53rd (Welsh) Division

British units only.

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).

Battles and Engagements
Egypt

Western Frontier - Senussi Operations.
Wadi Senab. 11-13 Dec 1915.

 

    
Gallipoli

The landing at Suvla. 6-15 Aug 1915.

 

    
Palestine

First Battle of Gaza. 26-27 Mar 1917.
Second Battle of Gaza. 17-19 Apr 1917.
Third Battle of Gaza. 27 Oct-7 Nov 1917.
Capture of Beersheba. 31 Oct 1917.
Capture of Tell Khuweilfe. 3-7 Nov 1917.
Capture of Jersusalem. 7-9 Dec 1917.
Defence of Jerusalem. 26-30 Dec 1917.

 

  

Tell ‘Asure. 8-12 Mar 1918.
Battle of Nablus. 18-21 Sep 1918.

 

 

Infantry Units

 

158th (North Wales) Brigade.

1/4th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 04 Aug 1914 - 05 Nov 1914. To the 1st Division.
1/5th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 04 Aug 1914 - 03 Aug 1918. Amalgamated with the 1/6th Bn to form the 5/6th Bn.
5/6th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 03 Aug 1918 - 31 Oct 1918.
1/6th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 04 Aug 1914 - 03 Aug 1918. Amalgamated with the 1/5th Bn to form the 5/6th Bn.
1/7th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 04 Aug 1914 - 24 Jun 1918. To the 160th Brigade.
1/1st Bn Herefordshire Regt. 24 Apr 1915 - 01 Jun 1918. To the 34th Division.

 

  

159th (Cheshire) Brigade.

1/4th Bn Cheshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 31 May 1918. To the 34th Division.
1/5th Bn Cheshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 14 Feb 1915. To the 5th Division.
2/5th Bn Cheshire Regt. 18 Feb 1915 - 22 Apr 1915. To the 68th Division.
1/6th Bn Cheshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 09 Nov 1914. To the GHQ Troops.
2/6th Bn Cheshire Regt. 22 Nov 1914 - 22 Apr 1915. To the 68th Division.
1/7th Bn Cheshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 31 May 1918. To the 34th Division.
1/4th Bn Welsh Regt. 17 Apr 1915 - 30 Jul 1918. Amalgamated with the 1/5th Bn to form the 4/5th Bn.
4/5th Bn Welsh Regt. 30 Jul 1918 - 31 Oct 1918.
1/5th Bn Welsh Regt. 17 Apr 1915 - 30 Jul 1918. Amalgamated with the 1/4th Bn to form the 4/5th Bn.

 

160th (Welsh Border) Brigade.

2/4th Bn Queen’s. 29 Apr 1915 - 31 May 1918. To the 34th Division.
1/7th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 24 Jun 1918 - 31 Oct 1918.
1/4th Bn Royal Sussex Regt. 24 Apr 1915 - 30 May 1918. To the 34th Division.
Kent Composite Bn. 24 Apr 1915 - 14 Jun 1915. Became the 2/4th Bn Queen’s Own.
2/4th Bn Queen’s Own. 14 Jun 1915 - 25 Aug 1918. To the L of C Troops.
2/10th Bn Middlesex Regt. 24 Apr 1915 - 19 Aug 1918. Disbanded.
1/1st Bn Monmouthshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 28th Division.
2/1st Bn Monmouthshire Regt. 18 Feb 1915 - 22 Apr 1915. To the 68th Division.
1/2nd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 05 Nov 1914. To the 4th Division.
2/2nd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. 22 Nov 1914 - 22 Apr 1915. To the 68th Division.
1/3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 13 Feb 1915. To the 28th Division.
2/3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. 18 Feb 1915 - 22 Apr 1915. To the 68th Division.
1/1st Bn Herefordshire Regt. 04 Aug 914 - 24 Apr 1915. To the 158th Brigade.

 

  

Attached Troops.

2/4th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 22 Nov 1914 - 22 Apr 1915. To the 68th Division.
1/1st Brecknockshire Bn (SWB). 04 Aug 1914 - Oct 1914. To the 44th Division.
1/4th Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 04 Aug 1914 - 29 Oct 1914. To the 44th Division.
2/1st Bn London Regt. 15 Jan 1916 - Apr 1916. Left the Division and was disbanded by June.
2/2nd Bn London Regt. 22 Feb 1916. Apr 1916. Left the Division and was disbanded by June.
2/3rd Bn London Regt. 15 Jan 1916 - Apr 1916. Left the Division and was disbanded by June.
2/4th Bn London Regt. 22 Jan 1916 - Apr 1916. Left the Division and was disbanded by June.

 

 

Artillery Units
Royal Field Artillery

Note on Divisional Artillery

The artillery did not go to Gallipoli with the 53rd Division, it remained in the UK until Nov 1915 when it went to France. Here the various units were attached to other Btys for training. In Feb 1916 the 53rd Divisional artillery prepared to go to Egypt. It had rejoined the 53rd Division by 22 Feb 1916.

 

1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade. (See note above). Numbered CCLXV May 1916.

1/1st Glamorgan (Howitzer) Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became A (Howitzer) Bty.
1/2nd Glamorgan (Howitzer) Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became B (Howitzer) Bty.

CCLXV Brigade. Broken up 25 Dec 1916.

A (Howitzer) Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. To the new CCLXV Brigade where it became C (Howitzer) Bty.
B (Howitzer) Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. To the new CCLXVI Brigade where it became C (Howitzer) Bty.

 

  

2nd Welsh Brigade. (See note above). Numbered CCLXVI May 1916.

1/3rd Glamorgan Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became A Bty.
1/4th Glamorgan Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became B Bty.
Cardiganshire Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became C Bty.

CCLXVI Brigade. Reorganized 25 Dec 1916 and renumbered to CCXLVII.

A Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Broken up and divided between B and C Btys.
B Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Became A Bty.
C Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Became B Bty.

CCLXVII Brigade. (Former CCLXVI Brigade).

A Bty. 25 Dec 1916 - 31 Oct 1918.
B Bty. 25 Dec 1916 - 31 Oct 1918.
439th (Howitzer) Bty. (Newly formed). Apr 1918 - 31 Oct 1918.

 

Cheshire Brigade. (See note above). Renumbered CCLXVII May 1916.

1/1st Chesire Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became A Bty.
1/2nd Cheshire Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became B Bty.
1/3rd Cheshire Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became C Bty.

CCLXVII Brigade. Reorganized 25 Dec 1916 and renumbered to CCXLV.

A Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Broken up and divided between B and C Btys.
B Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Became A Bty.
C Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Became B Bty.

CCLXV. Brigade. (Former CCLXVII Brigade).

A Bty. 25 Dec 1916 - 31 Oct 1918.
B Bty. 25 Dec 1916 - 31 Oct 1918.
C (Howitzer) Bty. (From old CCLXV Bde). 25 Dec 1916 - 31 Oct 1918.

 

  

4th Welsh Brigade. (See note above). Renumbered CCLXVIII May 1916.

1/1st Monmouthshire Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became A Bty.
1/2nd Monmouthshire Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became B Bty.
1/3rd Monmouthshire Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - 26 May 1916. Became C Bty.

CCLXVIII Brigade. Reorganized 25 Dec 1915 and renumbered to CCLXVI.

A Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Remained with the Brigade.
B Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Remained with the Brigade.
C Bty. 26 May 1916 - 25 Dec 1916. Broken up and divided between A and B Btys.

CCLXVI Brigade. (Former CCLXVIII).

A Bty. 25 Dec 1916 - 31 Oct 1918.
B Bty. 25 Dec 1916 - 31 Oct 1918.
C (Howitzer) Bty. (From old CCLXV Bde). 25 Dec 1916 - 31 Oct 1918.

 
Royal Garrison Artillery

Welsh (Caernarvonshire) Heavy Bty. 04 Aug 1914 - Jul 1915. Eventually arriving in France Mar 1916 joining the 23rd Heavy Artillery Group.

 

    

Back to the Home Page

Back to British Divisions Page