a total of 25 aircraft were destroyed by AA guns and fighters.

On 15 September, remembered as the zenith of the battle, the guns were in prolonged combat, especially with aircraft over Chatham in the morning, and again in the afternoon.

[23][24] After 15 September the intensity of Luftwaffe day raids declined rapidly, and it began a prolonged night bombing campaign over London and industrial towns (The Blitz).

After the initial fighting, 22 AA Bde accompanied the leading elements of First Army on their long march eastwards, while 58th's batteries remained at Algiers to unload their guns and equipment and take up positions around the harbour and airfields.

The harbour at Bône became the most heavily attacked target in North Africa, and a troop of 58th HAA was sent to reinforce the AA defences there.

On 21 November they fought raids by Ju88s, which set buildings and stores ablaze, and destroyed the AA units' small number of vehicles.

[36] As the build-up continued, 22 AA Bde could be released from commitments in the rear areas and assigned to airfield defence for No.

[39] 58th HAA Regiment was not involved in the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), but rejoined 22 AA Bde in mainland Italy in late October 1943 to take over the air defence of Naples.

The defended area over the port, the anchorages and adjacent airfields was declared an Inner Artillery Zone (IAZ), giving AA guns priority over fighters at night.

Heavy air raids resumed in March 1944, after which they progressively declined, and AA defence strength was also reduced, though 58th HAA Rgt remained there until the end of the war in Europe.

[50] Regimental silver is held in trust and displayed within The Army Reserve Centre, Baring Road, Grove Park, London SE12 0BH.