218th Brigade (United Kingdom)

A new brigade under the title of the 218th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) was formed for service in the United Kingdom on 21 October 1940 under the Yorkshire Area headquarters. At first it was primarily composed of infantry battalions from Yorkshire regiments.^[7] The Brigade transferred to Yorkshire County Division when that formation was created on 19 March 1941. The Divisional headquarters became East Riding Coastal Area on 1 December 1941. On 22 December the Brigade was re-designated as the 218th Independent Infantry Brigade. The Brigade later transferred to the Durham and North Riding Coastal Area, then to the Northumbrian District before disbanding on 10 November 1942, when its battalions were converted to anti-tank regiments.^[7][8]

The following units served in the brigade: ^[7]

• As part of Yorkshire Area or the County Division
  • 8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (22 October 1940 — 6 November 1941)
  • 11th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment (22 October 1940 — 30 November 1941)
  • 10th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment (23 October 1940 — 30 November 1941)
  • 14th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (23 October 1940 — 29 November 1940)
• Under the various Military Districts
  • 11th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment (1 December 1941 — 23 September 1942)
  • 10th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment (1 December 1941 — 12 September 1942)
  • 6th (Pioneer) Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) (29 November 1940 — 23 May 1941)
  • 7th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry (29 November 1941 — 13 October 1942, converted later that year into the 99th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery)^[9]
  • 11th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment (11 December 1941 — 31 January 1942, converted into 118th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery)
  • 2nd Battalion, Liverpool Scottish (13 September — 9 November 1942, converted later that year into the 89th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery)^[9]
  • 19th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (27 September — 30 October 1942, converted later that year into the 98th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery)^[9]

The following officers commanded 218 Brigade:^[7]

• Brig D.C. Butterworth (21 October 1940 – 30 July 1941)^[10]
• Brig T.F. Given (from 30 July 1941)

• Cole, Howard (1973). Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire. London: Arms and Armour Press.
• J.M. Cowper, The King's Own: The Story of a Royal Regiment, Volume III: 1914–1950, Aldershot: Gale & Polden.
• Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
• The Long, Long Trail
• Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth
• The Royal Artillery 1939–45