 In October 1941 , Frederick Arthur Montague Browning was promoted to Major General , named the Commander Parachute and Airborne Troops , and ordered to form a headquarters to develop and train airborne forces . The next unit formed was the 1st Airlanding Brigade on 10 October 1941 , by the conversion of the mountain warfare trained 31st Independent Infantry Brigade Group , commanded by Brigadier George F. Hopkinson . The brigade comprised four battalions : the 1st Border Regiment , 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment , 2nd Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry , and the 1st Royal Ulster Rifles . The men who were unsuitable for airborne forces were replaced by volunteers from other units . By the end of the year Browning 's command had become the headquarters of 1st Airborne Division . 
