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The H.M.A.T. MARATHON arrived at Devenport on 7th. July 1916; Brigade Head Quarters immediately disembarking and moving by train from Plymouth to Amesbury Station, Salisbury Plains.
Bde. Hdqrs was established next day at No.2 Camp LARKHILL and Units of the Brigade were eventually concentrated in the following camps:-
33rd. Battalion, No 2 Camp.
34th. Battalion, No 1. Camp.
35th. Battalion. No. 3 Camp.
36th. Battalion. No. 4 Camp.
9th. A.M.G. Coy. No. 10 Camp.
24th. A.S.C. Coy. No. 9 Camp.
9th. Fld. Amb. No. Camp.
9th. Fld. Coy. Engrs. No. Camp.
DISEMBARKATION LEAVE
On arrival all ranks were given 4 days disembarkation Leave.
Communication between the various units was organised by the Bde. Post Office Staff, who were soon in telephonic communication with Divisional Headquarters and Battalions.
The Bde. Signal Section meanwhile training with the 3rd. Divn. Signal Company.
The various units of the Divn. were concentrating on Salisbury Plains and Brig. Gen. A.J. Jobson, (G.O.C. 9th. A.I. Bde.) took over the Command temporarily of the Division, until the arrival of Major. General John Monash.
FORMATION OF 9TH. A.L.T.M. BATTERY
On 21:7:16, 7 Off. & 100 Men were chosen by the G.O.C. 9th. A.I. Bde. from the Battalions of the Brigade, and placed under the Command of Lt. H.M. Brown and sent to Perham Downs L.T.M. School to train as a Light Trench Mortar Battery.
On return from the School these men returned to Battalions as Light Trench Mortar Sections.
Later the Sections were cut down by half, Brigaded and designated the 9th. A.L.T.M. Battery under command of Lt. N.R. Brown and equiped with 8 - 3" Stokes Mortars Complete.
SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION.
All Brigade and Battalion Transport personnel attended a course of instruction in Stable management etc. at 24th. Coy. A.S.C.
Officers N.C.O's and Technical Units attended schools of instructions in their various duties. Bombers at LYNDHURST, P.T.I. and Musketry at TIDWORTH BARRACKS and L.T. Mortars at PERHAM DOWNS, L.T.M. School.
MOBILISATION STORES
Before the end of July all units had their Mobilisation Stores completed by D.A.D.O.S. including Lewis Guns, Machine Guns, and 3" Stokes Mortars.
FIELD KITCHENS
Field Kitchens arrived from Australia and were issued to Battalions, having been donated by various districts; and although reported on unfavorably, by the Imperial Authorities, afterwards proved invaluable in France; standing all tests.
TRAINING
Musketry Training was in full swing by the end of the Month; the 34th. Battn. being the first unit to complete the course, followed by all the other units of the Brigade.
The Month of August was spent in intensive training, under Imperial Instructors, Physical training and Bayonet fighting instruction being passed on and readily acquired by the men.