Service in Lancashire, 1 April 1942. The 30th Armoured Brigade was created on 27 December 1940 as part of
Northern Command. However in common with other 79th Division units they rarely found themselves operating together. On D-Day itself, 'A' Squadron of the 22nd Dragoons, and two troops of 'C' Squadron, landed on
Sword Beach with the first wave, while the 22nd's 'B' Squadron landed on
Juno Beach, with the remainder of 'C' Squadron, landing there later in the day. The
Westminster Dragoons 'B' and 'C' Squadrons landed alongside the
50th Infantry Division on 'Jig' and 'King' sectors of
Gold Beach in the first wave, with 'A' Squadron landing later in the day on 'Queen' sector of
Sword Beach. The 1st Lothian and Border Yeomanry did not arrive in France until 12 July, but soon found itself
in action around Caen. from beside his
Humber scout car outside
Beuville, 8 July 1944. 30th Brigade continued in action for the rest of the war, taking part in several operations, including the
assault on Le Havre in September 1944, the
invasion of Walcheren ("Operation Infatuate II") in November 1944, and the
crossing of the Rhine in March 1945. It also had various additional units attached to it temporarily. The
141st Regiment Royal Armoured Corps was part of the brigade from July to September 1944, and the
11th Royal Tank Regiment was added from December 1944 to January 1945. 11th RTR returned with
4th Royal Tank Regiment at the end of March 1945 until the end of April. Finally, the 22nd Dragoons, the 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry and the Westminster Dragoons were all transferred from the brigade on 31 August 1945, bringing its existence to an end.
Order of battle Commanders == Post-war in Territorial Army==