21st Regiment, Royal Artillery

The 21st Regiment Royal Artillery were a former regiment of the Royal Artillery within the British Army. The regiment was around during the entire Cold War.

History
The 21st Regiment were formed on the 1st of April 1947 when the Regimental Headquarters of the 2nd Heavy Antiaicraft Regiment were retitled to the 21st Heavy Antiaicraft Regiment including 20 Battery, 57 Battery, and 71 Battery. Following formation the regiment moved to their first home in Kinmel Park Barracks, Rhyl. The regiment's first used gun was the QF 3.7-inch AA gun. Only a few months later the regiment moved to Wrottesley Park near Wolverhampton. The next year in October of 1948 the regiment was reduced to a Cadre and all batteries reformed from members of the 88th Heavy Antiaicraft Regiment. Upon reformation the regiment moved to Harrington Barracks in Liverpool.

In 1951 the regiment moved again to Saighton Camp in Chester, Cheshire still using the same artillery pieces. The next year the regiment moved to Lindsey Street Training Depot in Newcastle where it remained for only a few months until it moved to Woolwich. In 1953 the regiment moved back to Saighton Camp in Cester. In 1955 the regiment was reducted to a cadre at Chester. Two months later the regiment was reformed at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh as the 21st Medium Regiment. The regiment was equipped with the new BL 5.5-inch Medium Gun. Following the change of equipment the regiment moved back to Redford Barracks where it remained for two years. In 1957 the regiment deployed for the first time going to Cyprus staying in the region of Stroumbi and Eastend Camps in the Paphos District of Southern Cyprus in the infantry role. The next year the regiment returned where 20 Battery and 7 Battery were placed in suspended animation.

In 1962 the regiment moved to St Barbara Barracks in Fallingbostel, Germany under the 1st Field Artillery Brigade. Following the move 14 Battery moved from 94th Regiment and subsequently converting to a locating regiment using drones and the new Roberts Reconnaissance System. In April of 1964 57 Battery moved to 94th Regiment again while both Regimental Headquarters and 14 Battery were placed into suspended animation. Almost immediately the 14 Battery joined 16th Light Antiair Defense Regiment. Finally the regiment was put in suspended animation.