151st (Durham Light Infantry) Brigade


The Durham Light Infantry Brigade was formed in 1902 to command the part-time Volunteer battalions of the Durham Light Infantry. Previously these had been in a combined Tyne and Tees Brigade with battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers. It consisted of the 1st–4th Volunteer Battalions of the DLI, which were renumbered as the 5th–8th Battalions when the Volunteers were subsumed into the Territorial Force under the Haldane Reforms of 1908. Consisting of 6th–9th Battalions, it became part of the TF's Northumbrian Division. During World War I it was numbered as the 151st Brigade on 14 May 1915, when the division became the 50th Division. The TF also raised 2nd Line units and formations, and the 190th Brigade was formed in 63rd Division. The 1st Line battalions adopted the prefix '1/'

Order of Battle

The brigade's composition during World War I was as follows:
  • 1/6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry – reduced to training cadre 15 July 1918
  • 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry – left on 16 November 1915 to become the divisional pioneer battalion
  • 1/8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry – reduced to training cadre 15 July 1918
  • 1/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry – left 13 February 1918
  • 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment - joined 11 June 1915, left 21 December 1915
  • 1/5th Battalion, Border Regiment – joined from 149th Brigade 20 December 1915; left 13 February 1918
  • 1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry – joined from 150th Brigade12 February 1918; reduced to training cadre 15 July 1918
  • 151st Machine Gun Company – formed 6 February 1916; transferred to divisional Machine Gun Battalion 1 March 1918
  • 151st Trench Mortar Battery – formed June 1916
After the Third Battle of the Aisne, the 50th Division was reduced to training cadres. The 151st Brigade was then reconstituted with battalions withdrawn from Salonika, giving it the following composition:
After the Armistice with Germany, 50th Division was disbanded in France on 19 March 1919. The old Northumbrian Division was reconstituted in April 1920.

Actions

The brigade fought in the following actions during World War I:
The following officers commanded the brigade during World War I:
  • Col J.W. Sears, appointed 30 March 1913, till 16 December 1914
  • Brig-Gen H. Martin, till 4 July 1915
  • Brig-Gen J.S.M. Shea, till 17 May 1916
  • Brig-Gen P.T. Westmorland, till 6 September 1916
  • Brig-Gen N.J.G. Cameron, till 20 October 1917
  • Brig-Gen C.T. Martin, killed 27 May 1918
  • Lt-Col F. Walton, acting
  • Brig-Gen R.E. Sugden, from 7 June 1918

    External sources

Category:Durham Light Infantry
Category:Infantry brigades of the British Army
Category:Infantry brigades of the British Army in World War I
Category:Military units and formations established in 1915
Category:Military units and formations in County Durham
Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1919