138th (Lincoln and Leicester) Brigade

The 138th (Lincoln and Leicester) Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army. The brigade was first raised as the Lincoln and Leicester Brigade in 1908 when the Territorial Force was created. The brigade was assigned to the North Midland Division, later the 46th (North Midland) Division. The brigade saw active service in the Great War of 1914–1918 and was numbered the 138th (Lincoln and Leicester) Brigade in 1915. The brigade saw service with the 46th Division on the Western Front in France and Belgium for the rest of the war.

Disbanded after the war in 1919 the brigade was reformed in the new Territorial Army in the 1920s, as the 138th Infantry Brigade, still with 46th (North Midland) Division. However, in 1936, the division was disbanded and its Headquarters renamed the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Division. The 5th Lincolns and the 4th Leicesters were both transferred to the Royal Engineers and converted to other roles. The 4th Lincolns and the 5th Leicesters were both transferred to the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division and the 138th Infantry Brigade disbanded.

A new 138th Infantry Brigade was formed when the Territorial Army was doubled in size in 1939. It was assigned to the 46th (West Riding and North Midland) Infantry Division.

First World War formation

• 1/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
• 1/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
• 1/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment
• 1/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment

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Second World War formation

• 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
• 2/4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
• 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment

References