The 85th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery was formed in September 1941 during WWII. After training in Essex, the 85th and their equipment were loaded on to the SS Narkunda, a ship in a “WS” Convoy. When the convoy departed the docks, the 85th was heading for Basra, Iraq via the Cape of Good Hope. The 85th's equipment was painted in desert camouflage. The convoy sailed south to Durban, South Africa. While en route, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and invaded the Philippines. The 85th were diverted from their original desert destination to Singapore as reinforcements of the Garrison there. Origin The 85th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery was formed on 23 September 1941. The regiment comprised four anti-tank batteries: 45, 251, 270 and 281. In September 1941, the 85th was camped at John Groom's Orphanage and Flower Girls’ Home at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Batteries 45th Battery The 45th Battery were in Cattistock and were detached on 29 September 1941 from the 20th Anti-Tank Regiment and posted to the 85th AT Regiment at Clacton-on-Sea. There were 126 men (Other Ranks) on the November 1941 embarkation roll. 251st Battery The 251st Battery were detached from the 63rd (Oxfordshire Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, a territorial unit which had its HQ at Oxford. The 251st departed Portrush, Northern Ireland, on 27 September 1941 to join the 85th being formed at Butlins Camp, Clacton-on-Sea. There were 126 men (Other Ranks) on the November 1941 embarkation roll. 270th Battery The 270th Battery was detached from the 68th Anti-Tank Regiment on 23 September 1941 to join the 85th AT Regiment. There were 128 men (Other Ranks) on the November 1941 embarkation roll. 281st Battery The 281st Battery was detached from the 70th Anti-Tank Regiment to join the 85th AT Regiment. The 281st departed Storrington on 27 September 1941. There were 126 men (Other Ranks) on the November 1941 embarkation roll. Commander Lt. Col. Andrew John Lardner-Clarke Equipment 36 x 2-pounders Travel The 85th regiment boards the converted P&O ocean liner SS Narkunda at Gourock near Greenock, Scotland on the River Clyde on 11 November 1941, as part of "Winston Special" convoy WS 12Z. WS 12Z convoy sails just before midnight of the November 12th (into the 13th). Convoy WS 12Z arrives at Freetown, Sierra Leone on 25 November 1941. The convoy leaves Freetown on 28 November 1941. While in transit to Durban, South Africa, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor on