49th (West Riding) Division

The West Riding 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. Arrived in France in April 1915. 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.
Battle of Flers-Courcelette. 15-22 Sep 1916, including the capture of Martinpuich.

 

 

Operations on the Flanders Coast. 20 Jun-11 Nov 1917.
Battle of Poelcappelle. 9 Oct 1917.

 

Battle of Messines. 10-11 Apr 1918.
Battle of Bailleul. 13-15 Apr 1918, including the defence of Neuve Eglise.
First Battle of Kemmel. 17-19 Apr 1918.
Second Battle of Kemmel. 25-26 Apr 1918.
Battle of the Scherpenberg. 29 Apr 1918.
The pursuit to the Selle. 9-12 Oct 1918.
Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct 1918.
Battle of Valenciennes. 1-2 Nov 1918, including the capture of Mont Houy.

 

   

 

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 1916. 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.

 

   

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