8th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

8th Infantry Brigade

Insignia of 8th Infantry Brigade
Active 1914-1918
1927-1934
1939-1945
1969-2006
Country  United Kingdom
Branch  British Army
Type Infantry
Role Infantry brigade
Size Brigade
Part of HQ Northern Ireland
Garrison/HQ Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly
Engagements World War I
World War II
The Troubles
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Brig. Frank Witts
Brig-Gen. Reginald Hoskins

The 8th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army that saw active service in both World War I and World War II before being disbanded and reactivated in the 1960s, finally being disbanded in 2006. It was formed before the First World War as part of the 3rd Division. As part of that division it spent the entire war on the Western Front from 1914 to 1918 in the First World War. The brigade was also active during the Second World War.

First World War

The brigade, part of the 3rd Division, was serving in England on the outbreak of the First World War.[1]

First World War Composition

Second World War

Men of the 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment in action in the Netherlands, November 1944

The brigade was in the United Kingdom upon the outbreak of the Second World War, when it was under the command of Brigadier Frank Witts.

Second World War Composition

The composition was:[2]

Northern Ireland

Reactivated in the mid-late 1960s, the 8th Brigade was part of the 5th Division before arriving in Northern Ireland after the beginning of The Troubles, reporting to GOC Northern Ireland. It was based at Ebrington Barracks, Derry, and covered the north and northwest of the province. The Brigade Headquarters moved to Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly, County Londonderry in October 2003. The brigade was disbanded and handed over responsibility to HQ 39th Infantry Brigade, based at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, on 1 September 2006.[3]

References

  1. "The 3rd Division in 1914-1918". The Long, Long Trail. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  2. "8th Infantry Brigade". Orders of Battle. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  3. "Shackleton Barracks Ballykelly to Close". Sandes (26 June 2006). Retrieved 2008-06-21.
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