220th Brigade (United Kingdom)
| 220th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 9 November 1916–8 April 1918 1 November 1940-17 November 1944 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry Brigade |
| Role | Training and Home Defence |
220th Brigade was a Home Service formation of the British Army during the First and Second World Wars.
First World War[edit]
220 Brigage was raised in late 1916 as part of 73rd Division, which had the dual role of training men for overseas drafts and providing forces for home defence.[1]
Composition[edit]
The following infantry battalions served in 220 Brigade during the war:[1]
- 2/4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, joined 9 November 1916 from 189th (2nd York and Durham) Brigade disbanded 21 December 1917.[2]
- 2/5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, joined 9 November 1916 from 189th (2nd York and Durham) Brigade, disbanded 21 December 1917.[2]
- 17th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, formed November 1916, disbanded 5 November 1917.[2]
- 273rd Graduated Battalion, joined by 23 July 1917, became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry 27 October 1917, went to 206th (2nd Essex) Brigade March 1918.[3]
- 274th Graduated Battalion, joined by 9 July 1917, became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment 27 October 1917, went to 205th (2nd Welsh Border) Brigade March 1918[4]
On 21 December 1917 orders were issued to break up 73rd Division. Disbandment began in January 1918 and its last elements disappeared on 8 April 1918.[1]
Second World War[edit]
Origin[edit]
A new brigade under the title of 220th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) was formed for service in the United Kingdom on 1 November 1940, largely from battalions from East Anglian regiments.[5]
Service[edit]
After a brief spell attached to the East Anglian 18th Infantry Division, the 220th Brigade became part of Norfolk County Division on 24 December 1940.[5] On 18 November 1941 the Norfolk County Division became 76th Infantry Division, a low establishment division (with a reduced allotment of equipment) intended for home defence.[6] The 220th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) was re-designated as the 220th Infantry Brigade.[5]
On 1 September 1944, the 76th Divisional headquarters was disbanded and the 220th Brigade became part of 47th Infantry (Reserve) Division[7] On 27 October 1944 the 47th Division's 141st (5th London) Brigade was disbanded, and on 17 November the 220th Brigade was re-designated 141st Infantry Brigade, but with no London connection.[5]
Order of battle[edit]
The following units served in 220 Brigade:[5]
- On formation (18th Infantry Division) and part of the Norfolk County Division.
- 23rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (until 5 July 1941)
- 9th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment (until 17 November 1941)
- 9th Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment (until 17 November 1941)
- 7th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment (5 November 1940–17 November 1941)
- As part of the 78th Infantry Division
- 9th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment (18 November 1941–17 December 1942)
- 9th Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment (18 November 1941–6 September 1942)
- 7th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment (18 November 1941–13 September 1942)
- 1/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (9 September 1942–27 January 1943)
- 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment (13 September 1942–17 November 1943)
- 18th Battalion, Welch Regiment (13 December 1942–18 November 1943)
- 6th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (16 December 1942–26 October 1943)
- 5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (28 January 1943–25 July 1944)
- 9th (Caernarvonshire and Anglesey) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (16 October 1943–22 July 1944)
- 2/6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers (27 October 1943–24 July 1944)
- 6th Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) (19 November 1943–27 July 1944)
- 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (27 July 1944–31 August 1944)
- 9th Battalion, Dorset Regiment (8 August 1944–31 August 1944)
- 6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (14 August 1944–31 August 1944)
Commanders[edit]
The following officers commanded 220 Brigade:[5]
- Brig C.M. Clode
- Brig G.F. Ellenberger (from 18 June 1941)
- Brig A.C.T. Evanson (from 10 May 1943)
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b c "The Long, Long Trail – Researching soldiers of the British Army in the Great War of 1914-1919".
- ^ a b c "The Long, Long Trail – Researching soldiers of the British Army in the Great War of 1914-1919".
- ^ "The Long, Long Trail – Researching soldiers of the British Army in the Great War of 1914-1919".
- ^ "The Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1914-1918". Archived from the original on 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^ a b c d e f Joslen, p. 383.
- ^ Joslen p. 99
- ^ Joslen, pp. 41–42.
References[edit]
- Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
- The Long, Long Trail