[54Bty]

From my own research:

223rd ANTI-TANK BATTERY ROYAL ARTILLERY (TA)

The 56th (King’s Own) Anti Tank Regiment RA (TA), with 221, 222, 223, and 224 Batteries, was formed in 1938 by the conversion of the 4th Battalion, The King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) (TA). As part of the 56th the Battery went to France with the British Expeditionary Force, and participated in the fighting withdrawal and evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940. On return to England the Battery was reformed, becoming independent in July 1940, and assigned to the 31st Independent Infantry Brigade. In November 1941 the Brigade became part of the 1st Airborne Division.

During this time a shoulder designation consisting of the words ANTI TANK BATTERY embroidered in red onto a dark blue background, was unofficially worn at the top of both sleeves of the best Battle Dress Blouse. On the 27th of June 1942 the Battery was officially designated as the 1st Air Landing Anti Tank Battery RA, within the 1st Air Landing Anti Tank Regiment RA. The shoulder designation was then changed to ANTI TANK ARTILLERY. During its short existence the Battery took part in the Airborne Landings on Sicily in July 1943, the Campaign in Italy during September 1943, and Operation “Market” as part of the Air Landing Brigade which fought at Arnhem in September 1944 and subsequent withdrawal across the Rhine. In August 1944 the Battery returned to Europe by sea, to fight alongside the US 501st Airborne Infantry through Holland, returning to England in October. Leave, training and cancelled operations continued until the Battery departed for the liberation of Norway in 1945. The Battery was finally disbanded in 1946. During December 1942 the designation was removed and replaced with normal Royal Artillery titles.

and

1st AIR LANDING ANTI TANK REGIMENT RA

On the 27th of June 1942 the 223rd (Independent) Anti Tank Battery RA, was officially designated as the 1st Air Landing Anti Tank Battery RA, within the 1st Air Landing Anti Tank Regiment RA. It was then that the shoulder designation of the words ANTI TANK ARTILLERY embroidered in red into a dark blue background was unofficially worn at the top of both sleeves of the best Battle Dress Blouse.

NOTE: Both the badges have rounded ends and have serif text, not one of the men I had contact with produced any other type of badge. The badges shown belonged to the Battery Commander.