210th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)

The 210th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) was an infantry brigade formation of the British Army organised during the Second World War to command a group of newly raised Home Defence battalions. It was later converted to a frontline brigade that served (under a new name) with distinction in the later years of the war, the 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade.

210th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)
Shoulder sleeve insignia of the Dorset County Division.
Active10 October 1940 13 January 1942
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeInfantry
RoleHome Defence
SizeBrigade
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Sir Gerald Templer

Origin

The brigade was formed for service in the United Kingdom on 10 October 1940 by No 10 Infantry Training Group. It was initially composed of newly raised battalions from English infantry regiments.[1]

Service

The brigade initially served in V Corps, and was then attached to 3rd Infantry Division (28 February – 24 April 1941) before becoming an integral part of the Dorset County Division. When that division was disbanded on 24 November 1941, 210 Brigade transferred to the 1st Infantry Division, and soon afterwards dropped the 'Home' part of its title. By now all of 210 Brigade's English home defence battalions had been posted away and were being replaced by frontline Irish battalions. The brigade was redesignated as the 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade on 13 January 1942. Under this designation it served with distinction in the Tunisian Campaign with the 6th Armoured Division before being transferred to the 78th Infantry Division in February 1943 with whom it saw service in the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Italian Campaign and later in Austria.[1][2]

Order of battle

The 210th Brigade was constituted as follows:[1]

Renamed the 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade on 12 January 1942.

Commanders

The following officers commanded the 210th Infantry Brigade:[1]

  • Brigadier N.V. Blacker (until 4 November 1940)
  • Brigadier Gerald Templer (4 November 1940–1 May 1941)
  • Brigadier H.P. Spark (1 May–30 December 1941)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Randle Starkey, 2nd Baronet (acting, 30 December 1940–12 January 1942)
  • Brigadier The O'Donovan (from 12 January 1942)

Notes

  1. Joslen, p. 373.
  2. Joslen, pp. 36, 109.

References

  • Lt-Col H.F. Joslen, Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945, London: HM Stationery Office, 1960/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2003, ISBN 1843424746.

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