Active 1908–February 1916 Branch British Army Size Brigade | Country United Kingdom Type Yeomanry HQ (peacetime) Inverness | |
The Highland Mounted Brigade was a formation of the Territorial Force of the British Army, organised in 1908. After service in the Gallipoli Campaign and in the defence of Egypt, it was absorbed into the 2nd Dismounted Brigade in February 1916.
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Formation
Under the terms of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 (7 Edw.7, c.9), the brigade was formed in 1908 as part of the Territorial Force. It consisted of three yeomanry regiments, a horse artillery battery and ammunition column, a transport and supply column and a field ambulance.
As the name suggests, the units were drawn from the Scottish Highlands.
World War I
The brigade was embodied on 4 August 1914 and placed under First Army of Central Force. It moved to the Huntingdon area and then to Lincolnshire in November 1914. In April 1915, the brigade moved to Norfolk until August 1915 when it was dismounted.
Gallipoli
On 8 September 1915, the brigade boarded RMS Andania at Devonport and sailed for Alexandria, Egypt arriving on 18 September. On 26 September it landed at Gallipoli where it joined 2nd Mounted Division. The brigade remained at Suvla until evacuated on the night of 19/20 December 1915. It left 2nd Mounted Division on 22 December. It was transported to Alexandria via Imbros (20-24 December) and Mudros (24-26 December), arriving on 28 December and went to Sidi Bishr Camp.
Egypt
In late December 1915, the brigade returned to Egypt. It served on Suez Canal defences and as part of the Western Frontier Force.
In February 1916, Highland Mounted Brigade was absorbed into the 2nd Dismounted Brigade (along with the 2nd South Western Mounted Brigade). 2nd Dismounted Brigade was later renamed as 229th Brigade in the 74th (Yeomanry) Division.
Commanders
The Highland Mounted Brigade had the following commanders: