The 28th Brigade was part of 9th (Scottish) Division during the early stages of the First World War, from civilians volunteering for Lord Kitchener's New Armies.

The brigade was, however, briefly reformed in September 1918, during the Hundred Days Offensive in the final stages of the war.

The brigade was initially composed entirely of Regular Army battalions, the 2nd King's and 2nd Somersets had been in Gibraltar many years before the war.

Its main elements were three infantry battalions from Australia, Britain and New Zealand and a British field artillery regiment with an Australian battery.

The Brigade's operational role was as the 'Immediate Reaction Force' for the South East Asia Treaty Organisation.