Lothian Brigade
| 221st Mixed Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1914–1919 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 British Army
|
| Type | Infantry Brigade |
| Role | Home Defence |
| Part of | Scottish Coast Defences Southern Army Eastern Command |
221st Mixed Brigade was a Scottish Home Service formation of the British Army that served under various titles throughout World War I.
On the outbreak of war on 4 August 1914, the Lothian Brigade of the Territorial Force (TF) mobilised at Edinburgh under Brigadier-General H.F. Kays as part of Scottish Coastal Defences, with the following units under command:
attached:
Almost immediately (31 August 1914), TF units were authorised to raise 2nd battalions formed from those men who had not volunteered for, or were not fit for, overseas service, together with new volunteers. A 2nd Lothian Brigade was formed from these units, but the two brigades merged again as the 1st Line battalions progressively went overseas in late 1914 and early 1915 to reinforce Regular Army formations or join the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division (TF).
Other units were also posted to the Lothian Brigade for short periods in early 1915, including Special Reserve (former Militia) battalions:
locally raised 'Pals' Battalions':
and others such as:
(not including TF battalions of the Royal Scots that were administratively attached while temporarily stationed at Edinburgh).
Early in 1915 the 2nd Line TF battalions were raised to full strength to form 2nd Line divisions such as the 65th (2nd Lowland) Division, and began to form Reserve (3rd Line) units. Once again the remaining Home Service men were separated out in May 1915 to form Coast Defence Battalions (termed Provisional Battalions from June 1915). The Special Reserve battalions of the Lothian Brigade were split off into a separate Special Reserve Brigade (6 June 1915) and the Lothian Brigade was first retitled Scottish Provisional Brigade (1 July 1915) and then 1st Provisional Brigade.
The composition of 1st Provisional Brigade was then as follows:
In April 1916, 1st Provisional Brigade moved by train from Edinburgh, first to the Bishops Stortford area, the on 25 April to the East Kent coast on 25 April. Brigadier-General A.G. Duff took over from Brig.-Gen. Kay, and the brigade came under the orders of 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division in Southern Army. The brigade was now billeted as follows:
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