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A Brigade is a collection of different
Regiments and supporting units that have been grouped together for
a specific purpose. A fighting Brigade will traditionally contain
Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery Regiments, together with many supporting
cap badges. The composition of each Brigade will differ depending
on its responsibility, but could often contain 5,000 soldiers. A Division
would traditionally be made up of three or four Brigades, depending
on the specific role it is to undertake.
The 4th Division has military responsibility
for South East England, including Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire
and its Headquarters is in Aldershot. It was previously based in Germany
until 1992 as an armoured division. The division now has three brigades
under command, 2 Brigade based in Shorncliffe, 24 Brigade in Colchester
and 145 Brigade in Aldershot. The divisional symbol is the Tiger.
The 5th Division has responsibility
for military units and establishments in Wales, the West Midlands
and the North West of England and its Headquarters is in Shrewsbury.
The Division emblem, inherited from Wales and Western District, depicts
the Welsh Dragon, the cross of St Chad (7th Century Bishop of Mercia),
and the Red Rose of Lancaster. The Fifth Division fought at Waterloo
and played a significant part in the endeavours of the BEF in both
World Wars.
