Structure of the British Army in 1939 facts for kids

The British Army was getting ready for a big war in September 1939. They were making their anti-aircraft defenses stronger and adding more mobile units, including tanks. This included creating new groups like the Anti-Aircraft Command in April 1939 and the 1st Armoured Division in 1937.

This article will tell you about the different parts of the British Army at that time. It includes regular army units, units from British colonies, and those that were still being formed. It also covers the Territorial Army (TA), which was made up of part-time soldiers, and Supplementary Reserve (SR) units.

How the Army Was Organized

The British Army in 1939 was divided into different commands and districts. Each one was responsible for a specific area or type of defense.

The War Office: The Army's Headquarters

The War Office (often called WO) was the main office in the British Government that controlled all the armed forces. These forces were based in the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland and the Middle East.

• The person in charge was the Secretary of State for War, Leslie Hore-Belisha.
• The Secretary of State was also the head of the Army Council, a group of 7 other important leaders.
• Other departments managed things like finances, military missions to other countries, and officer training.

Commands Across the UK

The UK was split into several large commands, each looking after a different part of the country.

Aldershot Command

Aldershot Command covered parts of southern England, including Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and Sussex. Its main groups were:

• 1st Army Tank Brigade (tanks)
• 1st Anti-Aircraft Brigade (air defense)
• 1st Infantry Division (foot soldiers)
• 2nd Infantry Division (foot soldiers)

Northern Command

Northern Command was based in York. It covered a large area of northern and central England. The commander was General Sir William 'Barty' Henry Bartholomew. This command had many different types of units, from signals to engineers and medical teams.

5th Infantry Division

The 5th Infantry Division was based at Catterick Camp. It was led by Major General Harold Edmund Franklyn. This division included:

• Headquarters and signal units.
• Two infantry brigades: 13th Infantry Brigade and 15th Infantry Brigade. Each had several battalions of soldiers and anti-tank companies.
• Support units like the Royal Army Service Corps (for supplies).

Northumbrian Area

The Northumbrian Area was based in Darlington. It covered counties like Northumberland and County Durham. This area had various local units, including cavalry (soldiers on horseback), artillery (big guns), and engineers. It also had coastal defense units to protect ports.

23rd (Northumbrian) Division (2/TA)

The 23rd (Northumbrian) Division was a Territorial Army division based in Darlington. It was commanded by Major General William Norman Herbert. It included:

• Motorcycle reconnaissance units to scout ahead.
• Two infantry brigades: 69th Infantry Brigade and 70th Infantry Brigade.
• Its own artillery and engineer units.

50th (Northumbrian) Motor Division (TA)

The 50th (Northumbrian) Motor Division was another Territorial Army division in Darlington. It was led by Major General Sir Giffard Le Quesne Martel. This division was designed to move quickly and included:

• Motorcycle reconnaissance.
• Two infantry brigades: 150th Infantry Brigade and 151st Infantry Brigade.
• Medical units (Field Ambulances), artillery, and engineers.

West Riding Area

The West Riding Area was based in York. It covered a wide region, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It had cavalry, various artillery regiments (including anti-aircraft), and training groups for infantry.

46th Infantry Division (2/TA)

The 46th Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based in York. It was commanded by Major General Algeron Lee Ransome. This division included:

• Three infantry brigades: 137th Infantry Brigade, 138th Infantry Brigade, and 139th Infantry Brigade.
• Its own artillery (including anti-tank units) and engineers.

49th (West Riding) Infantry Division (TA)

The 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division was another Territorial Army division in Clifton. It was led by Major General Pierse Joseph Mackesy. Similar to other divisions, it had:

• Three infantry brigades: 146th Infantry Brigade, 147th Infantry Brigade, and 148th Infantry Brigade.
• Artillery and engineer units to support its operations.

Scottish Command

Scottish Command was based in Edinburgh and was responsible for all of Scotland. The commander was General Sir Charles John Cecil Grant. This command had various signal companies, infantry battalions, and artillery. It also managed coastal defenses for important Scottish ports.

Highland Area

The Highland Area, based in Perth, covered a large part of northern Scotland. It included local cavalry units like the Lovat Scouts and infantry battalions. It also had medium and light anti-aircraft artillery, as well as coastal defense units for places like the Orkneys.

9th (Highland) Infantry Division (2/TA)

The 9th (Highland) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based in Perth. It was commanded by Major General George Mackintosh Lindsay. Its structure included:

• Three infantry brigades: 26th Infantry Brigade, 27th Infantry Brigade, and 28th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

51st (Highland) Infantry Division (TA)

The 51st (Highland) Infantry Division was another Territorial Army division in Perth. It was led by Major General Victor Morven Fortune. This division also had:

• Three infantry brigades: 152nd (Highland) Infantry Brigade, 153rd (Highland) Infantry Brigade, and 154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade.
• Its own artillery (including anti-tank units) and engineers.

Lowland Area

The Lowland Area was based in Darlington (despite its name, covering southern Scotland). It included cavalry units, medium artillery, and depots for various infantry regiments. It also managed coastal defenses for the Forth and Clyde rivers.

15th (Scottish) Infantry Division (2/TA)

The 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based in Glasgow. It was commanded by Major General Roland Le Fanu. This division had:

• Three infantry brigades: 44th Infantry Brigade, 45th Infantry Brigade, and 46th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division (TA)

The 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division was another Territorial Army division in Glasgow. It was led by Major General James Syme Drew. Its structure was similar, with:

• Three infantry brigades: 155th (South Scottish) Infantry Brigade, 156th (Scottish Rifles) Infantry Brigade, and 157th (Highland Light Infantry) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

Eastern Command

Eastern Command was one of the southern commands, covering a large area from Cambridgeshire to Surrey. Its headquarters were at Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow, commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Guy Williams. This command had a wide range of units, including cavalry, infantry, artillery, engineers, and supply corps. It also managed coastal artillery defenses.

4th Infantry Division

The 4th Infantry Division was based at Colchester Garrison. It was commanded by Major General Dudley Graham Johnson. This division included:

• Reconnaissance units (like the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards).
• A machine-gun battalion.
• Three infantry brigades: 10th Infantry Brigade, 11th Infantry Brigade, and 12th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

East Anglian Area

The East Anglian Area covered counties like Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. Its headquarters were at The Barracks, Herford. It included various infantry battalions, artillery regiments, and engineer companies.

18th Infantry Division (2/TA)

The 18th (Eastern) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based in Hertford. It was commanded by Major General Thomas Gerald Dalby. This division had:

• Two infantry brigades: 54th Infantry Brigade and 55th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division (TA)

The 54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division was another Territorial Army division in Hertford. It was led by Major General John Hedley Thornton Priestman. This division included:

• Three infantry brigades: 161st (Essex and London) Infantry Brigade, 162nd (East Midland) Infantry Brigade, and 163rd (Norfolk) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

Chatham Area

The Chatham Area covered parts of Kent and Essex, focusing on the River Thames and River Medway estuaries. Its headquarters were at Kitchener Barracks, commanded by Major General Ridley Pakenham Pakenham-Walsh. It had heavy artillery and engineer training units.

Home Counties Area

The Home Counties Area covered Kent, Sussex, and Surrey. Its headquarters were at Woolwich Station. It included various infantry depots, field artillery, and fortress engineers. It also had parts of the 21st Army Tank Brigade.

12th (Eastern) Infantry Division

The 12th (Eastern) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based at Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich. It was commanded by Major General Roderic Loraine Petre. This division included:

• Three infantry brigades: 35th Infantry Brigade, 36th Infantry Brigade, and 37th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division

The 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division was another Territorial Army division based at Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich. It was commanded by Major General Edmund Archibald Osborne. This division had:

• Three infantry brigades: 131st (Surrey) Infantry Brigade, 132nd Infantry Brigade, and 133rd (Kent and Sussex) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

Northern Ireland District

The Northern Ireland District covered all of Northern Ireland. Its headquarters were at Victoria Barracks, commanded by Major General Robert Valentine Pollock. It included cavalry, infantry battalions, and fortress engineers. It also had its own anti-aircraft brigade.

Western Command

Western Command was the largest command by area, covering Wales and several English counties like Lancashire and Cheshire. Its headquarters were at Dale Barracks 'The Dale', commanded by Lieutenant General Robert Hadden Haining. This command had a wide variety of units, including signals, infantry, engineers, and supply corps. It also managed anti-aircraft and coastal defenses for ports.

Welsh Area

The Welsh Area covered Wales and parts of Shropshire and Herefordshire. Its headquarters were at Copthorne Barracks. It included cavalry, infantry depots, various artillery units, and coastal defense engineers.

38th (Welsh) Infantry Division (2/TA)

The 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based in Shrewsbury. It was commanded by Major General Geoffrey Taunton Raikes. This division included:

• Three infantry brigades: 113th (South Wales) Infantry Brigade, 114th (Welsh Border) Infantry Brigade, and 115th (Royal Welch Fusiliers) Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division (1/TA)

The 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division was another Territorial Army division in Shrewsbury. It was led by Major General Bevil Thomson Wilson. This division also had:

• Three infantry brigades: 158th (Royal Welch Fusiliers) Infantry Brigade, 159th (Welsh Border) Infantry Brigade, and 160th (South Wales) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

West Lancashire Area

The West Lancashire Area covered parts of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire. Its headquarters were in Preston. It included machine-gun battalions, infantry depots, various artillery regiments, and engineer companies. It also had cavalry and tank brigades, as well as coastal defenses.

55th (West Lancashire) Motor Division (TA)

The 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army motor division based in Liverpool. It was commanded by Major General Vivian Henry Bruce Majendie. This division was designed for quick movement and included:

• Motorcycle reconnaissance.
• Two motor infantry brigades: 164th Infantry Brigade and 165th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

59th (Staffordshire) Motor Division (2/TA)

The 59th (Staffordshire) Motor Division was another Territorial Army motor division in Stafford. It was led by Major General John Blakiston-Houston. This division also had:

• Motorcycle reconnaissance.
• Two infantry brigades: 176th Infantry Brigade and 177th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers (though the engineer unit was still forming).

East Lancashire Area

The East Lancashire Area covered Cumberland, Westmorland, and parts of Lancashire. Its headquarters were in Manchester. It included cavalry, machine-gun battalions, infantry depots, various anti-aircraft artillery units, and engineer companies. It also had tank brigades.

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division (TA)

The 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based in Manchester. It was commanded by Major General William George Holmes. This division included:

• Three infantry brigades: 125th (Lancashire Fusiliers) Infantry Brigade, 126th Infantry Brigade, and 127th (Manchester) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

66th Infantry Division (2/TA)

The 66th Infantry Division was another Territorial Army division in Manchester. It was led by Major General Arthur William Purser. This division also had:

• Three infantry brigades: 197th Infantry Brigade, 198th Infantry Brigade, and 199th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

London District

The London District covered the County of London and surrounding military areas. Its headquarters were at Horse Guards, commanded by Major-General Commanding the Brigade of Guards and General Officer Commanding London District Sir Andrew Thorne. This district included elite units like the Life Guards and Scots Guards, as well as various signal, artillery, and engineer units. It also had "Officers Producing Groups" for training future leaders and armoured brigades.

1st London Motor Division (TA)

The 1st London Motor Division was a Territorial Army motor division based at Finsbury Barracks. It was commanded by Major General Claude Francis Liardet. This division was designed for rapid movement and included:

• Motorcycle reconnaissance.
• Three infantry brigades: 1st London Infantry Brigade, 2nd London Infantry Brigade, and 3rd London Infantry Brigade (attached for administration).
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

2nd London Motor Division (2/TA)

The 2nd London Motor Division was another Territorial Army motor division in London. It was led by Major General Harry Willans. This division also had:

• Motorcycle reconnaissance.
• Three infantry brigades: 4th London Infantry Brigade, 5th London Infantry Brigade, and 6th London Infantry Brigade (attached for administration).
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

Southern Command

Southern Command covered a large area of southern England, from Warwickshire to Cornwall. Its headquarters were at Bulford Barracks, commanded by Lieutenant General Bertie Drew Fisher. This command had many different types of units, including signals, artillery, engineers, and supply corps.

1st Armoured Division

The 1st Armoured Division was based at Priory Lodge, Andore. It was commanded by Major General Roger Evans. This division was a powerful force with:

• Two light armoured brigades: 1st Light Armoured Brigade and 2nd Light Armoured Brigade, each with several Hussar regiments (cavalry).
• A heavy armoured brigade: 1st Heavy Armoured Brigade, with Royal Tank Regiments.
• A support group with mechanised infantry and Royal Horse Artillery.
• Divisional engineers.

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division was based at Bulford Barracks. It was a mix of regular and Territorial Army units, commanded by Major General Bernard Law Montgomery. This division included:

• Divisional reconnaissance.
• Three infantry brigades: 7th (Guards) Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Brigade, and 9th Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

Salisbury Plain Area

The Salisbury Plain Area covered a specific part of Wiltshire and Hampshire, known for military training. Its headquarters were at Bulford Barracks. It mainly housed infantry and artillery depots.

South Midland Area

The South Midland Area covered counties like Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. Its headquarters were at Cowley Barracks. It included infantry battalions, various depots, artillery (including anti-aircraft), and engineer companies. It also had a light armoured brigade.

48th (South Midland) Infantry Division (TA)

The 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based in Oxford. It was commanded by Major General Frank Crowther Roberts. This division included:

• Three infantry brigades: 143rd (West Midlands) Infantry Brigade, 144th (Gloucester and Worcester) Infantry Brigade, and 145th (South Midland) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery and engineers.

61st Infantry Division (2/TA)

The 61st Infantry Division (2/TA) was another Territorial Army division in Oxford. It was led by Major General Robert John Collins. This division also had:

• Three infantry brigades: 182nd (2nd West Midlands) Infantry Brigade, 183rd (2nd Gloucester and Worcester) Infantry Brigade, and 184th (2nd South Midland) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery.

South-Western Area

The South-Western Area covered Somerset, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, and Cornwall. Its headquarters were at Raglan Barracks. It included cavalry, infantry depots, various artillery (including anti-aircraft), and coastal defense units for places like Portland and Plymouth.

43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division (TA)

The 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army division based in Salisbury. It was commanded by Major General Arthur Nugent Floyer-Acland. This division included:

• Three infantry brigades: 128th (Hampshire) Infantry Brigade, 129th (South Western) Infantry Brigade, and 130th (Hampshire and Dorset) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

45th Infantry Division (2/TA)

The 45th Infantry Division was another Territorial Army division in Exeter. It was led by Major General Frederick Vavasour Broome Witts. This division also had:

• Three infantry brigades: 134th (Devonshire) Infantry Brigade, 135th (Somerset) Infantry Brigade, and 136th (2nd Devon and Cornwall) Infantry Brigade.
• Divisional artillery (including anti-tank) and engineers.

Southern Area

The Southern Area covered parts of Hampshire. Its headquarters were commanded by Brigadier John Noel Lumley. It included infantry and rifle brigade depots, medium artillery, and various anti-aircraft and searchlight depots. It also had survey and bridging engineer units.

Anti-Aircraft Command (TA)

The Anti-Aircraft Command was a special command that controlled almost all the anti-aircraft (AA) units in the UK. Its headquarters were at RAF Stanmore Park, commanded by Lieutenant General Frederick Alfred Pile.

1st Anti-Aircraft Division

The 1st AA Division covered important areas like London, Dover, and Slough. Its headquarters were at RAF Uxbridge. This division had several anti-aircraft brigades, each with heavy AA regiments, light AA regiments, and searchlight regiments to spot enemy planes at night.

2nd Anti-Aircraft Division

The 2nd AA Division covered areas like Kingston upon Hull, Leeds, Sheffield, and Nottingham. Its headquarters were at RAF Hucknall. This division also had several anti-aircraft brigades with various AA and searchlight units.

3rd Anti-Aircraft Division

The 3rd AA Division covered the Firth of Forth, The Clyde, Scapa Flow, and cities like Belfast. Its headquarters were at RAF Edinburgh. This division had several anti-aircraft brigades with heavy AA, light AA, and searchlight units.

4th Anti-Aircraft Division

The 4th AA Division covered major industrial and population centers like Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry, Manchester, and Cardiff. Its headquarters were at RAF Hawarden. This division had several anti-aircraft brigades with heavy AA, light AA, and searchlight units.

5th Anti-Aircraft Division

The 5th AA Division covered areas like Bristol, Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Southampton. Its headquarters were at RAF Henley-on-Thames. This division had several anti-aircraft brigades with heavy AA and searchlight units.

6th Anti-Aircraft Division

The 6th AA Division covered the Thames and Medway estuaries and Harwich. Its headquarters were at RAF Uxbridge. This division had several anti-aircraft brigades with heavy AA, light AA, and searchlight units.

7th Anti-Aircraft Division

The 7th AA Division covered the River Tyne, River Tees, and Middlesbrough. Its headquarters were at RAF Newcastle. This division had several anti-aircraft brigades with heavy AA and searchlight units.

British Forces Around the World

The British Army also had forces stationed in many parts of the world to protect the British Empire.

Middle East Command

Middle East Command controlled all British forces in places like Sudan, Aden, Palestine, and Egypt. Its headquarters were in Cairo, commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Archibald Percival Wavell.

British Troops in Aden

British Troops Aden were based at Khormaksar, commanded by Air vice-marshal Sir George Ranald MacFarlane Reid. They included signal units, infantry, and artillery for defense.

British Troops in Egypt

British Troops in Egypt were based in Cairo, commanded by Lieutenant General Henry Maitland Wilson. They had signal units, various infantry battalions, artillery, and a large supply corps. They also included the 18th Infantry Brigade and the Canal Brigade.

Armoured Division (Egypt)

The Armoured Division (Egypt) was based at Gerwala, commanded by Major General Percy Cleghorn Stanley Hobart. This division was a key armored force with:

• Armored reconnaissance units.
• Mechanised infantry.
• Light and heavy armoured brigades with Hussar and Royal Tank Regiments.

7th Infantry Division (Forming)

The 7th Infantry Division was still forming in Egypt, commanded by Major General Richard Nugent O'Connor. It included the Cairo Brigade and was developing its artillery and engineer units.

British Troops in Palestine and Transjordan

British Troops in Palestine and Transjordan were based in Jerusalem, commanded by Lieutenant General Michael Barker. They included local forces like the Transjordan Frontier Force and Arab Legion, along with British infantry and engineers.

8th Infantry Division

The 8th Infantry Division was based in Jerusalem, commanded by Major General Alfred Reade Godwin-Austen. This division had:

• Divisional reconnaissance.
• Two infantry brigades: 14th Infantry Brigade and 16th Infantry Brigade.

British Troops in The Sudan

British Troops in The Sudan were based in Khartoum, commanded by Major General William Platt. They included British infantry battalions and the local Sudan Defence Force, which had different corps for various regions.

The Army of India

The 'Army of India' was the name for all British and Indian units based in India. Its headquarters were led by General Sir Robert Archibald Cassels. It had many training schools for different military skills.

Auxiliary Forces, India

The Auxiliary Force (India) (AFI) was a part-time volunteer group within the Indian Army, made up of European and Anglo-Indian personnel. It included cavalry, infantry, and various local "contingents" with their own artillery and engineers.

Western District (Independent)

The Western District covered areas like Balochistan and Sindh. Its headquarters were in Quetta, commanded by Major General Thomas Jacomb Hutton. It included mountain regiments, engineer units, and various brigades like the Quetta Brigade, Khojak Brigade, and Zhob Brigade.

Northern Command (India)

Northern Command covered the North-West Frontier Province and Punjab. Its headquarters were in Rawalpindi, commanded by General Sir John Francis Stanhope Duke Coleridge. It included various districts like Kohat, Lahore, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi, each with different cavalry and infantry units.

Eastern Command (India)

Eastern Command covered areas like Delhi, the United Provinces, and Bengal. Its headquarters were in Nainital, commanded by General Sir Harry Beauchamp Douglas Baird. It included districts like Lucknow, Meerut, and Presidency & Assam, each with various cavalry, infantry, and artillery units.

Southern Command (India)

Southern Command covered a vast area of central and southern India. Its headquarters were in Poona, commanded by General Sir John Edward Spencer Brind. It included districts like Bombay, Deccan, and Madras, each with various cavalry, infantry, and engineer units.

Army in Burma

The Army in Burma was based in Rangoon, commanded by Major General Donald Kenneth McLeod. It included British and local Burmese infantry units, artillery, and military police. It was divided into the Rangoon Brigade and Mandalay Brigade.

Atlantic Region

The Atlantic region covered islands like the Falkland Islands, Newfoundland, Saint Helena, and Bermuda. Each had its own local defense forces, often including volunteer units and small detachments of British regular troops.

Caribbean

The Caribbean region included islands like Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Each island had its own volunteer or militia forces, often supported by small British detachments for signals, artillery, and engineers.

South America

The South America Region covered British Guiana and British Honduras (now Belize). These territories had their own militia and defense forces.

Mediterranean Region

The Mediterranean Region included important British colonies like Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus, and Iraq.

Gibraltar

British Troops on Gibraltar were commanded by the Governor of Gibraltar Sir Clive Gerard Liddell. They included British infantry battalions, the Gibraltar Defence Force, and coastal defense artillery and engineers.

Malta

Malta Command was led by the Governor of Malta General Sir Charles Bonham-Carter. It included local Maltese regiments, British infantry, and strong coastal defense and anti-aircraft artillery.

Iraq

British interests in Iraq were primarily represented by the Iraq Levies, based at Habbaniyah.

Cyprus

Cyprus had a small British presence, including signal sections and infantry companies.

China Command

China Command covered British interests in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Its headquarters were in Hong Kong, commanded by Governor of Hong Kong General Sir Geoffry Alexander Stafford Northcote.

Hong Kong Infantry Brigade

The Hong Kong Infantry Brigade included British and local infantry battalions, along with coastal artillery and engineers to defend the harbor. The Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps also played a big role, with various companies and batteries.

Shanghai Area

The Shanghai Area was commanded by Major General Frank Keith Simmons. It included British infantry battalions and the diverse Shanghai Volunteer Corps, which had units from different nationalities.

Tientsin Area

The Tientsin Area was commanded by Brigadier John Emilius Laurie, 6th Baronet. It had a British infantry battalion and engineers.

Malaya Command

Malaya Command covered British Malaya, British Singapore, and British Borneo. Its headquarters were in Singapore, commanded by Governor of the Straits Settlements Sir Thomas Shenton Whitelegge Thomas. It included local Malay regiments and volunteer forces.

Penang Fortress

Penang Fortress was a key defensive point. It had infantry, artillery, and engineers.

Federated Malay States Volunteer Force

This force was a volunteer group that included armored cars, infantry battalions, and engineer companies.

Singapore Fortress

Singapore Fortress was a major military base. It had strong coastal defenses, anti-aircraft units, and several infantry brigades, including British and Indian troops.

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean area covered islands like Ceylon and Mauritius.

Ceylon

The Ceylon Defence Force was based in Colombo, commanded by Governor of Ceylon Sir Andrew Caldecott. It included mounted rifles, light infantry, artillery, and engineers.

Mauritius

British Troops on Mauritius were based in Port Louis, commanded by the Governor of Mauritius Sir Bede Edward Hugh Clifford. They included local territorial forces, artillery, and engineers.

Pacific Ocean Region

The Pacific Ocean region included Fiji, Sarawak, and the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. Each had its own defense forces.

Royal West African Frontier Force

The Royal West African Frontier Force (also known as the West African Force) included troops from Colony of Nigeria, Gold Coast Protectorate, Colony of Sierra Leone, and Gambia Protectorate. Its headquarters were commanded by Brigadier Collen Edward Melville Richards. It included infantry brigades and artillery.

East African Force

The East African Force covered areas like Uganda Protectorate, Kenya Colony, and Tanganyika Mandate. Its headquarters were in Nairobi, commanded by Major General Douglas Povah Dickinson. It included battalions from the King's African Rifles and local defense forces.