Essex County Division Explained

Unit Name:	Essex County Division
Dates:	18 February – 7 October 1941
Country:	United Kingdom
Branch:	British Army
Type:	Static Division

The Essex County Division was a short-lived formation of the British Army formed in the Second World War on 18 February 1941 by the redesignation of the West Sussex County Division. It was disbanded on 7 October.^[1] It had one commanding officer, Major-General J. H. T. Priestman. It was an infantry only formation consisting of three Independent Infantry Brigades (Home). Combat support, artillery, engineers etc., would be provided by other local formations.^[2] It was under the command of XI Corps from formation to 22 July and then under GHQ Home Forces.

Order of Battle

• 207th Independent Home Infantry Brigade^[3]
  • 7th Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (left 26 August 1941)
  • 9th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (left 27 August 1941)
  • 10th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment (left 25 August 1941)
  • 13th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (left 22 July 1941)

The brigade headquarters remained, without battalions, with the division until its disbanding, then it was redesignated the 207th Independent Infantry Brigade.

• 208th Independent Home Infantry Brigade^[4]
  • 7th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment (left 13 October 1941)
  • 10th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers (left 10 October 1941)
  • 13th Battalion, The King's Regiment (left 13 October 1941)
  • 22nd Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (left 22 July 1941)

The brigade headquarters was disbanded shortly after the division.

• 223rd Independent Home Infantry Brigade^[5]
  • 6th Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment
  • 8th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment
  • 10th Battalion, The Essex Regiment

The brigade left the division on 22 July 1941, joining XI Corps.

See also

• List of British divisions in World War II

Bibliography

• Book: Cole. Howard. Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire. 1973. Arms and Armour Press. London.
• Book: Joslen, Lt-Col H.F. . 1990 . 1st. Pub. HMSO:1960 . Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945 . London Stamp Exchange . London . 0-948130-03-2.

Notes and References

1. Joslen p. 111
2. Joslen, p. 108
3. Joslen p. 370
4. Joslen p. 371
5. Joslen p. 386