Essex County Division
The Essex County Division was a short-lived formation of the British Army formed in the Second World War on 18 February 1941 by the redesignation of the West Sussex County Division. It was disbanded on 7 October.[2] It had one commanding officer, Major-General J. H. T. Priestman. It was an infantry only formation consisting of three Independent Infantry Brigades (Home). Combat support, artillery, engineers etc., would be provided by other local formations.[3] It was under the command of XI Corps from formation to 22 July and then under GHQ Home Forces.
| Essex County Division | |
|---|---|
 Division insignia of the Essex County Division[1] | |
| Active | 18 February – 7 October 1941 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Static Division |
Order of Battle
- 207th Independent Home Infantry Brigade[4]
- 7th Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (left 26 August 1941)
- 9th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (left 27 August 1941)
- 10th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment (left 25 August 1941)
- 13th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (left 22 July 1941)
The brigade headquarters remained, without battalions, with the division until its disbanding, then it was redesignated the 207th Independent Infantry Brigade.
- 208th Independent Home Infantry Brigade[5]
- 7th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment (left 13 October 1941)
- 10th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers (left 10 October 1941)
- 13th Battalion, The King's Regiment (left 13 October 1941)
- 22nd Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (left 22 July 1941)
The brigade headquarters was disbanded shortly after the division.
- 223rd Independent Home Infantry Brigade[6]
- 6th Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment
- 8th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment
- 10th Battalion, The Essex Regiment
The brigade left the division on 22 July 1941, joining XI Corps.
References
- Cole p58
- Joslen p. 111
- Joslen, p. 108
- Joslen p. 370
- Joslen p. 371
- Joslen p. 386
Bibliography
- Cole, Howard (1973). Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire. London: Arms and Armour Press.
- Joslen, Lt-Col H.F. (1990) [1st. Pub. HMSO:1960]. Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945. London: London Stamp Exchange. ISBN 0-948130-03-2.