Headquarters South West (United Kingdom)

Prior to 2012, the 43rd (Wessex) Brigade had overseen all army units and was the Regional Point of Command (RPC) of the British Army in South West England. However, in 2014, under the Army 2020 programme, 43rd (Wessex) Brigade was absorbed into 1st Artillery Brigade, which had been based at the Airfield Camp, Netheravon since 2005.{{Cite web|date=1 August 2006|title=Post Exerciser Report, 1st Artillery Brigade|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/linked_files/atg/post_exercise_reports/mountaineering/20061002_Ex_GARDA_GALLOP_2006_ATG_A__U.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20061101010100/http://www.army.mod.uk/linked_files/atg/post_exercise_reports/mountaineering/20061002_Ex_GARDA_GALLOP_2006_ATG_A__U.pdf|archive-date=1 November 2006|access-date=23 June 2021|website=British Army}} 43rd Brigade therefore became an integral part of the newly redesignated 1st Artillery Brigade and Headquarters South West. Following this reorganisation, Headquarters South West was established under the command of the Chief of Staff (2nd in command) of 1st Artillery Brigade & HQ South West.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=HQ 1 Artillery Brigade and HQ South West|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/structure/28219.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214082132/https://www.army.mod.uk/structure/28219.aspx|archive-date=14 December 2014|access-date=|website=British Army}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=5 March 2013|title=Regular Army Basing Plan|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136406/regular_army_basing_plan.pdf|access-date=26 May 2020|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence}}{{Cite web|title=Regional Command|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/regional-command/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=Swain|first=Shirley|date=10 December 2014|title=43 (Wessex) Brigade Lowers Flag For Last Time|url=https://www.forces.net/services/army/43-wessex-brigade-lowers-flag-last-time|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Forces Network|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Regular Army basing Matrix by Formation and Unit|url=http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|archive-date=14 August 2016|access-date=24 June 2021|website=Army Families Foundation}}{{cite web|author=|date=25 May 2017|title=Army Update: Commander HQ South West Colonel James Coote DSO OBE|url=https://swlep.co.uk/docs/default-source/board-meetings/2017/25-may-2018/army-presentation-to-board-meeting-25-may-2017.pdf?sfvrsn=3fc214c5_4|access-date=22 August 2019|website=swlep.co.uk|publisher=Swindon & Wiltshire LEP}}

In 2014, the new command was stood up and established its headquarters at Jellalabad Barracks, Tidworth Camp alongside the new brigade's location. The new headquarters oversaw the region overseen by 43rd (W) Brigade prior to its redesignation, which included the following: City and County of Bristol, Channel Islands, Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. In addition to the counties which were overseen by the headquarters, some of the Army's largest garrisons form part of the region, including Blandford Garrison; Tidworth, Netheravon, and Bulford Garrison; Corsham Station; and Wyvern Station.{{Cite web|title=Colonel Neville Holmes MBE|url=https://swlep.co.uk/about/who-we-are/board-profiles/colonel-neville-holmes|access-date=8 May 2021|website=Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership}}{{Cite web|title=From Terror Attacks To Flooding: Major Honoured For Extensive Military Service|url=https://www.forces.net/military-life/terror-attacks-flooding-major-honoured-extensive-military-service|access-date=2021-11-14|website=Forces Network|date=4 December 2018 |language=en}}

Following a reorganisation of Force Troops Command in August 2019, the 1st Artillery Brigade dropped its regional responsibilities and joined 3rd (United Kingdom) Division. Thenceforth, Headquarters South West became an independent formation under control of Regional Command.{{Cite web|last=Army Secretariat|date=18 July 2019|title=FOI response: Army 2020 Refine changes since 2017|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/878632/20190717-FOI06365_Zacchi_Response_Letter-ArmySec.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=23 September 2020|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Allwood|first=Greg|title=Know Your Army – Weapons And Organisation|url=https://www.forces.net/services/army/know-your-army-weapons-and-organisation|access-date=2021-11-14|website=Forces Network|date=24 September 2021 |language=en}}

The commander who holds the title of 'Commander, Headquarters South West' is also designated as 'Director Ten Tors', which is an annual hike held in Dartmoor, Devonshire.{{Cite web|title=Ten Tors and Jubilee Challenge|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/events/2020/ten-tors-and-jubilee-challenge/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Young Challengers Keep Ten Tors Flame Blazing|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2021/06/ex-wyvern-tor/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}

On 16 October 2020, Headquarters South West was awarded the Firmin Sword of Peace by HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge following its support to the City of Salisbury after the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in March 2018.{{Cite web|title="Salisbury Is Safe" Following Decontamination, Says PM|url=https://www.forces.net/news/salisbury-safe-following-decontamination-says-pm|access-date=2021-11-14|website=Forces Network|date=25 April 2018 |language=en}}

The administrative organisation of the headquarters is as follows:{{Cite web|date=17 August 2020|title=Map/Maps showing the responsibilities of the British Army's Regional Commands across the United Kingdom|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/672187/response/1617887/attach/3/20200813%20FOI08475%20Arbeely%20Response%20Letter%20ArmySec.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=17 August 2020|website=What do they know?}}

• Headquarters South West, at Jellalabad Barracks, Tidworth Camp
• Headquarters South West Personnel Recovery Unit, at Wyvern Barracks, Exeter{{Cite web|title=Google Earth|url=https://earth.google.com/web/search/Wyvern+Barracks,+Exeter/@50.71045918,-3.51230341,22.17050603a,0d,15y,69.5826462h,91.94063454t,0r/data=CigiJgokCSFNyLfWH0pAEfpj6tmzH0pAGVBwbraxNOY_IfTonKfeJeY_IhoKFkxiSW5SanA0bUY0V096MG9GUS16WkEQAg|access-date=2021-11-11|website=earth.google.com}}
• Bristol University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve), at the Artillery Grounds, Bristol{{Cite web|title=Bristol UOTC|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/university-officers-training-corps/bristol-uotc/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}
• Exeter University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve), at Wyvern Barracks, Exeter{{Cite web|title=NOT YOUR AVERAGE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/university-officers-training-corps/exeter-uotc/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}
• Headquarters South West Cadet Training Team, at Airfield Camp, Netheravon{{Cite web|date=7 December 2021|title=Freedom of Information (Act) request regarding current Army Cadet Training Teams (CTTs)|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/804576/response/1930395/attach/3/20211207%20FOI13531%20Zacchi%20Response%20Letter%20ArmyPolSec.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|access-date=9 December 2021|website=What do they know?|publisher=Ministry of Defence}}British Army, [https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/countyfiles.armycadets.com/somersetAcf/20190317_HQSW_CFAV_TIBUA_Course_Photo.pdf?mtime=20190319105830 Headquarters South West Cadet Training Team Course Picture]. British Army. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
• City and County of Bristol Army Cadet Force, in Keynsham{{Cite web|title=City And County Of Bristol Army Cadets|url=https://armycadets.com/county/city-and-county-of-bristol-acf/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Army Cadets UK|language=en-GB}}
• Cornwall Army Cadet Force, in Bodmin{{Cite web|title=Cornwall Army Cadets|url=https://armycadets.com/county/cornwall-acf/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Army Cadets UK|language=en-GB}}
• Devon Army Cadet Force, in Exeter{{Cite web|title=Devon Army Cadets|url=https://armycadets.com/county/devon-acf/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Army Cadets UK|language=en-GB}}
• Dorset Army Cadet Force, in Dorchester{{Cite web|title=Dorset Army Cadets|url=https://armycadets.com/county/dorset-acf/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Army Cadets UK|language=en-GB}}
• Gloucestershire Army Cadet Force, in Cheltenham{{Cite web|title=Gloucestershire Army Cadets|url=https://armycadets.com/county/gloucestershire-acf/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Army Cadets UK|language=en-GB}}
• Somerset Army Cadet Force, at Jellalabad Barracks, Taunton{{Cite web|title=Somerset Army Cadets for more fun and excitement...|url=https://armycadets.com/county/somerset-acf/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Army Cadets UK|language=en-GB}}
• Wiltshire Army Cadet Force, at Le Marchant Barracks, Devizes{{Cite web|title=Wiltshire Army Cadets|url=https://armycadets.com/county/wiltshire-acf/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Army Cadets UK|language=en-GB}}

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Category:British Army Regional Points of Command

Category:Military units and formations established in 2014