17th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

Updated on Sep 30, 2024

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Active 1914-19181939–1945 Branch British Army Size Brigade		Country United Kingdom Type Infantry Part of 5th Infantry Division

The 17th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade formation of the British Army which provided active service in both the First and Second World Wars. It was mainly composed of Regular Army battalions.

First World War

The 17th Brigade was originally part of the 6th Division during the First World War, The commander was Brigadier General W.R.B. Doran CB DSO on mobilisation. It was transferred to the 24th Division, a New Army division, on 14 October 1915. The brigade saw service mainly on the Western Front.

Component Units in World War I

On mobilisation - August 1914

Component units included:

1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

1st Battalion, Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment)

2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)

3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)

November 1918

Component units included:

8th (Service) Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)

17th Trench Mortar Battery

Second World War

The Brigade served with the 5th Infantry Division through most of the Second World War. On 5 May 1942 it was part of Force 121 in the invasion of Madagascar. After this, the 17th Infantry Brigade served in the invasion of Sicily with the British Eighth Army and the Italian Campaign before taking part in the closing stages of the campaign against Germany.