109th Australian Light Anti Aircraft Regiment

24 nov 1942 Lt Gen Bennett inspecting a parade of 109th LAA Regt. AWM 028865

Brief History

The regiment was raised during August 1942 at Woodman Point with 151 Light Anti Aircraft Battery and 152 ight Anti Aircraft Battery manned with 150 Light Anti Aircraft battery formed in September. They trained for a mobile role and in June 1943 they moved to Naval Base with 152 Battery out posted to Geraldton and Pearce airfields. A new battery 'R' Light Anti Aircraft Battery was formed and moved to Exmouth to help protect the submarine base. In August 1942 the 150th Battery moved to Mosman Park, and the HQ UNIT OF 109th Australian Light Anti Aircraft Regiment moved to Guildford.

September 1943 brought about a re-organisation of the regiment to form 102nd Australian Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment (HE) withthe role of defending RAAF airfields outside Peth and in the north west. 151 and 152 batteries were joined by 140th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery which was at Exmouth until the submarine base closed in November 1943 allowing the majority of the personnel there to move to Corunna Downs airfield near Port Hedland.

In December 1943 152 LAA Battery moved to Noonkanbah in the Kimberley to defend the new airfield there, joined by the element of 140th HAA Battery that had remained at Exmouth. By the end of 1944 the air threat to perth and the forward air bases in the northof the State had declined to the point that 102 Australian Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment (HE) and all its sub units moved to Bellevue where they were disbanded in December 1944.

Unit Personnel

• John Raymond Little 15 Apr - 10 May 1943