49th Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 49th Brigade was a formation of the British Army that served in both World War I and World War II.

World War I:

During World War I, the 49th Brigade was part of the 16th (Irish) Division. It comprised primarily of Irish volunteer battalions. Units that served in the brigade included battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, the Royal Munster Fusiliers and the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The brigade saw significant action on the Western Front, participating in battles such as the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Messines. After heavy losses and reorganizations, the composition of the brigade changed over time, eventually including battalions from other regiments.

World War II:

In World War II, the 49th Brigade was initially part of the 16th Infantry Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division, which deployed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). It participated in the fighting during the Battle of France in 1940, before being evacuated from Dunkirk. The brigade was later redesignated as the 49th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) and tasked with coastal defence duties in the United Kingdom. The composition of the brigade varied but usually included battalions from various infantry regiments. The 'Home' designation denoted its primarily defensive role within the UK. Following the war, the brigade was disbanded.

Post War

While the 49th Brigade as a specific entity was disbanded, the numerical designation "49" has been associated with other British Army formations throughout the post-war period in various roles, often linked to training or regional commands. Further research would be needed to detail these post-war incarnations.