[1][2] There were a large number of these units in and around London,[3][4] and the opportunity was taken to group them together for Easter training under the temporary command of officers of the Brigade of Guards stationed in the capital.

[5][6] The Stanhope Memorandum of December 1888 proposed a formal Mobilisation Scheme for Volunteer units throughout the country, which would assemble by brigades at key points in case of war.

[18][19][20][21] Several of the London battalions were politically well-connected[1] and were selected for overseas service ahead of the bulk of the Territorial Force.

Thus the London Scottish, Queen's Westminsters and Kensingtons went to the Western Front as individual battalions attached to the British Expeditionary Force, the London Scottish being the first TF infantry battalion to see action, at Messines on 31 October 1914.

In October 1914, 2nd London Division was selected for service on the Western Front and progressive training was carried out through the winter.

[13][14][29] 140 Bde was reformed with brigade HQ at the Regimental Headquarters of the Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks in Birdcage Walk.

Initially the brigade was composed of its original prewar battalions, but in 1921 the Civil Service Rifles merged with the Queen's Westminsters, and the brigade was brought up to strength by the addition of the Artists' Rifles:[30] In 1935, a growing number of TA infantry battalions had been converted to the searchlight or anti-aircraft artillery role, and at the end of the year 47th Division was disbanded and converted into 1st Anti-Aircraft Division.