The 25th Brigade was formed in October 1914 just after the outbreak of the First World War with battalions withdrawn from overseas garrisons.

After being evacuated at Dunkirk, it remained in the United Kingdom with the 47th (London) Infantry Division until it was disbanded at the end of August 1944.

The 25th Brigade came into existence on 5 October 1914 (first commanding officer appointed[1]) as part of the 8th Division shortly after the outbreak of the First World War.

It was formed with four regular infantry battalions brought back to the United Kingdom from various overseas garrisons:[2] 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment from Bermuda,[3] 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment from Jhansi, India,[4] 1st Royal Irish Rifles from Aden,[5] and 2nd Rifle Brigade from Kuldana, Murree, India.

[2] The brigade saw action at the battles of Neuve-Chapelle (Moated Grange Attack, 18 December 1914), Neuve Chapelle again (10–13 March 1915), Aubers Ridge (9 May 1915), when the brigade commander, Brigadier-General Lowry Cole was killed,[1] and Bois-Grenier (25 September 1915), a diversionary attack for the Battle of Loos.

[14] Initially under War Office Control, on 18 November it moved to France where it joined the Lines of Communication Troops of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).