4th Guards Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 4th Guards Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army. It was formed by battalions withdrawn from the Guards Division and served with the 31st Division on the Western Front during the First World War. It ended the war as General Headquarters Troops, before being broken up in the Guards Division on 17 November 1918.

For a similarly designated, but distinct, formation, see 4th (Guards) Brigade.

4th Guards Brigade
Active8 February – 17 November 1918
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of31st Division
EngagementsWorld War I
Battle of the Lys
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Harold Alexander

History

Formation

In February 1918, British[lower-alpha 1] divisions on the Western Front were reduced from a 12-battalion to a 9-battalion basis (brigades from four to three battalions).[1] The 4th Guards Brigade was formed on 8 February 1918 by taking a battalion from each of the brigades of the Guards Division: the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards from the 1st Guards Brigade, the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards from the 2nd Guards Brigade and the 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards from the 3rd Guards Brigade. It joined the 31st Division at noon on the same day.[2]

War service

The brigade replaced the 94th Brigade in 31st Division, temporarily taking over the 94th Machine Gun Company and the 94th Trench Mortar Battery of that brigade.[2] The 94th Machine Gun Company joined 31st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (as C Company) on 3 March. The 4th Guards Trench Mortar Battery was formed on 19 March, took over the Stokes mortars and 94th Trench Mortar Battery then disappeared.[3]

The brigade remained with the division until 20 May[3] and in that time saw considerable action in the Battle of the Lys in April, particularly the Battle of Estaires, Battle of Hazebrouck and the Defence of Nieppe Forest.[4] It was then withdrawn to GHQ Reserve of the British Expeditionary Force.[3]

Post-war

At the Armistice, the brigade was still part of GHQ Reserve[5] but serving as Corps Troops with the Cavalry Corps.[6] On 17 November, the brigade rejoined the Guards Division at Maubeuge. The battalions rejoined their original brigades and the 4th Guards Brigade Headquarters and Trench Mortar Battery were disbanded.[7]

Order of battle

The following units served in the brigade:[2][3]

Commanders

The brigade had the following commanders:[8]

FromNameNotes
8 February 1918Brigadier-General Lord Ardeegassed, 27 March 1918
27 March 1918Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. H.R.L.G. Alexanderacting
4 April 1918Brigadier-General Hon. L.J.P. Butlergassed, 24 April 1918
24 April 1918Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. H.R.L.G. Alexanderacting
27 April 1918Lieutenant-Colonel R.B.J. Crawfurdacting
7 May 1918Brigadier-General Hon. L.J.P. Butler

See also

Notes
  1. As distinct from the Australian, Canadian and the New Zealand divisions which remained on a 12-battalion basis.

References
  1. Becke 1935, p. 28
  2. Becke 1935, p. 29
  3. Becke 1945, p. 16
  4. Becke 1945, p. 19
  5. James 1978, p. 41
  6. BEF GHQ 1918, p. 29
  7. Becke 1935, p. 27
  8. Becke 1945, p. 12

Bibliography
  • Becke, Major A.F. (1935). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 1. The Regular British Divisions. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 1-871167-09-4.
  • Becke, Major A.F. (1945). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 3B. New Army Divisions (30–41) & 63rd (RN) Division. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 1-871167-08-6.
  • James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books Limited. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.
  • Order of Battle of the British Armies in France, November 11th, 1918. France: General Staff, GHQ. 1918.
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