South West District (British Army)
South West District was a district command of the British Army between 1967 and 1995.
South West District | |
---|---|
Active | 1967–1995 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Type | District Command |
Garrison/HQ | Bulford Camp |
History
The district was formed from 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division as part of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve in 1967.[1] It had its headquarters at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, and was placed under the command of HQ United Kingdom Land Forces in 1972.[2]
In 1984-85 the district controlled a number of individual units, including 94th Locating Regiment, Royal Artillery at Roberts Barracks, Larkhill; the Support Regiment RA; Headquarters 7 Regiment Army Air Corps; the UK contingent of the ACE Mobile Force; 1st Infantry Brigade at Tidworth; 43 Wessex Brigade in Exeter; and five planned companies of the Home Service Force.[3]
In 1992, Headquarters South West District controlled three of the Army's 20 training areas on Salisbury Plain.[4]
The district was disbanded on the formation of HQ Land Command in 1995.[5]
Commanders
General officers commanding included:[6]
- 1967–1970 Major-General Thomas Acton
- 1970–1971 Major-General John Douglas-Withers
- 1972–1974 Major-General Hugh Cunningham
- 1974–1975 Major-General George Cooper
- 1975–1978 Major-General Robert Lyon
- 1978–1981 Major-General Sir John Acland
- 1981–1984 Major-General Michael Gray
- 1984–1987 Major-General Barry Lane
- 1987–1990 Major-General Anthony Jeapes
- 1990–1992 Major-General Anthony Pollard
References
- Steinberg, S. (1967). The Statesman's Year-Book 1967-68: The Encyclopaedia for the Businessman-of-The-World. Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 106. ISBN 978-0230270961.
- Paxton, J. (1972). The Statesman's Year-Book 1972-73: The Encyclopaedia for the Businessman-of-The-World. Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-230-27101-2.
- Isby and Kamps, Armies of NATO's Central Front, 1985, 254-55.
- "Ministry of Defence: Management and Control of Army Training Land" (PDF). National Audit Office. 4 February 1992. p. 36. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- "Land Command Shapes Up", Jane's Defence Weekly, 15 July 1995.
- "Army Commands" (PDF). Retrieved 2 July 2016.