225th Brigade (United Kingdom) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 225th Brigade225th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) |
|
|---|---|
| Active | May 1915–1919 14 November 1940 – 30 November 1941 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Training and Home Defence |
| Size | Brigade |
| Engagements | First World War Second World War |
The 225th Brigade was a special group of soldiers in the British Army. They were mainly involved in defending Britain at home during both the First World War and the Second World War. This brigade had a few different names over time, but "225th Brigade" was always part of it.
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The 225th Brigade in World War I
When the World War I started, the Territorial Force (TF) was quickly called upon to defend Britain. Many soldiers from the TF went to fight overseas. But some soldiers stayed home because they either didn't volunteer for overseas service or weren't healthy enough.
Forming Provisional Battalions
In May 1915, these "Home Service" soldiers were grouped into special units called Provisional Battalions. These battalions were formed into brigades, which are large military units. Their main job was to protect the British coast.
5th Provisional Brigade Details
The 5th Provisional Brigade was one of these groups. It was made up of soldiers from regiments in East and South-East England. Here are some of the units that were part of it:
- 5th Provisional Yeomanry Squadron
- 5th Provisional Battery Royal Field Artillery (RFA)
- 5th Provisional Field Company Royal Engineers (RE)
- 63rd Provisional Battalion (from Middlesex Regiment)
- 65th Provisional Battalion (from Essex Regiment)
- 68th Provisional Battalion (from Bedfordshire Regiment and Hertfordshire Regiment)
- 69th Provisional Battalion (The Queen's) (from Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment)
- 5th Provisional Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps
- 5th Provisional Brigade Train Army Service Corps
In 1915, the 5th Provisional Brigade was based in Suffolk, a county in England. Their battalions were spread out in towns like Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, and Lowestoft, guarding the coast.
Becoming the 225th Mixed Brigade
In 1916, a new law called the Military Service Act 1916 changed things. All soldiers in the Territorial Force could now be sent overseas if they were healthy enough. Because of this, the Provisional Brigades were no longer needed in their original form.
So, in December 1916, the 5th Provisional Brigade changed its name to 225th Mixed Brigade. Its units were also given new names starting from January 1, 1917:
- 5th Provisional Battery became 1207th (Home Counties) Battery, RFA.
- 5th Provisional Field Company became 644th (Home Counties) Field Company, RE.
- 63rd Provisional Battalion became 32nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.
- 65th Provisional Battalion became 15th Battalion, Essex Regiment.
- 68th Provisional Battalion became 11th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
- 69th Provisional Battalion became 19th Battalion, Queen's Regiment.
- 5th Provisional Brigade Train became 837 Company ASC.
The 225th Mixed Brigade continued its duties until the end of the war. After the war ended, the brigade was disbanded.
The 225th Brigade in World War II
New Formation and Service
The 225th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) was formed again on November 14, 1940, during the Second World War. Its purpose was to serve in the United Kingdom for home defence. Brigadier J.W. Pendlebury was its commander.
The brigade was first part of Western Command. Then, for a short time, it joined the 54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division. In March 1941, the 225th Brigade became part of the new Northumberland County Division.
Final Changes and Disbandment
The Northumberland County Division was broken up on November 30, 1941. At this time, the headquarters of the 225th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) was renamed to become the headquarters of the 35th Army Tank Brigade. The infantry battalions that were part of the 225th Brigade were then changed into armoured units.
Units of the 225th Brigade
Here are the units that were part of the 225th Brigade during World War II:
- 10th Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) (November 1940 – November 1941)
- 14th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) (November 1940 – February 1941)
- 9th Battalion, Border Regiment (November 1940 – November 1941)
- 9th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment (November 1940 – May 1941)
- 12th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) (May 1941 – November 1941)
- 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (November 1941)
- 11th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) (November 1941)
The 225th Brigade number has not been used again since then.
