| United Kingdom Land Forces | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 April 1972 – 1 April 1995 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Headquarters | Erskine Barracks, Wilton |
United Kingdom Land Forces was a command of the British Army responsible for generating and preparing forces for current and contingency operations. The commander of the forces was known as Commander-in-Chief, United Kingdom Land Forces, who in turn reported to the Chief of the General Staff.
On 1 April 1972, HQ Army Strategic Command amalgamated with the three existing geographical commands (Northern Command, Southern Command and Western Command) to form HQ UK Land Forces.[1] It had eight districts plus HQ Scotland and HQ Northern Ireland under its direction:
North West District headquarters shifted to Fulwood Barracks, Preston, in 1977. In the early 1980s West Midlands District became HQ Western District.[3]
In 1995, HQ UK Land Forces at Wilton assumed control of troops in Germany and most other places. The remaining British Army troops in Germany (including the core of Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps, HQ ARRC) were placed under its command after the disbandment of Headquarters British Army of the Rhine. It became HQ Land Command, and assumed control of almost all British Army combat and combat support units on 1 April 1995.[4] When it was formed it included 69,200 regular troops (6,400 officers and 62,800 other ranks), 59,700 reservists and 14,200 civil servants.[5]
Holders of the post have been:[6]
