The 56th Brigade was raised soon after the outbreak of the First World War in September 1914 from men, mainly from Lancashire and Northern England, volunteering for Kitchener's New Armies.

On 20 August the brigade was permanently attached to the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, then commanded by Major General Evelyn Barker, a decorated veteran of the Great War.

It was prominent in the drive towards Le Havre and the 49th was one of the assault divisions taking the city in Operation Astonia in September 1944.

The Brigade Headquarters, commanded first by Brigadier DH B-H Blundell, was made responsible for administration and training of all London District units.

Antony Beevor's book Inside the British Army gave the formation date of the brigade as January 1987.