59th (2nd NORTH MIDLAND) DIVISION

The 2nd North Midland Division was formed from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 46th Division, it was formed in Great Britain in January 1915. Many men volunteered for service overseas and were drafted to units overseas. The Division moved to Ireland in April 1916 in response to the Easter uprising. In January 1917 the Division moved back to England and prepared to go overseas. Arrived in France in February 1917. The Division was reduced to Cadre in May 1918 and was reconstituted in June 1918 with Battalions of a low grade. The Division served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

Battles and Engagements.

France and Flanders.

German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. 14 Mar-5 Apr 1917.
Battle of the Menin Road. 20-25 Sep 1917.
Battle of Polygon Wood. 26 Sep-3 Oct 1917.
German counter attacks. 30 Nov-3 Dec 1917.

Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 Mar 1918.
First Battle of Bapaume. 24-25 Mar 1918.
Battle of Bailleul. 13-15 Apr 1918, including the defence of Neuve Eglise.
First Battle of Kemmel. 17-19 Apr 1918.
Battle of Albert. 21-23 Aug 1918, including the capture of Chuignes.
Advance in Flanders. 18 Aug-6 Sep 1918.

Infantry Units

176th (2nd Staffordshire) Brigade.

Prior to being reduced to Cadre.

23rd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 25 May 1918 - 19 Jun 1918. To the 40th Division.
2/5th Bn South Staffordshire Regt. Jan 1915 - 31 Jan 1918. Disbanded.
2/6th Bn South Staffordshire Regt. Jan 1915 - 09 May 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 09 May 1918. Cadre to the 66th Division.
1/5th Bn North Staffordshire Regt. 30 Jan 1918 - 09 May 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 09 May 1918. Cadre to the 16th Division.
2/5th Bn North Staffordshire Regt. Jan 1915 - 30 Jan 1918. Absorbed by the 1/5th Bn.
2/6th Bn North Staffordshire Regt. Jan 1915 - 07 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 09 May 1918. Cadre to the 66th Division.

After being reformed.

25th Bn King’s. 16 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
26th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 16 Jul 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
4th Garrison Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 16 May 1918 - 16 Jul 1918. Became the 26th Bn.
17th Bn Royal Sussex Regt. 26 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

177th (2nd Lincolnshire and Leicestershire) Brigade.

Prior to being reduced to Cadre.

25th Bn King’s. 12 May 1918 - 16 Jun 1918. To the 176th Brigade.
1/4th Bn Lincolnshire Regt. 31 Jan 1918 - 02 Jun 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 08 May 1918. Cadre to the 16th Division.
2/4th Bn Lincolnshire Regt. Jul 1915 - 31 Jan 1918. Absorbed by the 1/4th Bn.
2/5th Bn Lincolnshire Regt. Jul 1915 - 29 May 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 08 May 1918. Cadre to the 30th Division.
2/4th Bn Leicestershire Regt. Jan 1915 - 18 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 08 May 1918. Cadre to the 16th Division.
2/5th Bn Leicestershire Regt. Jan 1915 - 31 Jan 1918. Disbanded.

After being reformed.

11th Bn Somerset Light Infantry. 12 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
15th Bn Essex Regt. 12 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
13th Bn Duke of Wellington's Regt. 25 May 1918 - 16 Jun 1918. To the 178th Brigade.
25th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps. 22 May 1918 - 16 Jun 1918. Became the Pioneer Bn.
2/6th Bn Durham Light Infantry. 10 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

178th (2nd Notts and Derby) Brigade.

Prior to being reduced to Cadre.

2nd Garrison Bn Royal Irish Regt. April 1918 - 25 May 1918. Became the 8th Bn.
8th Bn Royal Irish Regt. 25 May 1918 - 20 Jun 1918. To the 40th Division.
23rd Bn Cheshire Regt. 21 May 1918 - 19 Jun 1918. To the 40th Division.
2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters. Jan 1915 - 02 Jun 918. Reduced to Cadre on 07 May 1918. Cadre to the 16th Division.
2/6th Bn Sherwood Foresters. 03 Feb 1915 - 07 May 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 07 May 1918. Cadre to the L of C Troops.
1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters. 31 Jan 1918 - 29 May 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 07 May 1918. Cadre to the 30th Division.
2/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters. Jan 1915 - 06 Feb 1918. Absorbed by the 1/7th Bn.
2/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters. Jan 1915 - 06 Jan 1918. Disbanded.

After being reformed.

36th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
11th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers. 12 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
13th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. 16 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

Pioneers.

6/7th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers. 21 Feb 1918 - 18 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 10 May 1918. Cadre to the 16th Division.
25th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps. 16 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

Attached Troops.

25th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps. May 1918 - 22 May 1918. To the 177th Brigade.

 

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