2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade

The 2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Royal Navy. It was assigned to the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and served on the Western Front during the First World War.

2nd Naval Brigade 2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade
Formation badge of the Royal Naval Division
Active	20 August 1914 – July 1915 2 August 1915 – 19 July 1916
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Type	Infantry
Size	Brigade of 1,500 men
Part of	Royal Naval Division
Brigade HQ	Portsmouth Naval Base, Portsmouth
Engagements	First World War Siege of Antwerp Race to the Sea Gallipoli Campaign
Insignia
Metal divisional badge

The brigade was first raised in August 1914. By April 1915 it was known as 2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade. In July 1915, the Brigade was broken up, then reformed on 2 August 1915 and re-designated 2nd Brigade. It was further re-designated the 2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade and the 189th Brigade in July 1916.

Formation

The infantry battalions did not all serve at once, but all were assigned to the brigade during the war.

• 5th (Nelson) Battalion
• 6th (Howe) Battalion
• 7th (Hood) Battalion
• 8th (Anson) Battalion
• Chatham & Deal Battalion
• Portsmouth & Plymouth Battalion
• 2/2nd Battalion, London Regiment
• 2nd (Hawke) Battalion
• 4th (Collingwood) Battalion
• 1st (Drake) Battalion
• 189th Machine Gun Company
• 189th Trench Mortar Battery

Commanders

• 1 September – 27 October 1914 Commodore Oliver Backhouse
• 27 October 1914 – 20 September 1915 Brigadier-General Charles Trotman
• 20 September – 1 October 1915 Lieutenant-Colonel E. J. Stroud acting
• 1 October – 13 November 1915 Brigadier-General Charles Trotman
• 19 November 1915 – 26 January 1916 Lieutenant-Colonel E. J. Stroud acting
• 26 January – 21 May 1916 Brigadier-General Charles Trotman
• 21 May – 27 May 1916 Lieutenant-Colonel L. Wilson acting
• 27 May 1916 Brigadier-General L. F. Philips