40th DIVISION

Formed in Great Britain in July 1915 as a Bantam Division, from the Locally Raised Bantam Battalions from all over the country. Arrived in France in June 1916. The Division was reduced to Cadre in May 1918 and was reconstituted in June 1918 with Battalions of a low grade. Served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

Battles and Engagements.

France and Flanders.

Battle of the Ancre. 13-18 Nov 1916, including the capture of Beaumont Hamel.

German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. 14 Mar-5 Apr 1917.
Capture of Bourlon Wood. 23-28 Nov 1917.

Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 Mar 1918.
First Battle of Bapaume. 24-25 Mar 1918.
Battle of Estaires. 9-11 Apr 1918, including the first defence of Givenchy.
Battle of Hazebrouck. 12-15 Apr 1918, including the defence of the Hinges Ridge and the Nieppe Forest.
Advance in Flanders. 18 Aug-6 Sep 1918.
Battle of Ypres. 28 Sep-2 Oct 1918.

Infantry Units

119th Brigade. (Known as the Welsh Bantam Brigade until Sep 1915.)

Prior to being reduced to Cadre.

19th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Sep 1915 - 06 Feb 1918. Disbanded.
12th Bn South Wales Borderers. Jul 1915 - 16 Feb 1918. Disbanded.
13th Bn East Surrey Regt. 16 Feb 1918 - 03 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 05 May 1918. Cadre to the 34th Division.
17th Bn Welsh Regt. Jul 1915 - 16 Feb 1918. Disbanded.
18th Bn Welsh Regt. Jul 1915 - 18 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 05 May 1918. Cadre to the 16th Division.
21st Bn Middlesex Regt. 05 Feb 1918 - 03 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 05 May 1918. Cadre to the 34th Division.
10/11th Bn Highland Light Infantry. 01 Feb 1918 - 16 Feb 1918. To the 120th Brigade.

After being reformed.

13th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 11 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
13th Bn East Lancashire Regt. 11 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
12th Bn North Staffordshire Regt. 15 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

120th Brigade.

Prior to being reduced to Cadre.

11th Bn King’s Own. Aug 1915 - 07 Feb 1918. Disbanded.
2nd Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers. 07 Apr 1918 - 26 Apr 1918. To the 9th Division.
13th Bn Cameronians. Sep 1915 - Feb 1916. Absorbed by the 14th Bn Highland Light Infantry.
13th Bn East Surrey Regt. 23 Feb 1916 - 16 Feb 1918. To the 119th Brigade.
12th Bn South Lancashire Regt. Jan 1916 - 02 Mar 1916. Absorbed by the 11th Bn King’s Own.
10/11th Bn Highland Light Infantry. 16 Feb 1918 - 03 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 06 May 1918. Cadre to the 14th Division.
14th Bn Highland Light Infantry. Sep 1915 - 03 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 06 May 1918. Cadre to the 34th Division.
14th Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. 23 Feb 1916 - 07 Apr 1918. To the 30th Division.

After being reformed.

10th Bn King’s Own Scottish Borderers. 11 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
15th Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 11 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
11th Bn Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. 10 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

121st Brigade.

Before being reduced to Cadre.

12th Bn Suffolk Regt. Nov 1915 - 16 Jun 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 06 May 1918. Cadre to the 14th Division.
13th Bn Yorkshire Regt. Jul 1915 - 03 Jun 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 06 May 1918. Cadre to the 34th Division.
18th Bn Sherwood Foresters. Autumn 1915 - 02 Feb 1916. Absorbed by the 13th Bn Yorkshire Regt.
20th Bn Middlesex Regt. Feb 1916 - 31 May 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 06 May 1918. Cadre to the 16th Division.
21st Middlesex Regt. Feb 1916 - 05 Feb 1918. To the 119th Brigade.
22nd Middlesex Regt. Oct 1915 - 02 Apr 1918. Disbanded.

After being reformed.

8th Bn Royal Irish Regt. 20 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
23rd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 19 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
23rd Bn Cheshire Regt. 20 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
Cadre 10th Bn Worcestershire Regt. 28 Jun 1918 - 10 Jul 1918. Absorbed by the 17th Bn.
17th Bn Worcestershire Regt. 18 Jun 1918 - 29 Jun 1918. Became the Pioneer Bn.

Pioneers.

12th Bn Yorkshire Regt. Sep 1915 - 28 Jun 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 05 May 1918. Cadre absorbed by the 17th Bn Worcestershire Regt.
17th Bn Worcestershire Regt. 29 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

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