4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East, previously known as 4th Mechanized Brigade and before that 4th Armoured Brigade is a
brigade formation of the
British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gur ...
, currently based in
Catterick, North Yorkshire as part of
1st (United Kingdom) Division
The 1st (United Kingdom) Division, formerly known as the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division and the 1st Division, is a division of the British Army.
Divisional history (1809–1959)
The 1st Division was formed following the disbandment o ...
. The brigade, now known as the 'Black Rats', was formed in 1939 and fought in the
Second World War in the
Western Desert Campaign in
North Africa. The Black Rats were subsequently involved in the
invasion of Sicily and
fighting in Italy before taking part in the
Battle of Normandy
Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy, the Allied operation that launched the successful invasion of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 (D-Day) with the Nor ...
and the advance through
Belgium, Holland and into Germany.
More recently, the Brigade took part in the
First Gulf War and completed a number of tours to the Balkans during the 1990s. The Black Rats have also since deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan as the lead formation.
History
Second World War
In September 1939, at the start of the
Second World War this brigade changed its title from Heavy Armoured Brigade (Egypt) to 4th Armoured Brigade.
[Brief History Of The British 4th Armoured Brigade]
On 27 July 1941, it handed over its units to the
1st Army Tank Brigade and received new units based in
Egypt. It was reformed again when the HQ arrived in
Sicily and it took control of new units there. The 4th Armoured Brigade saw service in the
North African Campaign, the
Allied invasion of Sicily
The Allied invasion of Sicily, also known as Operation Husky, was a major campaign of World War II in which the Allied forces invaded the island of Sicily in July 1943 and took it from the Axis powers ( Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany). It beg ...
, the
Italian Campaign and in
North-western Europe
Northwestern Europe, or Northwest Europe, is a loosely defined subregion of Europe, overlapping Northern and Western Europe. The region can be defined both geographically and ethnographically.
Geographic definitions
Geographically, Northw ...
. Although it served under many different formations it was most famous as part of the
7th Armoured Division, the "Desert Rats".
[
The 4th Armoured Brigade left the 7th Armoured Division in North Africa in 1943, to return to join the Allied invasion force for Normandy. In June 1944, the brigade landed in Normandy as an independent brigade and fought during the ]Battle of Normandy
Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy, the Allied operation that launched the successful invasion of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 (D-Day) with the Nor ...
during the Battle for Caen
The Battle for Caen (June to August 1944) is the name given to fighting between the British Second Army and the German in the Second World War for control of the city of Caen and its vicinity during the larger Battle of Normandy. The battles ...
.
The 4th Armoured Brigade was the first to cross the Rhine into Germany.[
The brigade was disestablished in 1948.][
Former BBC motorsports commentator ]Murray Walker
Graeme Murray Walker (10 October 1923 – 13 March 2021) was an English motorsport commentator and journalist. He provided television commentary of live Formula One coverage for the BBC between 1976 and 1996, and for ITV between 1997 and 20 ...
served with 4th Armoured Brigade during the Second World War as a member of The Royal Scots Greys. After the war he started a motorcycle club, organising trials and scrambles for the soldiers within the Brigade.
Cold War era
The Brigade spent many years in Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine
There have been two formations named British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). Both were originally occupation forces in Germany, one after the First World War
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of w ...
. The brigade was one of two "square" brigades assigned to 2nd Armoured Division when it was formed in 1976. After being briefly converted to "Task Force Charlie" in the late 1970s, the brigade was reinstated in 1981, assigned to 3rd Armoured Division and was based at York Barracks in Münster. The Brigade deployed to the First Gulf War on Operation Granby in 1990/91 and was involved in the liberation of Kuwait. It moved to Quebec Barracks at Osnabrück in 1993 to replace 12th Armoured Brigade as part of 1st (UK) Armoured Division
The 1st (United Kingdom) Division, formerly known as the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division and the 1st Division, is a division of the British Army.
Divisional history (1809–1959)
The 1st Division was formed following the disbandment of ...
.
Post-Cold War
4th Armoured Brigade deployed to Bosnia in October 1995 as UNPROFOR HQ Sector South-West and subsequently as the leading UK element of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR). The Black Rats have since deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, first on Operation Herrick 12 in 2010; and again in October 2012 for Operation Herrick 17, during which it was working in support of the Afghan Army's 3/215 Brigade and elements of the Afghan National Police.
Structure circa 2020
4th Infantry Brigade
Under Army 2020
Army 2020, was the name given to the restructuring of the British Army, in light of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Background
The British Government gave an indication of its proposals for the future structure of the Army in ea ...
, the brigade lost its armour and converted to an infantry brigade. The structure of the brigade in 2020 was as follows:
* 4th Infantry Brigade, at Peronne Lines, Catterick Garrison
Catterick Garrison is a major garrison and military town south of Richmond, North Yorkshire, England. It is the largest British Army garrison in the world, with a population of around 13,000 in 2017 and covering over 2,400 acres (about 10 ...
** The Light Dragoons
The Light Dragoons (LD) is a cavalry regiment in the British Army. The regiment has a light cavalry role and specialises in mounted and dismounted reconnaissance. The Light Dragoons recruit mainly in Northern England, from the counties of North ...
, at Gaza Barracks, Catterick Garrison (Light Cavalry, 66x Jackal armoured reconnaissance vehicles)
** The Queen's Own Yeomanry (Army Reserve), at Fenham Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne (Received Pronunciation, RP: , ), or simply Newcastle, is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. The city is located on the River Tyne's northern bank and forms the la ...
(Light Cavalry, 66x Jackal armoured reconnaissance vehicles)
** The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Royal Regiment of Scotland is the senior and only Scottish line infantry regiment of the British Army Infantry. It consists of three regular (formerly five) and two reserve battalions, plus an incremental company, each formerly an ind ...
, at Glencorse Barracks
Glencorse Barracks is a British Army barracks situated in Glencorse just outside the town of Penicuik in Midlothian, Scotland. It is one of the three barracks which make up the City of Edinburgh Garrison, with Dreghorn and Redford Barracks. It ...
, Penicuik
Penicuik ( ; sco, Penicuik; gd, Peighinn na Cuthaig) is a town and former burgh in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the west bank of the River North Esk. It lies on the A701 midway between Edinburgh and Peebles, east of the Pentland Hills.
N ...
(Light Infantry)
** 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, at Dale Barracks, Chester
Chester is a cathedral city and the county town of Cheshire, England. It is located on the River Dee, close to the English–Welsh border. With a population of 79,645 in 2011,"2011 Census results: People and Population Profile: Chester Loca ...
(Light Infantry)
** 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment
The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire, Worcesters and Foresters, and Staffords) is an infantry regiment of the British Army, which is recruited from five of the counties that formed the ancient kingdom of Mercia. Known as 'The Heart of England's Infa ...
, at Weeton Barracks, Blackpool
Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre rivers, and is ...
(Light Infantry) – arriving back from Cyprus in November 2020
** 52nd Lowland Volunteers, 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (Army Reserve), at Walcheren Barracks
Walcheren Barracks is a drill hall located at Hotspur Street in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland. It is located adjacent to the site of the former Maryhill Barracks.
History
The current building was originally constructed in 1935 as the new headquar ...
, Glasgow (Light Infantry) – paired with 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS)
** 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (Army Reserve), at Kimberley Barracks
Kimberley Barracks is a military installation on Deepdale Road in Preston in Lancashire, England PR1 6PR.
Naming
The name of the barracks is based on the battle honour won by the Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) when it was besieged by Boer ...
, Preston
Preston is a place name, surname and given name that may refer to:
Places
England
*Preston, Lancashire, an urban settlement
**The City of Preston, Lancashire, a borough and non-metropolitan district which contains the settlement
**County Boro ...
(Light Infantry) – paired with 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (1 LANCS)
** 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Army Reserve), at Worsley Barracks, York (Light Infantry) – paired with 2 YORKS until November, then paired with 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (2 MERCIAN)
Headquarters North East
* Headquarters North East, at Peronne Lines, Catterick Garrison
Catterick Garrison is a major garrison and military town south of Richmond, North Yorkshire, England. It is the largest British Army garrison in the world, with a population of around 13,000 in 2017 and covering over 2,400 acres (about 10 ...
** Yorkshire Officer Training Regiment (Army Reserve)
*** Leeds University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve), at Carlton Barracks, Leeds
*** Sheffield University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve), at Somme Barracks, Sheffield
** Northumbrian University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve), in Newcastle upon Tyne
** 4th Infantry Brigade & Headquarters North East Cadet Training Team, at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall
** Cleveland Army Cadet Force, in Middlesbrough
** Durham Army Cadet Force, in Chester-le-Street
Chester-le-Street (), also known as Chester, is a market town and civil parish in County Durham, England, around north of Durham and also close to Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne. It is located on the River Wear, which runs out to sea at Su ...
** Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, at Driffield Camp, Driffield
Driffield, also known as Great Driffield, is a market town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The civil parish is formed by the town of Driffield and the village of Little Driffield. By road, it is north-east of Leed ...
** Northumbria Army Cadet Force, at Fox Barracks, Cramlington
Cramlington is a town and civil parish in Northumberland, England,
6 miles (9 kilometres) north of Newcastle upon Tyne, and 10 miles (16 kilometres) north of its city centre. The name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or Anglo-Saxons. ...
** Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force, at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall
Strensall is a village in the Strensall with Towthorpe civil parish in the unitary authority of the City of York in North Yorkshire, England, on the River Foss north of York and north-east of Haxby. From the 2011 Census, the civil parish of S ...
Second World War commanders
During the Second World War:
* January 1940 to April 1941 Brigadier J.A.L. Caunter
* April 1941 to April 1942 Brigadier A.H. Gatehouse
* April 1942 to July 1942 Brigadier G.W. Richards
* July 1942 to September 1942 Brigadier W.G. Carr
* September 1942 to November 1942 Brigadier M.G. Roddick
* November 1942 to January 1943 Brigadier C.B.C. Harvey
* January 1943 to February 1943 Brigadier D.S. Newton-King
* February 1943 to December 1943 Brigadier J.C. Currie
* December 1943 to March 1944 Brigadier H. J. B. Cracroft
* March 1944 to June 1944 Brigadier J. C. Currie
* June 1944 to August 1945 Brigadier R.M.P. Carver
Brigade commanders
Recent commanders have included:
* 1976–1978 Brigadier Desmond Langley
Major General Sir Henry Desmond Allen Langley, (16 May 1930 – 14 February 2008) was a senior British Army officer who served as Major-General commanding the Household Division and General Officer Commanding London District from 1979 to 1983. ...
* 1981–1984 Brigadier Charles Guthrie
* 1994–1996 Brigadier Richard Dannatt
General Francis Richard Dannatt, Baron Dannatt, (born 23 December 1950) is a retired senior British Army officer and member of the House of Lords. He was Chief of the General Staff (head of the Army) from 2006 to 2009.
Dannatt was commissioned ...
* 1996–1998 Brigadier David Richards
* 1998–2000 Brigadier Bill Rollo
Lieutenant General Sir William Raoul Rollo, (born August 1955) is a former senior British Army officer.
Military career
Rollo was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve on 10 March 1977 ...
* 2000-2002 Brigadier Nicholas Smith
* 2002–2004 Brigadier Paul Gibson
* 2005–2007 Brigadier Chris Deverell
* 2007–2009 Brigadier Julian Free
* 2009–2011 Brigadier Richard Felton
Lieutenant General Richard Friedrich Patrick Felton, is a former British Army officer who served as Director-General of the Defence Safety Authority from 2017 to 2019.
Military career
Felton was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Transport o ...
* 2011–2013 Brigadier Bob Bruce
Robert James Bruce (May 16, 1933 – March 14, 2017) was an American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in 219 games in Major League Baseball from to for the Detroit Tigers, Houston Colt .45s / Astros, and Atl ...
* 2013–2015 Brigadier Charlie HerbertNew man takes over the Black Rats
Northern Echo, 12 June 2013
* 2015–2016 Brigadier Gerald Strickland
Gerald Paul Joseph Cajetan Carmel Antony Martin Strickland, 6th Count della Catena, 1st Baron Strickland, (24 May 1861 – 22 August 1940) was a Maltese and British politician and peer, who served as Prime Minister of Malta, Governor of the L ...
* 2016–2019 Brigadier Oliver Stokes
* 2019–present Brigadier Oliver Brown
See also
* 4th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
The 4th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army that served in both First and Second World Wars. During both world wars, it was part of the 2nd Infantry Division.
History
As the Second Boer War ended in 1902 the army was r ...
* British Armoured formations of World War II
During the Second World War the British Army deployed armoured divisions and independent armoured and tank brigades.
Background
During the interwar period, the British Army examined the lessons learnt from the First World War; and a need was seen ...
* List of British brigades of the Second World War
This is a list of British Brigades in the Second World War. It is intended as a central place to access resources about formations of brigade size that served in the British Army during the Second World War.
* List of British airborne brigades ...
Notes
References
Further reading
* RMP Carter (1945). The History of the 4th Armoured Brigade. .
External links
4th Infantry Brigade
British Army Locations from 1945
{{British mobile brigades of the Second World War
4 Armoured
4 Mechanised
Military units and formations established in 1939
Organisations based in North Yorkshire
Military units and formations established in 1976