2nd Cavalry Division

The 2nd Cavalry Division was formed in France 13 September 1914 from the units under Brigadier Gough's command. The 3rd Cavalry Brigade from the 1st Cavalry Division and the 5th Cavalry Brigade which up until this time had been an independent brigade. The 4th Cavalry Brigade joined the division later. For convenience in this narrative I have included the brigades when independent and Gough's command as part of the 2nd Cavalry Division. At times during the war the cavalry brigades formed dismounted regiments, each brigade forming a regiment under the command of a Brigadier. The 2nd Cavalry Division served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

Battles and Engagements
France and Flanders

Battle of Mons. 23 - 14 Aug 1914. (5th Cavalry Bde while independent).
Affair of Cérizy. 28 Aug 1914. (5th Cavalry Bde while independent).
Battle of the Marne. 7- 10 Sep 1914, including the Passage of the Petit Morin and the Passage of the Marne. (Gough's Command).
Battle of the Aisne. 12 - 15 Sep 1914, including the Passage of the Aisne and Capture of the Aisne Heights and Chemin des Dames. (Gough's Command).
Battle of Messines. 12 Oct - 2 Nov 1914.
Capture of Meteren. 13 - 17 Oct 1914.
Battle of Gheluvelt. 30 - 31 Oct 1914.

 

  

Battle of St. Julien. 26 Apr - 3 May 1915.
Battle of Bellewaarde. 24 - 25 May 1915.

 

First Battle of the Scarpe. 9 - 11 Apr 1917.
The Tank Attack. 20 - 21 Nov 1917.
Capture of Bourlon Wood. 24 - 28 Nov 1917.
The German Counter Attacks. 30 Nov - 3 Dec 1917.

 

  

Battle of St. Quentin. 21 - 23 Mar 1918.
Battle of Amiens. 8 - 11 Aug 1918.
Battle of Albert. 21 - 23 Aug 1918.
Second Battle of Bapaume. 31 Aug - 3 Sep 1918.
Battle of the Canal Du Nord. 27 Sep - 1 Oct 1918.
Battle of the St. Quentin Canal. 29 Sep 2 Oct 1918.
Battle of Beaurevoir. 3 - 5 Oct 1918.
Battle of Cambrai. 8 - 9 Oct 1918.
The Persuit to the Selle. 9 - 12 Oct 1918.
Battle of the Sambre. 4 Nov 1918.
Capture of Mons. 11 Nov 1918.

 

 

Cavalry Units

 

3rd Cavalry Brigade.

4th Hussars. 06 Sep 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.
5th Lancers. 06 Sep 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.
16th Lancers. 06 Sep 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

  

4th Cavalry Brigade.

Composite Regt of Household Cavalry. 14 Oct 1914 - 11 Nov 1914. The 3 Sqns were transfered to their respective Regiments (1st and 2nd Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards) in the 3rd Cavalry Division.
6th Dragoon Guards. 14 Oct 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.
3rd Hussars. 14 Oct 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.
1st Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars. 11 Nov 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

5th Cavalry Brigade.

2nd Dragoons. 13 Sep 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.
12th Lancers. 13 Sep 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.
20th Hussars. 13 Sep 1914 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

  

Attached Troops

Longpre Group.

B Sqn Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry. 01 Jun 1916 - 21 Jun 1916. To the IX Corps Cavalry.
1st Leicestershire Yeaomanry. 14 Mar 1918 - 04 Apr 1918.
A Sqn Queen's Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry. 30 Apr 1916 - 14 May 1916. To the V Corps Cavalry.
D and HQ Sqns 1st Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry. 30 Apr 1916 - 14 May 1916. to the XI Corps Cavalry.
E Sqn North Irish Horse. 19 Apr 1916 - 30 Apr 1916. To the VII Corps Cavalry.
24th Divisional Cyclist Coy. 30 Apr 1916 - 17 May 1916. To the V Corps Cyclist Bn.
34th Divisional Cyclist Coy. 19 Apr 1916 - 01 May 1916. To the III Corps Cyclist Bn.

 

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