1945

NW Europe. Oct/Nov Division moved from Germany to Middle East (8th and 9th Infantry Brigade to Kassasin in Canal Zone and 185th Infantry Brigade to Palestine). Dec Division moved to Palestine to replace 1st Infantry Division took over the security of Northern Palestine, 185 Brigade was in Jerusalem, 8 Brigade (1 Suffolks) was at Haifa and 9 Brigade at Hadera.

1946

Palestine. June Division (7th, 8th and 9th Infantry Brigades) moved to Canal Zone.

1947

Canal Zone, Egypt. Jan division (Divisional RA and 8th, 9th and 61st ?Infantry Brigade from Austria) moved to Gaza area. June division disbanded in Palestine.

1951

January HQ 3rd Infantry Division reformed in Colchester with :- GOC - Maj Gen Sir Hugh Stockwell. OOB - 3rd Infantry Division Signal Regiment – Colchester,

19th Infantry Brigade in Colchester, 32nd Guards Brigade in London District, 39th Infantry Brigade at Dover. Oct 19th Infantry Brigade (1 Devons, 1 HLI, 1 East Surreys and 48 Regt RA) moved to Tripoli, Libya, relieved 1st Guards Brigade Group who moved to Canal Zone. Nov HQ Division with 39th Infantry Brigade (1 Buffs, 1 Border, 2nd Inns Fus, 49 Fld Regt RA and 25 Field Engineer Regt RE) and 32nd Guards Bde (1 Coldstream, 1 Scots and 1 Beds & Herts) moved from UK to Cyprus. 5 Nov Div HQ, HQ 39 Bde, 1 Buffs, 1 Border sailed from UK on HMS Illustrious. 1 Innis Fus, 49 Fld Regt RA and 25 Fld Regt RA sailed on Triumph. 12 Nov both ships docked at Famagusta and all troops disembarked. Late Nov HMS Illustrious back at Portsmouth, picked up 32nd Guards Brigade (1 Coldstream, 1 Scots and 1 Beds & Herts) for Cyprus.

1952

Cyprus. OOB - 32nd Guards and 39th Infantry Brigade with 19th Infantry Brigade in Libya. Feb Div HQ with 32nd Guards and 39th Infantry Brigade moved from Cyprus to the Canal Zone, it assumed responsibility for North Area, 1st Div controlled South area. Had 3rd Infantry Brigade under command for a short while, but was later replaced by 16th Parachute Bde. Div deployment: 32nd Guards Brigade - El Ballah, 39th Infantry Brigade – Tel-El-Kibir and 16th Parachute Brigade – Ismalia. September HQ 19th Infantry Brigade with 1 HLI and a little later 1 East Surrey joined the div in the Canal Zone.  39th Infantry Brigade moved to UK then to Kenya leaving behind 1 Border which joined 19th Infantry Brigade.

1953

Egypt: Canal Zone – OOB - 16th Parachute Bde, 19th Infantry Brigade and 32nd Guards Brigade. 39 Infantry Brigade? 32nd Guards Brigade renamed 29th

Infantry Brigade. 39 Infantry Brigade left div.

1954

Egypt: Canal Zone – OOB - 16th Parachute Bde, 19th Infantry Brigade, 29th Infantry Brigade. July or late in year moved from Canal Zone to Colchester, England.

1955

England: HQ at Colchester: Div was UK strategic reserve with Div HQ and 19th Infantry Brigade at Colchester and 29th Infantry Brigade at Dover.

1956

England: HQ at Colchester: Div was UK strategic reserve with Div HQ and 19th Infantry Brigade at Colchester and 29th Infantry Brigade at Dover. May 1st Guards Brigade at Shorncliffe joined div. 1 Aug Div was ordered to mobilise: 19th Infantry Brigade had no infantry till 1 A and SH arrived from Berlin in mid August, 1 Royal Scots moved from Elgin and 1 West Yorks from Ulster to join the brigade. 1 Nov Div less (1st Guards Brigade) sailed from Southampton. 10 Nov The Troopships “New Australia”, “Empire

Fowey” and “Asturias” arrived off the coast of Egypt carrying the leading elements of General Churcher’s 3rd Division, comprising 19 and 29 Infantry brigades and 1 RTR (did not disembark). 13 Nov Div disembarked at Port Said. 6 Dec Div HQ and 29th Infantry Brigade (less 1 York & Lancs) embarked Port Said for England. 8 Dec 1 York & Lancs embarked Port Said for England. 22 Dec 19th Infantry Brigade embarked Port Said for England.

1957

England: HQ at Colchester: Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 1st Guards Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade, 29th Infantry Brigade. 2 Jan 19th Infantry Brigade disembarked at Southampton.

1958

England: HQ at Colchester: Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 1st Guards Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade, 29th Infantry Brigade. July Div HQ and 2 Bdes moved to Cyprus. Nov moved back to Colchester, England. 29th Infantry Brigade left div.

1959

England: HQ at Colchester: Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 1st Guards Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade. October HQ moved to Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp, displacing 1st Division which was reformed in BAOR. OOB - 1st Guards Brigade Group, HQ at Figsbury near Salisbury, 19th Infantry Brigade Group at Colchester and 2nd Infantry Brigade at Plymouth.

1960

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 1st Guards Brigade Group, 19th Infantry Brigade Group and 2nd Infantry Brigade. Mar Ex “Starlight Express” in Libya – 1st Guards Brigade Group (2 Scots Gds, 1 DERR and 25 Fld Regt RA), enemy provided by 1 Welch and ‘A’ Sqn 2 RTR who were already in Libya. Nov 1st Guards Brigade redesignated 51st Infantry Bde.

1961

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – OOB - 2nd Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade and 51st Infantry Bde. 8 July HQ 19th Infantry Brigade with 1 DWR moved to Kenya.

1962

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 2nd Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade and 51st Infantry Bde.

1963

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 2nd Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade and 51st Infantry Bde. Late in year Ex “Triplex West” in Libya – 19th Infantry Brigade Group – 5 Skins, 14/20 Hussars, 1 Foresters, 2 Fld Regt RA. Dec 2 Fld Regt RA moved to Cyprus.

1964

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 2nd Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade and 51st Infantry Bde. 2 Feb Div HQ moved to Cyprus. 5th Infantry Brigade and 16th Parachute Bde joined division. HQ 51st Infantry Bde left div and moved to Borneo. Sept Div HQ returned to England.

1965

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 2nd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade and 16th Parachute Bde. During year HQ’s of 5 and 19 brigades did emergency tours in Borneo.

1966

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 2nd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade and 16th Parachute Bde. 2nd Infantry Brigade left div.

1967

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 16th Parachute Bde, 19th Infantry Brigade. 24th Infantry Brigade moved from Aden to Plymouth and joined the division.

1968

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 16th Parachute Bde, 19th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Brigade.

1969

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 16th Parachute Bde, 19th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Brigade. By 17 Aug HQ 24th Infantry Brigade had moved to Northern Ireland.

1970

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 16th Parachute Bde, 19th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Brigade. 16th Parachute Brigade left div. HQ 24th Infantry Brigade moved from Plymouth to Barnard Castle.

1971 - 1972

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Brigade.

1973

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Brigade. HQ 24th Infantry Brigade moved from Barnard Castle to Topcliffe.

1974

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Brigade. 20 July Turkey invaded Cyprus, HQ 24th Infantry Brigade were on exercise in Cyprus and were ordered to remain and took over command of the protection of the Western SBA at Limassol/Episkopi. Took under command 1 Royal Scots (resident BN), 40 Cdo Group (including 7 Cdo Lt Bty) from UK, 8 Fld Sqn RE, 15 Sqn RAF Regt and sent from UK a composite armoured regt with B Sqn 15/6, B Sqn Blues and Royals and C Sqn 4/7 DG. Oct HQ 24th Infantry Brigade returned to UK.

1975

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Brigade.

1976

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Brigade. Army restructed. 30 July 24th Infantry Brigade left div and temporarily disbanded at a parade held at Topcliffe.

1977

England: HQ at Carter Barracks, Bulford Camp – Div was UK strategic reserve. OOB - 5th Infantry Brigade, 19th Airportable Brigade. Division was to reform as an Armoured Div HQ in Germany. 1 April 5th Infantry Brigade left div and became 8 Field Force. 1 Aug 19th Airportable Brigade left div and became 7 Field Force on 1 April 1978. 1 Sept 3 Armd Div HQ and Sig Sqn was formed with RHQ, HQ Sqn and 2 Sqn at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke near Soest and 1 Sqn at Salamanca Bks, Soest.

1978

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. 1 Jan 3 Armd Div HQ officially arrived in San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. Took under command Task Force Echo which was based in the Paderborn area and Task Force Foxtrot in the Soest area.

1979 - 1980

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB - Task Force Echo and Task Force Foxtrot.

1981

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB - Task Force Echo and Task Force Foxtrot. 1 Jan army reverted back to brigades, Task Force Echo became 33rd Armoured Brigade and Task Force Foxtrot became 6th Armoured Brigade. 19th Infantry Brigade in Colchester was placed under the division’s command.

1982

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB – 6th Armoured Brigade, 33rd Armoured Brigade and 19th Infantry Brigade. 33rd Armoured Brigade moved to 4 Armd Div and 4th Armoured Brigade joined the div.

1983

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB – 4th Armoured Brigade, 6th Armoured Brigade and 19th Infantry Brigade. Summer 6th Armd Bde began converting to an airmobile role.

1984

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB – 4th Armoured Brigade, 6th Armoured Brigade and 19th Infantry Brigade. Jan 6th Armd Bde was

renamed 6th Airmobile Bde. Sept Ex “Lionheart” 3rd Armd Div - 4th Armd Bde, 6th Airmobile Bde and 19th Infantry Brigade (from UK) and 24th Infantry Brigade (from UK).

1985

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB – 4th Armoured Brigade, 6th Airmobile Brigade and 19th Infantry Brigade?

1986

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB – 4th Armoured Brigade and 6th Airmobile Brigade. March 33rd Armoured Brigade moved from 4 Div back to 3 Div.

1987

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB – 4th Armoured Brigade, 6th Airmobile Brigade and 33rd Armoured Brigade. 6th Airmobile Bde re-equipped as an armoured brigade.

1988 - 1991

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB – 4th Armoured Brigade, 6th Armoured Brigade and 33rd Armoured Brigade.

1992

Germany: HQ at San Sebastian Bks, Korbecke. OOB – 4th Armoured Brigade, 6th Armoured Brigade (to July) and 33rd Armoured Brigade. Sept division became non-operational. Division HQ was re-established in England at Picton Bks, Bulford as 3rd (UK) Division.  OOB – 1 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 5 Airborne Bde.

1993 - 1994

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB – 1 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 5 Airborne Bde.

1995

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB – 1 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 5 Airborne Bde. Dec division HQ deployed to the former Republic of Yugoslavia where it acted as the Headquarters for the Multi National Division (South West)

1996

Bosnia and Herzegovina: HQ at Banja Luka. OOB – 1 Mechanised Bde (Bosnia and Herzegovina), 19 Mechanised Bde and 5 Airborne Bde. Division HQ deployed to the former Republic of Yugoslavia where it acted as the Headquarters for the Multi National Division (South West). June handed over responsibility for HQ MND (SW) to 1 Armd Division.

1997

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB – 1 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 5 Airborne Bde.

1998

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB – 1 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 5 Airborne Bde. April to October Division HQ deployed to the former Republic of Yugoslavia where it acted as the Headquarters for the Multi National Division (South West)

1999

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB – 1 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 5 Airborne Bde. June to July Div HQ deployed to Kosovo to control British forces in the occupation of Kosovo. On 1 September the Division was freed from its administrative and regional responsibilities and it become a deployable division. OOB - 1 Mechanised Bde, 12 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 101 Logistic Brigade.

2000 - 2002

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB - 1 Mechanised Bde, 12 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 101 Logistic Brigade.

2003

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB - 1 Mechanised Bde, 12 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 101 Logistic Brigade. 3(UK) Division took over from 1(UK) Division as the British force headquarters in Iraq at 1200 (local) on 11 July. 3(UK) Division has formed the headquarters of the new Multi-National Division (South-East) with UK, Italian, Norwegian, Romanian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Portuguese, Lithuanian and New Zealand troops coming under its command. The Italian Brigade assumed responsibility for Dhi Qar province at midnight on 14/15 July.

2004

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB - 1 Mechanised Bde, 12 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 101 Logistic Brigade.

2005

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB - 1 Mechanised Bde, 12 Mechanised Bde, 19 Mechanised Bde and 101 Logistic Brigade. 19 Mechanised Bde renamed 19 Light Bde

2006

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB - 1 Mechanised Bde, 12 Mechanised Bde, 19 Light Bde and 101 Logistic Brigade.

2007

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB - 1 Mechanised Bde, 12 Mechanised Bde, 19 Light Bde and 101 Logistic Brigade. HQ 11 Light Bde formed in November and came under command 3 Division.

2008 -

England: HQ at Picton Bks, Bulford. OOB - 1 Mechanised Bde, 11 Light Bde, 12 Mechanised Bde, 19 Light Bde, 52 Infantry Bde and 101 Logistic Brigade.