2nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
| 2 (South East) Brigade | |
|---|---|
| File:2ndSouthEastBrigade.gif Insignia of 2nd (South East) Brigade | |
| Active | Since World War I |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Role | Regional |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 4th Division |
| Engagements | World War I Battle of Mons First Battle of the Marne First Battle of the Aisne First Battle of Ypres Battle of Aubers Ridge Battle of Loos Battle of the Somme (1916) Battle of Pozières Third Battle of Ypres Battle of Épehy World War II Battle of France Tunisia Campaign Italian Campaign |
The 2nd Infantry Brigade (now the 2 (South East) Brigade) is a British Army Regional Brigade, active since the First World War. It is the regional formation of the Army in the South East of England - the Brigade commands and administers soldiers throughout Kent, Surrey and Sussex - but also Brunei.
History
During the Second World War the 2nd Infantry Brigade saw active service in many of the major campaigns that the British fought in, from France to Tunisia in North Africa and finally Italy. Throughout the war it was part of the 1st Infantry Division. Today, it is part of the UK's 4th Division as the 2nd (South East) Brigade.
Commanders (World War II)
- Brig. Charles Edward Hudson; 1938 - 1940
- Brig. Arthur Dowler; 1940 - 1941
- Brig. Eric Edward James Moore; 1941 - 1944
- Brig. Adrian Clements Gore; 1944
- Brig. Charles Edward Anson Firth; 1944
- Brig. Richard Neville Anderson; 1944 - 1945
Component units (World War II)
- 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders - (To 7 March 1940 surrendered St-Valery)
- 1st Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
- 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment
- 6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders
Current component units
In the House of Commons on 25 November 2002 the Secretary of State for Defence said that "The Brigade (along with 52 Brigade) was being re-roled from a regional brigade headquarters to provide better command and control arrangements for light infantry role battalions, all of which are currently deployable. The reorganisation of the brigade will not result in an increase in the number of deployable troops. The change will bring greater coherence to the way that light role units prepare for operations, through improved co-ordination of training".
Following broad reorganisation under the Future Army Structures, 2nd Infantry Brigade was renamed 2nd (South East) Brigade in 2007. The name is in line with its revised role as a Regional Brigade, responsible largely for Territorial Army units.
2nd (South East) Brigade commands:
- HQ 2nd (South East) Brigade: Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe Army Camp, Kent.
- 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) (3 PWRR): HQ in Canterbury, Kent.
- 103rd Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (103 Bn REME): HQ in Crawley, Sussex.
- Defence Fire Training and Development Centre, Manston [citation needed]
- British Military Garrison Brunei, Seria, Brunei, including 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR): British Resident Infantry Battalion (BRIB).
Note: 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR) is also based at Shorncliffe, but is assigned to 52nd Infantry Brigade.
Future
This Brigade is not listed under the Army 2020 plan. Control of the British Garrision Brunei is under 11th Brigade and possibly PJHQ.[1]
External links
- 2 (South East) Brigade - on British Army official website
- Official site for the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (The Tigers)
- Official site for 103 Battalion REME (V)
- Official site for the Royal Gurkha Rifles
- The British Army in Brunei - official website
- "2 Infantry Brigade". Orders of Battle.com.