In May–June 1942, 10th Armoured Bde (later 10th Tank Brigade) became an independent formation, and moved from
Barnard Castle,
County Durham, to '
The Dukeries' area of
Nottinghamshire to continue tank training. 109 RAC was based at
Welbeck Abbey, and the following month the partly trained and partly equipped regiment was given the operational role (in case of enemy invasion) of providing HQ squadron and one tank squadron (drawn from all three of its squadrons) of
Churchill and
Valentine tanks for a composite battalion from the brigade. In common with the other units of 10th Tank Bde, 109 RAC maintained Lancashire Fusilier traditions, celebrating
Minden Day on 1 August each year. However, in August 1943, rumours began to circulate that 10th Tank Brigade was scheduled for disbandment.
Members of Parliament for the Lancashire towns complained about the possible loss of their TA battalions, and a recruiting team arrived to persuade men to volunteer for the
Parachute Regiment if the brigade disbanded. Although 10th Tank Bde moved to
Wensleydale in September, with 109 RAC based at
Leyburn, and became a holding and training formation for reinforcements, the impending disbandment was confirmed shortly afterwards. During November and December, 109 RAC's officers and men were progressively posted overseas or to
51st Training Regiment RAC at nearby
Catterick. Disbandment was completed by the end of the year and 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers went into a state of 'suspended animation' on 1 January 1944. Unlike 1/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, which was reformed after the war, after the disbandment of 108 RAC, the 1/6th Battalion has never been reformed. ==Notes==