The 24th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army from the First World War. It was reraised during the Second World War, as the 24th Infantry Brigade (Guards). During various designations, the brigade was active throughout the Cold War and existed until 1999, when it was merged with the 5 Airborne Brigade to become 16 Air Assault Brigade.
First World War
The Brigade was first formed as part of the 8th Division by battalions returning from overseas stations to reinforce British forces on the Western Front in France. The Brigade moved to France with the rest of the 8th Division in November 1914 and fought there for the entire war.
Order of battle 1914–18
The order of battle included: 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (left February 1918) 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment 1/5th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) (from November 1914, left October 1915) 1/4th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (from February to April 1915) 24th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps (formed 19 January 1916, moved to 8th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps 20 January 1918) 24th Trench Mortar Battery (formed January 1916)
Commanders
The commanders of the 24th Infantry Brigade during the First World War were: Brigadier-General F. C. Carter (29 September 1914) Brigadier-General R. S. Oxley (16 March 1915) Lieutenant-Colonel T. S. Lambert (27 July 1915 - acting) Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. Buckle (28 July 1915 - acting) Brigadier-General R. S. Oxley (1 August 1915) Brigadier-General A. J. F. Eden (8 July 1916) Brigadier-General H. W. Cobham (14 January 1917) Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. H. Stirling (7 November 1917 - acting) Brigadier-General R. Haig (24 November 1917) Brigadier-General L. M. Stevens (4 June 1918) Lieutenant-Colonel S. S. Hayne (14 August 1918 - acting) Brigadier-General R. O'H. Livesay (6 September 1918)
Second World War
The 24th Infantry Brigade (Guards) was formed on 13 February 1940. In April 1940, the brigade was part of the unsuccessful British force sent to fight in the Norwegian Campaign. The brigade arrived in Narvik on 15 April 1940, and was evacuated on 8 June 1940.
In 1942-1943, the brigade formed part of the 1st Infantry Division and the 6th Armoured Division during the Tunisia Campaign. From 7 December 1943 to 31 August 1945, it served in the Italian Campaign with the 1st Infantry Division, and fought at the Battle of Anzio from January to March 1944. By the time the brigade was relieved, it had suffered 1,950 casualties. From March 1944, the brigade supported the 6th South African Armoured Division until March 1945, and then joined the 56th (London) Infantry Division. The brigade helped liberate Trieste in 1945. After the end of the war, the brigade lost its 'Guards' title, and was redesignated as the 24th Independent Infantry Brigade. The brigade formed the infantry element of the Trieste Garrison - BETFOR (British Element Trieste Force).
Order of Battle 1939–45
1st Battalion, Scots Guards (from 1 March 1940) 1st Battalion, Irish Guards (from 1 March 1940 until 13 March 1944) 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers (from 4 March until 10 June 1940) 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards (from 16 June 1940 until 12 September 1941) 24th Infantry Brigade (Guards) Anti-Tank Company (formed 1 September 1940, disbanded 10 February 1941) 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (from 9 December 1940 until 5 June 1942) 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment (from 12 September 1941 until 10 September 1942) 5th Battalion, Grenadier Guards (from 5 June 1942 until 28 March 1945) 11th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment (from 11 September until 29 October 1942) 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards (from 13 March 1944 until 28 February 1945) 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards (from 10 March 1945) 1st Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) (from 10 March 1945) 42nd Field Company, Royal Engineers 137th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps 550th Company, Royal Corps of Signals 24th Independent Guards Brigade Group Workshop, Royal Engineers
Commanders
The following officers commanded the brigade during the war: Brigadier W. Fraser Brigadier Colin McVean Gubbins Brigadier Frederick Browning Brigadier W.P.A. Bradshaw Brigadier A.S.P. Murray Brigadier M.D. Erskine Brigadier A.F.L. Clive