16th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)


The 16th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army that saw active service during the Second Boer War and the First and Second World Wars.

History

Second Boer War

During the Second Boer War, the 16th brigade was active in South Africa as part of the 8th Division from early 1900 until the war ended in 1902. It was under the command of major-general Barrington Campbell, and included the following battalions:
The brigade was part of the 6th Infantry Division during the First World War. It served on the Western Front throughout the War.

Order of battle

Component units included:
The following commanded the 16th Infantry Brigade during the First World War:
  • Brigadier-General E. C. Ingouville-Williams
  • Brigadier-General C. L. Nicholson
  • Brigadier-General W. L. Osborn
  • Brigadier-General H. A. Walker
  • Brigadier-General P. W. Brown
  • Brigadier-General W. G. Braithwaite

    Second World War

The brigade was based in Palestine before the Second World War during the Arab revolt, and at the beginning of the war as part of the British 8th Infantry Division. It was later part of the British 6th Infantry Division which was redesignated as the British 70th Infantry Division on 10 October 1941. This brigade was involved in the breakout from Tobruk and after being transferred, along with the rest of the 70th Division, to India and Burma, it was transformed into a Chindit formation. It fought in the Second Chindit Campaign of 1944, commanded by Brigadier Gilmour Anderson. Battles which the brigade took part in included, Battle of Sidi Barrani, Battle of Bardia, Battle of Damascus, Battle of Tobruk.

Order of battle

According to War Office policy, regiments would be assigned to formations/commands for max of 3 years, and be rotated at the end of their tenure. Units which formed under the brigade during the war included:
During the period 26 February 1942 to 7 February 1943, when the brigade went to Ceylon, the following additional units were under its command:
In September 1943 the brigade was re-organised for Long-range penetration role under Special Force. During this period, the brigade controlled :
  • 45th Reconnaissance Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps — Forming 45 & 54 Columns, under command from 16 September 1943 – 17 October 1944 as infantry
  • 2nd Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment — Forming 21 & 22 Columns
  • 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment — Forming 17 & 71 Columns
  • 51st/69th Infantry Regiment, Royal Artillery — Forming 51 & 69 Columns, under command from 18 October 1943 – 28 October 1944 as infantry

    Officers Commanding

Commanding officers included:
  • Brigadier C.E.N. Lomax
  • Brigadier O.L. Roberts
  • Brigadier A.R. Aslett
  • Brigadier R.G. Price
  • Brigadier B.E. Fergusson
  • Brigadier C.J. Wilkinson
  • Brigadier G.M. Anderson