202nd (2/1st Kent) Brigade

The 2nd Kent Brigade was a 2nd Line Territorial Force Brigade of the British Army in World War I. The brigade was formed as a duplicate of the Kent Brigade in October 1914 as part of the 2nd Home Counties Division. As the name suggests, the brigade recruited in Kent. In August 1915, in common with all Territorial Force brigades, it was numbered as 202nd (2/1st Kent) Brigade. Between September 1917 and the end of the year, the brigade was extensively reorganized and lost its territorial identity; henceforth it was known as 202nd Brigade.

For the equivalent formation in World War II, see 202nd Independent Infantry Brigade (Home).

2nd Kent Brigade
202nd (2/1st Kent) Brigade
202nd Brigade
ActiveOctober 1914–17 March 1919
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of67th (2nd Home Counties) Division
ServiceWorld War I

History

In accordance with the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 (7 Edw.7, c.9) which brought the Territorial Force into being, the TF was intended to be a home defence force for service during wartime and members could not be compelled to serve outside the country. However, on the outbreak of war on 4 August 1914, many members volunteered for Imperial Service. Therefore, TF units were split into 1st Line (liable for overseas service) and 2nd Line (home service for those unable or unwilling to serve overseas) units. 2nd Line units performed the home defence role, although in fact most of these were also posted abroad in due course.[1]

The Brigade served on home defence duties throughout the war, whilst recruiting, training and supplying drafts to overseas units and formations. It was twice warned to prepare to be transferred to Ireland, and in April 1917 for service on the Western Front, but in the event never left England. It was eventually disbanded in March 1919.

Order of battle

The composition of 202nd Brigade was as follows (not all the infantry battalions served in the brigade at the same time):[2][3]

  • 2/4th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
  • 2/5th Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
  • 3/4th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
  • 2/5th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
  • 1st Battalion, Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (June – September 1917)
  • 284th Graduated Battalion, became 51st (Graduated) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
  • 286th Graduated Battalion, became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders
  • 2/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
  • 285th Graduated Battalion, became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
  • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
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See also

References
  1. Baker, Chris. "Was my soldier in the Territorial Force (TF)?". The Long, Long Trail. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. "67th (2nd Home Counties) Division". The Long Long Trail. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  3. Becke 1937, pp. 78–79

Bibliography
  • Becke, Major A.F. (1937). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 2B. The 2nd-Line Territorial Force Divisions (57th–69th) with The Home-Service Divisions (71st–73rd) and 74th and 75th Divisions. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 1-871167-00-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books Limited. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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