221st Mixed Brigade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 221st Mixed Brigade |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1914–1919 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry Brigade |
| Role | Home Defence |
| Part of | Scottish Coast Defences Southern Army Eastern Command |
The 221st Mixed Brigade was a special military group from Scotland that was part of the British Army. This group helped protect the home country during World War I. It was known by different names throughout the war.
Contents
How the Brigade Started
Before World War I, Britain had a group called the Volunteer Force. In 1908, this group changed and became the Territorial Force (TF). The Lothian Brigade was part of this new force. It was unique because it worked independently to defend the Scottish coast, rather than being part of a larger division.
Joining the War Effort
When World War I began on August 4, 1914, the Lothian Brigade got ready for action in Edinburgh. It was led by Brigadier-General H.F. Kays. The brigade's main job was to protect the Scottish coast.
Many different units joined the Lothian Brigade. Some were from the Royal Scots and the Highland Light Infantry. Soon after, new battalions were formed. These were for soldiers who could not go overseas or for new volunteers.
Over time, many of the original battalions went to fight overseas. So, the two Lothian Brigades (the original and the new one) joined together. Other groups also joined for short times. These included reserve battalions and special "Pals' Battalions". One famous "Pals' Battalion" was made up of players and fans from the Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
Becoming a Provisional Brigade
In 1915, the army reorganized again. Soldiers who were only fit for service at home were grouped into "Provisional Battalions." The Lothian Brigade changed its name first to Scottish Provisional Brigade and then to 1st Provisional Brigade.
The 1st Provisional Brigade included various Scottish battalions. These were made up of soldiers who stayed home to defend the coast. In April 1916, the brigade moved from Edinburgh to the East Kent coast in England. Here, it helped protect that part of the country.
Protecting the Home Front
In 1916, a new law called the Military Service Act 1916 meant that all soldiers in the Territorial Force could be sent overseas if they were healthy enough. Because of this, the Provisional Brigades changed again.
On January 1, 1917, the 1st Provisional Brigade became the 221st Infantry Brigade. Its units were given new names. This brigade continued to guard the Kent coast. They sometimes faced attacks from German Zeppelins and airplanes.
Later, on October 25, 1917, the group's name changed to 221st Mixed Brigade. This new name showed that it included different types of military units, not just infantry (foot soldiers).
In February 1918, the brigade moved to a new command under the Cyclist Division. In May 1918, the brigade had to send one of its battalions to help rebuild another division that had suffered heavy losses in battle. The 221st Mixed Brigade quickly formed a new battalion to take over its coastal defense duties.
As the war neared its end, the brigade received orders to break up on November 7, 1918. The different battalions gradually left in the following months. The brigade's headquarters officially closed on April 11, 1919.
External Sources
- Chris Baker, The Long, Long Trail
- Mark Conrad, The British Army, 1914 (archive site)
- The Regimental Warpath 1914–1918
- David Porter's work on Provisional Brigades at Great War Forum
