The 218th Brigade was a Home Service formation of the

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...

during the

First First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one (#1). First or 1st may also refer to: *World record, specifically the first instance of a particular achievement Arts and media Music * 1$T, American rapper, singer-songwriter, DJ, and rec ...

and the

Second World Wars World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

First World War

The 218th Brigade 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. The brigade had previously been the 9th Provisional Brigade, without any divisional affiliation. 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.

Order of Battle

The following infantry battalions served in the brigade: *41st Provisional Battalion, became 12th Battalion,

King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) The King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army. It served under various titles and fought in many wars and conflicts, including both the First and the Second World Wars, from 1680 to 1959. In 1959, the ...

on 1 January 1917; disbanded 29 March 1918. *42nd Provisional Battalion, became 14th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 1 January 1917; disbanded December 1917. *44th Provisional Battalion, became 26th Battalion,

King's (Liverpool Regiment) The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was one of the oldest line infantry regiments of the British Army, having been formed in 1685 and numbered as the 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot in 1751. Unlike most British Army infantry regiments, which were ...

on 1 January 1917; disbanded 29 March 1918. *267th Graduated Battalion, became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion,

Leicestershire Regiment The Leicestershire Regiment (Royal Leicestershire Regiment after 1946) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, with a history going back to 1688. The regiment saw service for three centuries, in numerous wars and conflicts such as both W ...

, moved to 207th (2nd East Midland) Brigade in January 1918.

Second World War

Formation and Service

A new brigade under the title of the 218th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) was formed for service in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

on 21 October 1940 under the

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other English counties, functions have ...

Area headquarters. At first it was primarily composed of infantry battalions from Yorkshire regiments.Joslen, p. 381. The Brigade transferred to

Yorkshire County Division The Yorkshire County Division was a formation of the British Army in the Second World War, its headquarters were formed on 24 February 1941, and became operation on 19 March. It was commanded by three officers, Major-General the Hon E. F. Lawso ...

when that formation was created on 19 March 1941. The Divisional headquarters became East Riding Coastal Area on 1 December 1941. On 22 December the Brigade was re-designated as the 218th Independent Infantry Brigade. The Brigade later transferred to the Durham and North Riding Coastal Area, then to the Northumbrian District before disbanding on 10 November 1942, when its battalions were converted to anti-tank regiments.Joslen, p. 117.

Order of Battle

The following units served in the brigade: *As part of Yorkshire Area or the County Division **

8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry The 94th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, (94th LAA Rgt) was an air defence unit of the British Army during World War II. Initially raised as an infantry battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in 1940, it transferred t ...

''(22 October 1940 — 6 November 1941)'' ** 11th Battalion,

York and Lancaster Regiment The York and Lancaster Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that existed from 1881 until 1968. The regiment was created in the Childers Reforms of 1881 by the amalgamation of the 65th (2nd Yorkshire, North Riding) Regiment ...

''(22 October 1940 — 30 November 1941)'' ** 10th Battalion,

Duke of Wellington's Regiment The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division. In 1702, Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he di ...

''(23 October 1940 — 30 November 1941)'' ** 14th Battalion,

Sherwood Foresters The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in existence for just under 90 years, from 1881 to 1970. In 1970, the regiment was amalgamated with the Worcestershire Regiment to ...

''(23 October 1940 — 29 November 1940)'' *Under the various Military Districts ** 11th Battalion,

''(1 December 1941 — 23 September 1942)'' ** 10th Battalion,

''(1 December 1941 — 12 September 1942)'' ** 6th (Pioneer) Battalion,

King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) The King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army. It served under various titles and fought in many wars and conflicts, including both the First and the Second World Wars, from 1680 to 1959. In 1959, the r ...

''(29 November 1940 — 23 May 1941)'' ** 7th Battalion,

King's Shropshire Light Infantry The King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) was a light infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in the Childers Reforms of 1881, but with antecedents dating back to 1755. It served in the Second Boer War, World War I and World War II. In 19 ...

''(29 November 1941 — 13 October 1942, converted later that year into the 99th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery)'' ** 11th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment ''(11 December 1941 — 31 January 1942, converted into

118th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery The 118th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, (118th LAA Rgt) was an air defence unit of the British Army during World War II. Initially raised as an infantry battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment in 1940, it transferred to the Royal ...

)'' ** 2nd Battalion,

Liverpool Scottish The Liverpool Scottish, known as "the Scottish", was a unit of the British Army, part of the Army Reserve (formerly the Territorial Army), raised in 1900 as an infantry battalion of the King's (Liverpool Regiment). The Liverpool Scottish became af ...

''(13 September — 9 November 1942, converted later that year into the 89th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery)'' ** 19th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers ''(27 September — 30 October 1942, converted later that year into the 98th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery)''

Commanders

The following officers commanded 218 Brigade: * Brig D.C. Butterworth (21 October 1940 – 30 July 1941) * Brig T.F. Given (from 30 July 1941)

Notes

References

* * J.M. Cowper, ''The King's Own: The Story of a Royal Regiment'', Volume III: ''1914–1950'', Aldershot: Gale & Polden. *
The Long, Long Trail

{{British infantry brigades of the Second World War Military units and formations established in 1916 Infantry brigades of the British Army Infantry brigades of the British Army in World War I Military units and formations disestablished in 1918 Military units and formations established in 1940 Infantry brigades of the British Army in World War II Military units and formations disestablished in 1942