130th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 130th Infantry Brigade was a Territorial brigade of the British Army. The brigade was created as the Devon and Cornwall Brigade of the Wessex Division, later 43rd (Wessex) Division, in 1908.

First World War
In 1914, the Wessex Division was sent to India to replace regular army battalions in the garrison there. One battalion of the brigade, the 1st/5th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry remained in the UK and served with the 61st Division. In December 1914 the divisions of the Territorial Force, and their component brigades, were given numbers. The Devon and Cornwall Brigade became the 130th Infantry Brigade. In India, the original battalions were transferred to Indian brigades, remaining in India throughout the First World War.

Between the wars
The brigade was recreated in 1920 when the Territorial Force was reformed as the Territorial Army. It again formed part of the 43rd (Wessex) Division, controlling battalions from Devon and Cornwall. In 1939, the Territorial Army was doubled in size and the original 130th Brigade became part of the 45th Division. A new 130th brigade was formed from battalions of the Hampshire Regiment and the Dorset Regiment.

Second World War
This brigade was an organic part of the 43rd (Wessex) Division and served with that formation throughout the Second World War.

Battles

 * Battle of Normandy
 * Battle of Caen
 * The Nederrijn
 * Operation Market Garden
 * The Rhineland

Commanders
*Brig.H.S.Woodhouse
 * Brig.B.K.Young
 * Brig.F.Y.C.Knox
 * Brig.N.D.Leslie
 * Brig.B.B.Walton
 * Brig.B.A.Coad

Component Units

 * 4th Battalion, The Dorsetshire Regiment
 * 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
 * 7th Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment

Post-War
The 130th (West Country) Infantry Brigade formed part of the 43rd Division in the post-Second World War Territorial Army, controlling battalions from Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. It was disbanded in 1961.