South West District (British Army)

South West District was a district command of the British Army between 1967 and 1995.

History

The district was formed from 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division as part of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve in 1967. It had its headquarters at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, and was placed under the command of HQ United Kingdom Land Forces in 1972.

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.Isby and Kamps, Armies of NATO's Central Front, 1985, 254-55.

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

The district was disbanded on the formation of HQ Land Command in 1995."Land Command Shapes Up", Jane's Defence Weekly, 15 July 1995.

Commanders General officers commanding included: 1967–1970 Major-General Thomas Acton 1970–1971 Major-General John Douglas-Withers 1972–1974 Major-General Hugh Cunningham 1974–1975 Major-General George Cooper 1975–1978 Major-General Robert Lyon 1978–1981 Major-General Sir John Acland 1981–1984 Major-General Michael Gray 1984–1987 Major-General Barry Lane 1987–1990 Major-General Anthony Jeapes 1990–1992 Major-General Anthony Pollard

See also

Headquarters South West (United Kingdom)

References