Divisional Information

 

During its existence in WW1 the 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment served in 3 separate Divisions. The first being The Welsh Border Brigade 53rd Division, 28th Division and finally the 49th Division. All are listed below to give the reader some idea of who the 3rd Monmouth’s were serving with and what went to form a Division on the Western Front.

 

The following lists have been compiled using information from Brad Chappell’s web site The Regimental Warpath at www.warpath.orbat.com.

 

53rd (Welsh) Division   

The Welsh Division was a Territorial Force Division already in existence at the outbreak of the war. The Division and Brigades were not numbered until April 1915 previously just named. The Division served in Egypt , Gallipoli and Palestine . Between June and August 1918 the Division was reduced to one British Infantry unit per Brigade, the shortfall was made up with Indian units. Served in Palestine until the Armistice (31 October 1918).

160th Welsh Border Brigade

The 1/3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regt was attached to this division between 04 Aug 1914 - 13 Feb 1915 and did not see any active service during this period. On the 13th Feb 1915 the battalion departed Cambridge en-route to the Western Front where it was attached to the 28th Division.


28th Division   

Formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester between December 1914 and January 1915 from the Regular Battalions returning from overseas garrisons. Arrived in France in January 1915. Served in France and Flanders until November 1915 when the Division moved to Macedonia. Served in Macedonia until the Armistice (30 September 1918). 

Battles and Engagements 

France and Flanders 

Battle of Gravenstaffel. 22-23 Apr 1915.

Battle of St. Julien. 24 Apr-5 May 1915.

Battle of Frezenberg. 8-13 May 1915.

Battle of Bellewaarde. 24-25 May 1915. 

Infantry Units

83rd Brigade. 

2nd Bn King’s Own. 23 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

1/5th Bn King’s Own. 03 Mar 1915 - 21 Oct 1915. To the 1st Division.

2nd Bn East Yorkshire Regt. 23 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

1st Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (TF). 13 Dec 1914 - 20 Jun 1918. To the 50th Division.

1st Bn York and Lancaster Regt. 24 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

1/3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regt (TF). 03 Mar 1915 - 02 Sep 1915. To the 49th Division. (Amalgamated with the 1/1st in the 84th Brigade on 27 May 1915. Resumed identity on 11 Aug 1915 and returned to the 83rd Brigade). 

84th Brigade. 

2nd Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 23 Dec 1914 - 21 Jun 1918. To the 50th Division.

1st Bn Suffolk Regt. 07 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

2nd Bn Cheshire Regt. 24 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

1st Bn Welsh Regt. 23 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

1/6th Bn Welsh Regt. 05 Jul 1915 - 23 Oct 1915. To the 1st Division.

1/1st Bn Monmouthshire Regt (TF). Feb 1915 - 03 Sep 1915. To the 46th Division. (Amalgamated with the 1/2nd and 1/3rd Bns on 27 May 1915 until 11 Aug 1915).

1/12th Bn London Regt (TF). 08 Feb 1915 - 20 May 1915. To the GHQ Troops.  

85th Brigade. 

2nd Bn Buffs. 23 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

3rd Bn Royal Fusiliers. 24 Dec 1914 - 26 Jun 1918. To the 50th Division.

2nd Bn East Surrey Regt. 24 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

3rd Bn Middlesex Regt (TF). 24 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

1/8th Bn Middlesex Regt. 11 Mar 1915 - 20 Jun 1915. To the 8th Division.  

228th Brigade. (Attached to the Division Mar 1917 - 30 Sep 1918). 

2nd Garrison Bn King’s. 28 Aug 1917 - 30 Sep 1918.

2/5th Bn Durham Light Infantry. 01 Mar 1917 - 30 Sep 1918.

1st Garrison Bn Seaforth Highlanders. 01 Mar 1917 - 30 Sep 1918.

2nd Garrison Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers. 01 Mar 1917 - 06 Aug 1917.

22nd Bn Rifle Brigade. 01 Mar 1917 - 30 Sep 1918.

 Pioneers. 

23rd Bn Welsh Regt. 31 Aug 1916 - 30 Sep 1918. 

Attached Troops. 

1/12th Bn London Regt. 30 Jan 1915 - 08 Feb 1915. To the 84th Brigade. 

Artillery Units 

Royal Field Artillery 

III Brigade. 

18th Bty. 19 Nov 1914 - 30 Sep 1918. Part of this Bty was used to form the 365th Bty.

22nd Bty. 20 Feb 1915 - 20 Jul 1916. To the CXXX Brigade.

62nd Bty. 19 Nov 1914 - 30 Sep 1918. Part of this Bty was used to form the 366th Bty.

75th Bty. 19 Nov 1914 - 22 Dec 1914. To the CXLVI Brigade. Part of this Bty was used to form the 367th Bty.

365th Bty. 19 Nov 1914 - 11 Aug 1917. Broken up and divided between the 18th and 62nd Btys.

D (Howitzer) Bty. 10 Aug 1917 - 30 Sep 1918. 

XXXI Brigade. 

69th Bty. 22/23 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

100th Bty. 22/23 Dec 1914 - 30 Sep 1918.

103rd Bty. 22/23 Dec 1914 - 25 Dec 1916. Broken up and divided between the 69th and 100th Btys.

118th Bty. 07 Feb 1915 - 25 Jul 1916. To the CXXX Brigade.

131st Bty. One of the original Btys, when the Bde arrived at Winchester the Bty joined the 27th Division.

132nd Bty. One of the original Btys, when the Bde arrived at Winchester the Bty joined the 27th Division.

133rd Bty. One of the original Btys, when the Bde arrived at Winchester the Bty joined the 27th Division. 

CXLVI Brigade. (Formed 22 Dec 1914). Left the Division on 11 Aug 1917. To Egypt.  

22nd A Bty. 11 Feb 1915 - 05 Mar 1915. Renumbered to 149th Bty. The Bty was formed from one section each from the 22nd and 118th Btys.

75th Bty. 22 Dec 1914 - 11 Aug 1917. To Egypt eventually joining the CCLXIII Brigade, 10th Division.

149th Bty. (Renumbered 22nd A Bty). 05 Mar 1915 - 27 Jul 1916. To the CXXX Brigade.

366th Bty. 22 Dec 1914 - 11 Aug 1917. Eventually joined the CCLXVIII Brigade, 74th Division.

367th Bty. 22 Dec 1914 - 28 Dec 1916. Broken up and divided between the 75th and 366th Btys.      

Attached Units.

VII (Howitzer) Brigade. (Attached from the 5th Division 21 Feb 1915 - 23 Jun 1915.) 

37th (Howitzer) Bty. 21 Feb 1915 - 23 Jun 1915. To the 5th Division.

65th (Howitzer) Bty. 21 Feb 1915 - 23 Feb 1915. To the 5th Division. 

22nd Bty. 04 Feb 1915 - 20 Feb 1915. To the III Brigade. 

7th Mountain Bty. 30 Dec 1915 - 18 Jun 1916. To the 3rd Mountain Brigade (which at this time was not part of the Division). 

Field Coys R.E. 38, 1/Northumbrian (TF) 

Mounted Troops: B Squadron Surrey Yeomanry. Cyclist Coy. 

Royal Flying Corps

The following squadrons were all active on the Western Front during the period of the 3rd Monmouths

tour of duty with 28th Division. 

1 Sqn

II Sqn

3 Sqn

IV Sqn

V Sqn

VI Sqn

7 Sqn

VIII Sqn

IX Sqn

12 Sqn

 The RFC Squadrons listed below are all eligible to have Ypres 1915 emblazoned on their respective standards

 1 Sqn

2 Sqn

5 Sqn

6 Sqn

 

49th (West Riding) Division  

The West Riding Division was a Territorial Force Division already in existence at the outbreak of the war. Arrived in France in April 1915 where it served in France and Flanders until the Armistice. 

Battles and Engagements 

France and Flanders 

Battle of Albert. 1-13 Jul 1916, including the capture of Montauban, Mametz, Fricourt, Contalmaison and La Boisselle.

Battle of Bazentin. 14-17 Jul 1916, including the capture of Longueval, Trones Wood and Ovillers.

Battle of Pozieres. 23 Jul 1916, including the fighting for Mouquet Farm.

 Infantry Units

 146th (1st West Riding) Brigade.

 1/5th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

1/6th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

1/7th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

1/8th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 30 Jan 1918. To the 62nd Division.

  147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade.

 1/4th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

1/5th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 30 Jan 1918. To the 62nd Division.

1/6th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

1/7th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

148th (3rd West Riding) Brigade.

 1/4th Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

1/5th Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 04 Aug 1914 - 30 Jan 1918. To the 62nd Division.

1/4th Bn York and Lancaster Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

1/5th Bn York and Lancaster Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

 Pioneers.

 19th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 07 Aug 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

1/3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. 18 Sep 1915 - 09 Aug 1915. To the GHQ Troops.

 Attached Troops.

 1/3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. 02 Sep 1915 - 18 Sep 1915. Became the Pioneer Bn.

30th Composite Brigade. 02 May 1918 - 05 Jun 1918.

 Artillery Units

 Royal Field Artillery

 1st West Riding Brigade. Numbered CCXLV Apr 1916.

1/1st West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 03 Apr 1916. Became A Bty.

1/2nd West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 03 Apr 1916. Became B Bty.

1/3rd West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 03 Apr 1916. Became C Bty.

 CCXLV Brigade. Reorganized on 21 May 1916.

 A Bty. 03 Apr 1916 - 21 May 1916. Remained with the Brigade.

B Bty. 03 Apr 1916 - 21 May 1916. Remained with the Brigade.

C Bty. 03 Apr 1916 - 21 May 1916. to the CCXLVIII Brigade where it became A Bty.

D Bty. (Newly formed?). 17 Apr 1916 - 21 May 1916. Became C Bty.

 CCXLV Brigade. Reorganized 18 Oct 1916.

 A Bty. 21 May 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

B Bty. 21 May 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

C Bty. 21 May 1916 - 18 Oct 1916. Broken up and divided between A and B Btys.

C Bty. (From CCXLVIII Bde). 18 Oct 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

D (Howitzer) Bty. (From CCXLVIII Bde). 21 May 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

 2nd West Riding Brigade. Numbered CCXLVI May 1916.

 1/4th West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 01 May 1916. Became A Bty.

1/5th West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 01 May 1916. To the CCXLVIII Brigade where it became B Bty.

1/6th West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 01 May 1916. Became B Bty.

D Bty. (Newly formed). 16 Apr 1916 - 01 May 1916. Became C Bty.

 CCXLVI Brigade. Reorganized 18 Oct 1916.

 A Bty. 01 May 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

B Bty. 01 May 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

C Bty. 01 May 1916 - 18 Oct 1916. Broken up and divided between A and B Btys.

C Bty. (From CCXLVLIII Bde). 18 Oct 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

D (Howitzer) Bty. (From CCXLVIII Bde). 01 May 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

 3rd West Riding Brigade. Numbered CCXLVII May 1916.

1/7th West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 13 May 1916. Became A Bty.

1/8th West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 13 May 1916. Became B Bty.

1/9th West Riding Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 13 May 1916. Became C Bty.

D Bty. (Newly formed).19 Apr 1916 - 13 May 1916. To the CCXLVIII Brigade where it became C Bty.

 CCXLVII Brigade. Broken up Feb 1917.

 A Bty. 13 May 1916 - 01 Jan 1917. To the CL Army Field Artillery Brigade.

B Bty. 13 May 1916 - 18 Oct 1916. Broken up and divided between A and C Btys.

B (Howitzer) Bty. 04 Dec 1916. 08 Jan 1917. One section to D (Howitzer) Bty, CCXLV Brigade and one section to D (Howitzer) Bty, CCXLVI Brigade.

C Bty. 13 May 1916 - 01 Jan 1917. To the CCXXXII Army Field Artillery Brigade.

D (Howitzer) Bty. (From CCXLVIII Bde). 13 May 1916 - 01 Jan 1917. Broken up, one section with A Bty to the CL Army Field Artillery Brigade and one section with C Bty to the CCXXXII Army Field Artillery Brigade.

518th (Howitzer) Bty. 19 Oct 1916 - 04 Dec 1916. Became B (Howitzer) Bty.

 4th West Riding (Howitzer) Brigade. Numbered CCXLVIII May 1916.

 1/10th West Riding (Howitzer) Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 01 May 1916. To the CCXLVI Brigade where it became D (Howitzer) Bty.

1/11th West Riding (Howitzer) Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 21 May 1916. To the CCXLV Brigade where it became D (Howitzer) Bty.

D (Howitzer) Bty. 16 Feb 1916 - 13 May 1916. To the CCXLVII Brigade.

 CCXLVIII Brigade. Broken up 18 Oct 1916.

 A Bty. (From CCXLV Bde). 21 May 1916 - 18 Oct 1916. To the CCXLV Brigade where it became C Bty.

B Bty. (From CCXLVI Bde). 01 May 1916 - 18 Oct 1916. To the CCXLVI Brigade where it became C Bty.

C Bty. (From CCXLVII Bde). 13 May 1916 - 18 Oct 1916. Broken up, one section with A Bty to the CCXLV Brigade, and one section with B Bty to the CCXLVI Brigade.

 Royal Garrison Artillery

 West Riding Heavy Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - End 1914. Left the Division and went to France where it joined the VIII Brigade, 2nd Group Heavy Artillery Reserve.

West Riding Heavy Bty. 13 May 1915 - 28 Jun 1915. To the VIII Brigade, RGA.

 Royal Flying Corps

 The following squadrons were all active on the Western Front during the period of the 3rd Monmouths

tour of duty with 49th Division.

 1 Sqn

II Sqn

3 Sqn

IV Sqn

V Sqn

VI Sqn

7 Sqn

VIII Sqn

IX Sqn

12 Sqn

 

AN EXPLANATION OF THE FORMATIONS WITHIN THE BRITISH ARMY

 

The formation titles used by the British Army can cause confusion by the fact that there are so many. I have tried to explain the more common Infantry ones below.

 

Army. A formation made up of several Corps. Corps were allocated to armies as required.

 

Corps. A formation made up of several Divisions. Divisions were allocated to and from Corps as required.

 

Division. (Div). A formation made up of three Brigades. This was the largest self-contained formation which normally was consistent in its make up.

 

Brigade. (Bde). A formation made up of four Battalions. (This changed to three towards the end of the war).

 

Battalion. (Bn). Approximately 1000 men made up a Battalion, although this was seldom achieved once a Battalion had been in combat. This was the smallest self-contained formation which normally was consistent in its make up.

 

Company. (Coy). A sub unit of a Battalion. Four Companies make up a Battalion. (This changed to three towards the end of the war).

 

Platoon. A sub unit of a Company. Four platoons make up a Company.

 

Section. A sub unit of a platoon. Four sections make up a platoon.

 

Regiment. (Regt). Not an actual body of men, but a title under which a number of Battalions are formed and maintained.

 

Cadre. Later in the war some Divisions and Battalions were reduced to Cadre strength, this was when most of the fighting strength of the unit was drafted to other units and a small Cadre (number) of troops remained to reform the unit with new soldiers. This allowed new troops to receive training from veteran troops prior to reaching the front. The Cadre would normally be brought back to GreatBritain to be either absorbed or reformed. Some Battalions were reduced to Training Cadre, here the Battalion would send fewer troops to other units and the Cadre of the Battalion would be used to train new units arriving in France, normally American troops.