The district was formed from 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division as part of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve in 1967.

[1] It had its headquarters at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, and was placed under the command of HQ United Kingdom Land Forces in 1972.

[2] In 1984-85 the district controlled a number of individual units, including 94th Locating Regiment, Royal Artillery at Roberts Barracks, Larkhill; the Support Regiment RA; Headquarters 7 Regiment Army Air Corps; the UK contingent of the ACE Mobile Force; 1st Infantry Brigade at Tidworth; 43 Wessex Brigade in Exeter; and five planned companies of the Home Service Force.

[3] In 1992, Headquarters South West District controlled three of the Army's 20 training areas on Salisbury Plain.

[4] The district was disbanded on the formation of HQ Land Command in 1995.