55th (WEST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION

The West Lancashire Division was a Territorial Force Division already in existence at the outbreak of the war. The Division was broken up early in 1915 and the Battalions went to serve in various other Divisions. The Division was reformed in France in January 1916 and this was when the Division and Brigades were numbered. Served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

Infantry Units

North Lancashire Brigade. (Joined the 51st Division on 18 Apr 1915.)

1/4th Bn King’s Own. 04 Aug 1914 - 18 Apr 1915. To the 51st Division.
1/5th Bn King’s Own. 04 Aug 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 28th Division.
2/5th Bn King’s Own. Feb 1915 - Apr 1915. To the 57th Division.
1/8th Bn King’s. Feb 1915 - 18 Apr 1915. To the 51st Division.
1/4th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - 18 Apr 1915. To the 51st Division.
1/5th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 6th Division.

Liverpool Brigade.

1/5th Bn King’s. 04 Aug 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 2nd Division.
1/6th Bn King’s. 04 Aug 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 5th Division.
1/7th Bn King’s. 04 Aug 1914 - Mar 1915. To the 2nd Division.
1/8th Bn King’s. 04 Aug 1914 - Feb 1915. To the North Lancashire Brigade.

South Lancashire Brigade.

1/9th Bn King’s. 04 Aug 1914 - Mar 1915. To the 1st Division.
1/10th Bn King’s. 04 Aug 1914 - Oct 1914. To the 3rd Division.
1/4th Bn South Lancashire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 3rd Division.
1/5th Bn South Lancashire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 4th Division.

After being reformed.

Battles and Engagements.

France and Flanders.

Battle of Guillemont. 3-6 Sep 1916.
Battle of Ginchy. 9 Sep 1916.
Battle of Flers-Courcelette. 15-22 Sep 1916, including the capture of Martinpuich.
Battle of Morval. 25-28 Sep 1916, including the capture of Combles, Lesboeufs and Gueudecourt.

Battle of Pilkem. 31 Jul-2 Aug 1917.
Battle of the Menin Road. 20-25 Sep 1917.
The tank attack. 20-21 Nov 1917.
Capture of Bourlon Wood. 23-28 Nov 1917.
German counter attacks. 30 Nov-3 Dec 1917.

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.
The pursuit to the Selle. 9-12 Oct 1918.

Infantry Units

164th Brigade.

1/4th Bn King’s Own. 07 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/8th Bn King’s. 07 Jan 1916 - 31 Jan 1918. To the 57th Division.
2/5th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 07 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/4th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt. 07 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

165th Brigade.

1/5th Bn King’s. 07 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/6th Bn King’s. 26 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/7th Bn King’s. 07 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/9th Bn King’s. 07 Jan 1916 - 01 Feb 1918. To the 57th Division.

166th Brigade.

1/5th Bn King’s Own. 08 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/10th Bn King’s. 08 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/5th Bn South Lancashire Regt. 06 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/5th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt. 08 Jan 1916 - 04 Feb 1918. To the 57th Division.

Pioneers.

1/4th Bn South Lancashire Regt. 09 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

Attached Troops.

2/10th Bn King’s. 20 Apr 1918 - 30 Apr 1918. Absorbed by the 1/10th Bn.

 

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