 Initial individual and collective training of the batteries was undertaken throughout the remainder of the year before the regiment concentrated at Puckapunyal early in 1941, by which time it consisted of 38 officers and 621 other ranks.The arrival of the South Australian battery enabled collective training on a regimental level as well as technical and specialist training on the Ordnance QF 18-pounder and 4.5-inch howitzer artillery pieces, and the assorted vehicles that the regiment was allocated.In June 1941, Lieutenant Colonel William Christie took over command of the regiment and the following month it was moved to Darwin, Northern Territory, moving via rail through Adelaide to Alice Springs and then to Winnellie Camp.