39th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 39th Infantry Brigade
Badge of 39th Infantry Brigade
Active	August 1914–1919 1951–2007
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Brigade
Part of	13th (Western) Division 3rd Division
Engagements	First World War Suez Canal Cyprus Kenya Aden The Troubles

The 39th Infantry Brigade was a special group of soldiers in the British Army. It was first created during the First World War and then started up again in the 1950s.

History of the 39th Brigade

World War I Adventures

The 39th Infantry Brigade first came together for the First World War in 1914. It was part of the 13th (Western) Division. This brigade traveled to many places during the war. They fought in Gallipoli, a place in Turkey, and then moved to Mesopotamia (which is now Iraq). Later, they were in Persia (modern-day Iran).

In July 1918, the brigade left its division. It joined the North Persia Force and stayed there until August 1919.

Many different groups of soldiers were part of the 39th Brigade during this time. These included:

• 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
• 7th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
• 9th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
• 7th (Service) Battalion, Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment)
• 39th Machine Gun Company (they joined in October 1916)
• 39th Supply and Transport Column, Army Service Corps (they helped with supplies from January 1917)
• 39th Trench Mortar Battery (these soldiers used special weapons called trench mortars)

After World War II

The 39th Brigade was not active during the Second World War. But in the early 1950s, it was formed again in the United Kingdom. On April 1, 1951, it became part of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Its first big mission after reforming was in October 1951. The brigade moved to Cyprus on two aircraft carriers. From there, they went to Egypt. They helped keep peace in the Suez Canal area. The brigade had two main groups of soldiers: the 1st Buffs and the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Soon after, the 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment, joined them.

In October 1952, the brigade returned to the UK. This was to help rebuild the country's main army reserve.

Operations in Kenya

In February 1953, the brigade was asked to go to Kenya. Their job was to help with anti-Mau Mau operations. The Mau Mau were a group fighting for independence. The brigade arrived in April 1953 with two battalions: the 1st Buffs and the 1st Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment. They worked in Kenya's Rift Valley.

After more than a year, these groups were replaced by new soldiers. These were the 1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade. The 39th Brigade left Kenya in 1956 and moved to Northern Ireland.

Mission in Aden

In May 1964, the brigade's headquarters moved from Northern Ireland to Aden. Aden is a city in Yemen. They helped with operations in the Radfan area until October.

Serving in Northern Ireland

Back in the UK, the brigade joined the 5th Infantry Division in April 1968. From August 1969, the 39th Brigade became very involved in The Troubles in Northern Ireland. This was a difficult time of conflict. The brigade was in charge of areas like Belfast and the eastern part of Northern Ireland.

Brigade Structure in 1989

Here are some of the groups that were part of the 39th Infantry Brigade in 1989:

• HQ 39th Infantry Brigade & 213th Signal Squadron, Royal Signals, in Lisburn
  • 1st Btn, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), in Ballykinler
  • 3rd Btn, Queen's Regiment, at RAF Aldergrove
  • 3rd Btn, Parachute Regiment, in Belfast
  • 1st/9th Btn, Ulster Defence Regiment
  • 3rd Btn, Ulster Defence Regiment
  • 7th/10th Btn, Ulster Defence Regiment
  • 33rd Independent Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, in Antrim

The 39th Brigade took over some units from another brigade in September 2004. Then, in September 2006, the headquarters of the 8th Infantry Brigade joined the 39th Brigade.

Finally, on August 1, 2007, the 39th Brigade combined with another group called the 107 (Ulster) Brigade. Together, they formed a new group called the 38 (Irish) Brigade. This marked the end of the 39th Infantry Brigade as a separate unit.