During the first two years of World War II, South Africa raised a variety of military units.

[2] The brigade drafted men of 'B' and 'C' Medical Categories primarily for guard duties at aerodromes.

[1] Ex-servicemen and others above the age of 35 but under 60 were accepted, and the brigade was run on a normal Active Citizen Force basis or fulI-time, as authorised.

Detachments of the 1st Special Service Reserve Battalion were absorbed as full-time companies or platoons.

[2] By 1942, after 2,800 men out of a total of 6,061 had been reclassified and transferred to other units, the brigade organisation was dissolved.