The brigade was a 1st Line Territorial Army formation, consisting of three infantry battalions converted into armoured regiments.

During this time, the brigade formed part of the 42nd Armoured Division.

On 25 July 1942, the brigade was converted from an armoured role (equipped with cruiser tanks) into an infantry support role (equipped with infantry tanks).

During most of 1943, the brigade was attached to the 77th Infantry (Reserve) Division as a training formation.

The brigade was reinstated by converting "Task Force Golf" into an armoured brigade in 1981, assigned to 4th Armoured Division[3] and was based at Kingsley Barracks in Minden.