25th Brigade 25th Infantry Brigade |
|
---|---|
Active | 5 October 1914 – 20 March 1919 1 November 1939 – 31 August 1944 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Brigade |
Part of |
8th Division 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division 47th (London) Infantry Division |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
Reginald Byng Stephens Clifford Coffin VC William Havelock Ramsden |
The 25th Infantry Brigade was a war-formed infantry brigade of the British Army that saw active service during both World War I and World War II.
The 25th Brigade was formed in October 1914 just after the outbreak of the First World War with battalions withdrawn from overseas garrisons. It formed part of the 8th Division and served with it on the Western Front until the end of the war, in particular taking part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele. It was disbanded in March 1919.
The brigade was reformed in November 1939 just after the outbreak of the Second World War. It saw action during the battles of France and Belgium in May 1940, predominantly with the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division. After being evacuated at Dunkirk, it remained in the United Kingdom with the 47th (London) Infantry Division until it was disbanded at the end of August 1944.
The 25th Brigade came into existence on 5 October 1914 (first commanding officer appointed) as part of the 8th Division shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. It was formed with four regular infantry battalions brought back to the United Kingdom from various overseas garrisons: 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment from Bermuda, 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment from Jhansi, India, 1st Royal Irish Rifles from Aden, and 2nd Rifle Brigade from Kuldana, Murree, India. The brigade concentrated at Hursley Park near Winchester and on 5 and 6 November 1914 it landed at Le Havre. It remained on the Western Front with the 8th Division for the rest of the war.