204th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)


204th Independent Infantry Brigade was a Home Defence formation of the British Army during World War II.

Origin

The 204th Independent Infantry Brigade was formed for service in the United Kingdom on 12 October 1940 by No 4 Infantry Training Group in the West Midland Area of Home Forces. It was commanded by Brigadier G. McI. Bruce and comprised four newly raised infantry battalions from the North and Midlands of England.

Service

The brigade moved from West Midlands Area to the Lincolnshire County Division when that was formed on 27 March 1941. The Lincolnshire County Division ceased to function on 24 November and the brigade, now re-designated the 204th Independent Infantry Brigade was transferred to the Durham and North Riding Coastal Area. On 1 September 1942, the Brigade headquarters was re-designated 185th Infantry Brigade and its units transferred to other formations. 7th South Lancashires, 12th Foresters and 7th Leicesters went to India while 8th South Lancashires was disbanded.

Order of battle

The composition of the 204th Brigade was as follows:
Attached when an Independent Brigade.
The brigade's cloth shoulder badge was a triangle composed of three smaller conjoined triangles in the Facing colours of its three senior units: buff, pearl grey and Lincoln green, the whole being edged in blue.

Online sources