44th Parachute Brigade (Volunteer)

44th Parachute Brigade (Volunteers) was formed on 1 April 1967 from 44th Independent Parachute Brigade Group (TA).

Brigade HQ and Defence Platoon, along with 44 Parachute Brigade Signal Troop, Royal Signals (V). and 144 Parachute Field Ambulance HQ were based at Chelsea.

It comprised the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (based at Pudsey, Liverpool, Oldham, Gateshead and Norton) and 10th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (based at the time in White City, London, Finchley, Croydon and Aldershot), supplemented by 15th (Scottish Volunteer - SV) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (based at Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh and the 16th (Volunteer) Independent Company, The Parachute Regiment, of Lincoln

The brigade was bolstered by the following attached arms:

When the 44th Parachute Brigade (V) was disbanded on 31 March 1978, only the three TA Parachute Battalions and 144 Field Ambulance retained their parachute role. 289 Parachute Battery RHA and 131 Parachute Squadron RE were converted to Commando units (289 Para Battery RHA changing to 289 Commando Battery RA (V) and 131 Para Squadron RE (V) changing to 131 Independent Commando Squadron RE (V)). Other units either converted or were disbanded.

Compiled with assistance from Richard Cole