On the outbreak of World War I, the Territorial Force (TF) immediately mobilised for home defence, but shortly afterwards (31 August 1914), its 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, while the 1st Line went overseas to supplement the Regulars.

[16] In April 1916 2/1st East Anglian (Essex) Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery joined the brigade and remained with it until the end of the war.

Part of their role was physical conditioning to render men fit for drafting overseas.

[19] The 225th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) was formed for service in the United Kingdom on 14 November 1940, during the Second World War.

Pendlebury and initially consisted of newly raised infantry battalions from North-West England.