The 53rd Brigade was raised in 1914 during the Great War and was part of the 18th (Eastern) Division.

Both the brigade and division were part of Lord Kitchener's New Armies and fought on the Western Front from 1915 to 1918.

During the early years of the war, the brigade remained with the 18th Division in the United Kingdom, mainly on training duties and on home defence and anticipating a German invasion.

In late 1941, the brigade was sent, with the rest of the 18th Division, overseas, initially to the Middle East but later to Singapore after Japan entered the war in December.

The brigade landed first and fought in the short but bitter and violent Battle of Singapore where they were forced to surrender to the Imperial Japanese Army and became prisoners for the next three years, and received extremely harsh and degrading treatment.