56 (Olpherts) Battery was placed in to suspended animation on 20 February 2015 following the disbandment of 39th Regiment Royal Artillery, which occurred on the same date.

56 (Olpherts) Headquarters Battery RA has its origins in India as 5 Company, 3 Battalion, The Bengal Artillery, which was formed on 2 June 1786.

During the first Relief of Lucknow, Captain William Olpherts or "Hellfire Jack" as he was known, won the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry; he charged the enemy on horseback and captured two rebel guns that were pouring fire onto the flanks of the advancing forces.

To commemorate this distinction, on 19 October 1966, the honour title "Olpherts" was awarded to 56 Battery RA.

In more recent times the Battery has served operationally in Northern Ireland, The Gulf conflict, Cyprus and Afghanistan.