Unit Name: | 228th Infantry Brigade |
Dates: | 26 February 1917 – 4 October 1918 12 October 1942 – 16 September 1943 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Branch: | British Army |
Type: | Infantry Brigade |
Garrison: | First World War: Salonika front Second World War: Shetland Islands |
Notable Commanders: | William Fraser |
228th Brigade (228 Bde) was a formation of the British Army in both the First and Second World Wars.
228th Brigade was created on 26 February 1917 as a formation of Army Troops within the British Salonika Army under Brigadier General W. C. Ross[1] [2] [3]
The following units served in the brigade:[3]
Although an independent formation, 228 Bde was always associated with 28th Division.[3] It was formed of garrison battalions, which were not normally expected to serve in the front line due to the men's age or low medical category.[10] One staff officer wrote: 'Physically the brigade was in a terrible state. They were splendid crocks ... Some were almost blind, some almost deaf, and the 22nd Rifle Brigade ... had more than sixty men over sixty years old'.[11] Because of its slow rate of marching, the 228th became known as the 'Too Too Late Brigade'.[12]
On 30 September 1918, during the final Allied offensive on the Salonika front, 228 Bde came under the command of the Greek Crete Division. 228 Bde was broken up on 4 October 1918.[3] [8]
The Second World War brigade was formed (as 228th Independent Infantry Brigade) in the Shetland Islands on 12 February 1942, by the redesignation of Headquarters Shetland Defences. Its commander was Brigadier the Hon William Fraser.[13]
The following units served in the brigade:[13]
228 Bde served under OSDEF (Orkney & Shetland Defences) until 16 September 1943, when the brigade was disbanded.[13]