The 5th Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment had been serving in 126th Infantry Brigade of 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division, which had fought in France and been evacuated at Dunkirk in May 1940. Later, these formations were redesignated 11th Armoured Brigade (later 11th Tank Brigade) and 42nd Armoured Division respectively. Serving alongside the regiment in the brigade were 110 RAC (previously 5th Borders) and 111 RAC (5th Manchesters). Based in Yorkshire (mainly at Keighley and later Leyburn), the regiment trained on Valentine tanks throughout 1942 and early 1943.