107 (Ulster) Brigade (TA) formed

Event
Wed, 01/01/1947 - Fri, 03/31/1967

The Territorial Army (TA), throughout the United Kingdom, was reconstituted in 1947 and, for the first time, there was a full scale All Arms TA organisation in Northern Ireland. The War Office gave authority for the formation of 107 (Ulster) Independent Infantry Brigade (TA) with effect from 1 January 1947. Also at this time, TA battalions of the three Regular infantry regiments of Northern Ireland were being formed. In 1957, the Brigade Commander became the Affiliated Formation Commander for the Army Cadet Force (ACF) in Northern Ireland and by 1960, the affiliation between Brigade units and the ACF was working well and there was a steady flow of ACF cadets into the TA as well as the Regular Army.

Our antecedent regiments formed the following as battalions (Territorial Army) in the Brigade:

  • 5th Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
  • 6th Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles
  • 5th Battalion The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Bictoria’s)

By July 1965, the War Office had decided that a reorganisation of the TA into Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve would entail the disbandment of 107 Brigade on 31 March 1967.

Six of the eight Brigade Commanders were late Irish regimental officers and appointed as follows:

  • Brigadier Nelson Russell CB DSO (late Royal Irish Fusiliers) - 1 Jan 47
  • Brigadier T P D Scott CBE DSO (late Royal Irish Fusiliers) - 7 Jul 50
  • Brigadier A G Mackenzie-Kennedy CBE DSO (late Royal Scots) - 20 Aug 52
  • Brigadier J Drummond DSO - 20 Aug 55 (late Royal Ulster Rifles)
  • Brigadier G Wort CBE (late Wiltshire Regiment) - 30 Aug 58
  • Brigadier H L S Young DSO (late Irish Guards) - 30 Aug 61
  • Brigadier R C P Jefferies MBE (late Royal Irish Fusiliers) - 12 Nov 62
  • Brigadier A J Dyball MC TD (late Royal Ulster Rifles) - 2 Dec 65 to 31 Mar 67