At the start of World War II, the brigade was based in the United Kingdom, initially as part of the 1st Armoured Division and then as part of the newly formed 2nd Armoured Division.

In November 1940, it was shipped to Egypt, arriving on 1 January 1941.

[1] In March 1941, the brigade was dispatched to Greece as part of General Maitland Wilson's unsuccessful attempt at stopping the German invasion.

The 1st Armoured Brigade served in the Western Desert Campaign with the 7th Armoured Division at the Battle of El Alamein.

The brigade was used for tank delivery from August to October 1942 before being disbanded on 21 November 1942.