203rd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)


203rd Infantry Brigade was a Home Defence formation of the British Army during World War II.

Origin

The brigade was formed as 203rd Independent Infantry Brigade for service in the United Kingdom on 11 October 1940 by No 3 Infantry Training Group in the South West Area of Southern Command. It consisted of five recently formed infantry battalions. Home brigades had a purely static defence role.

Service

203rd Independent Infantry Brigade served in SW Area/Devon and Cornwall County Division until 1 December 1942, when the County Division was renamed 77th Infantry Division and the brigade was redesignated 203rd Infantry Brigade. On 1 September 1944, 77th Division was disbanded and its personnel reformed as 45th Division. At the same time 203rd Brigade was redesignated 134th Infantry Brigade. All of these formations remained in the United Kingdom throughout the war.

Order of Battle

203rd Brigade was composed as follows:
As part of the Devon and Cornwall County Division:
Between 30 June and 19 July 1941 the 7th East Yorks, 6th DCLI and 8th Beds & Herts were all transferred to reconstitute 73rd Independent Bde, which took over all the static units in Cornwall. This left 203rd Bde with only 9th Duke of Wellington's under command, but the following units were added to it over time:
As part of 77th Division:
As part of 45th Division to end of war:
The following officers commanded the brigade: