 It chose the field artillery role, and in early 1940 was split into two halves in order to form two separate regiments.In February 1940, the first unit was formed in the Royal Artillery as 153rd (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, with the second, 154th (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, forming on 15 April 1940.When the Guards Armoured Division was formed in the early autumn of 1941, the 153rd became part of the Guards Support Group.