66th (2nd EAST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION

The 2nd East Lancashire Division was formed from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 42nd Division, formed in Great Britain in October/November 1914. After supplying many drafts to units overseas the

started to prepare for overseas in February 1917. Arrived in France in March 1917. The Division was reduced to Cadre in May 1918 and was reconstituted in July-September 1918. Served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

Battles and Engagements.

France and Flanders.

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

Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 Mar 1918.
Actions of the Somme crossings. 24-25 Mar 1918.
Battle of Rosieres. 26-27 Mar 1918.
Battle of Cambrai. 8-9 Oct 1918, including the capture of Villers Outreaux and Cambrai.
The pursuit to the Selle. 9-12 Oct 1918.
Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct 1918.

Infantry Units

197th (2nd Lancashire Fusilier) Brigade. (Left the Division on 20 Sep 1918 to L of C duties and was replaced by the South African Brigade which at this time had no British units serving with it.)

Prior to being reduced to Cadre.

2/5th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. Oct 1914 - 17 Apr 1915. To the 51st Division.
3/5th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. May 1915 - 14 Feb 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 2/7th, 2/8th and 19th Bns.
1/6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 19 Feb 1918 - 22 Jul 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 09 Apr 1918. Cadre to the 199th Brigade.
2/6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. Oct 1914 - 21 Jan 1918. Absorbed by the 1/6th Bn.
2/7th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. Oct 1914 - 30 Jun 1918. Reduced to Cadre in Apr 1918. Cadre to the 25th Division.
2/8th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. Oct 1914 - 31 Jul 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 22 Apr 1918. Cadre disbanded, personnel to the 1/8th Bn.

Attached to the Brigade after it had been reduced to Cadre.

Cadre 7th Bn Bedfordshire Regt. 19 Jun 918 - 31 Jul 1918. Absorbed by the 2nd Bn.

After being reformed.

10th Bn Black Watch. 21 Jul 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. With the Brigade to the L of C Troops.
5th Bn Connaught Rangers. 22 Jul 1918 - 25 Aug 1918. To the 199th Brigade.
6th Bn Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 21 Jul 1918 - 10 Sep 1918. To the 198th Brigade.

198th (2nd East Lancashire) Brigade.

Prior to being reduced to Cadre.

1/4th Bn East Lancashire Regt. 14 Feb 1918 - 16 Aug 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 17 Apr 1918. Cadre to the 39th Division.
2/4th Bn East Lancashire Regt. Nov 1914 - 19 Feb 1918. Absorbed by the 1/4th Bn.
2/5th Bn East Lancashire Regt. Nov 1914 - 31 Jul 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre in Apr 1918. Cadre disbanded on 31 Jul 1918, personnel to the 1/5th Bn.
1/9th Bn Manchester Regt. 19 Feb 1918 - 22 Jul 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre in Apr 1918. Cadre to the 199th Brigade.
2/9th Bn Manchester Regt. Nov 1914 - 19 Feb 1918. Absorbed by the 1/9th Bn.
2/10th Bn Manchester Regt. Nov 1914 - 15 Feb 1918. Disbanded.

After being reformed.

1/6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 22 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
5th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 19 Jul 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
9th Bn Gloucestershire Regt. 21 Jul 1918 - 22 Sep 1918. Became the Pioneer Bn.
6th Bn Leinster Regt. 20 Jul 1918 - 12 Sep 1918. Disbanded.
6th Bn Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 10 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/20th Bn London Regt. 19 Jul 1918 - 09 Aug 1918. To the 62nd Division.
2/24th Bn London Regt. 28 Jul 1918 - 10 Sep 1918. To the 58th Division.

199th (2nd Manchester) Brigade.

Prior to being reduced to Cadre.

2/5th Bn Manchester Regt. Nov 1914 - 31 Jul 1198. Reduced to Training Cadre in Apr 1918. Cadre disbanded, personnel to the 1/5th Bn.
2/6th Bn Manchester Regt. Nov 1914 - 31 Jul 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre in Apr 1918. Cadre disbanded, personnel to the 1/6th Bn.
2/7th Bn Manchester Regt. Nov 1914 - 31 Jul 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre in Apr 1918. Cadre disbanded, personnel to the 1/7th Bn.
2/8th Bn Manchester Regt. Nov 1914 - 13 Feb 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Bns.

Attached to the Brigade after it had been reduced to Cadre.

1/6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 22 Jul 1918 - 22 Sep 1918. To the 198th Brigade. The Cadre of the Battalion joined the Brigade on 22 Jul 1918 and was reconstituted on 13 Aug 1918 by absorbing the 12th Bn.

After being reformed.

18th Bn King’s. 19 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918. The Cadre of the Battalion joined the Brigade on 19 Jun 1918 and was reconstituted on 13 Aug 1918 by absorbing the 14th Bn.
1/9th Bn Manchester Regt. 22 Jul 1918 - 11 Nov 1918. The Cadre of the Battalion joined the Brigade on 22 Jul 1918 and was reconstituted on 13 Aug 1918 by absorbing the 13th Bn.
5th Bn Connaught Rangers. 25 Aug 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

Pioneers.

9th Bn Gloucestershire Regt. 22 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
10th Bn Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. 16 Jul 1917 - 07 Nov 1917. To the 2nd Division.
1/5th Bn Border Regt. 13 Feb 1918 - 07 May 1918. To the 32nd Division.

Attached Troops.

Cadre 18th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
Cadre 23rd Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
Cadre 25th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
14th Bn King’s. 23 Jul 1918 - 13 Aug 1918. Absorbed by the 18th Bn.
Cadre 17th Bn King’s. 19 Jun 1918 - 30 Jun 1918. To the 25th Division.
Cadre 19th Bn King’s. 19 Jun 1918 - 01 Aug 1918. Absorbed by the 14th Bn.
Cadre 2/5th Bn Lincolnshire Regt. 28 Jun 1918 - 31 Jul 1918. Absorbed by the 1/5th Bn.
Cadre 10th Bn Lincolnshire Regt. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
Cadre 7th Bn Suffolk Regt. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
Cadre 6th Bn Yorkshire Regt. 19 Jun 1918 - 29 Jun 1918. To the 25th Division.
12th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 22 Jul 1918 - 13 Aug 1918. Absorbed by the 1/6th Bn.
Cadre 13th Bn Gloucestershire Regt. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
Cadre 11th Bn Border Regt. 13 May 1918 - 31 Jul 1918. Absorbed by the 1/5th Bn.
Cadre 2/6th South Staffordshire Regt. 30 May 1918 - 31 Jul 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 1/6th Bn.
Cadre 11th Bn South Lancashire Regt. 19 Jun 1918 - 30 Jun 1918. To the 25th Division.
Cadre 1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters. 19 Jun 1918 - 15 Aug 1918. To the 39th Division.
Cadre 16th Bn Sherwood Foresters. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
Cadre 17th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
13th Bn Manchester Regt. 21 Jul 1918 - 13 Aug 1918. Absorbed by the 1/9th Bn.
Cadre 17th Bn Manchester Regt. 19 Jun 1918 - 30 Jul 1918. Absorbed by the 13th Bn.
Cadre 2/6th Bn North Staffordshire Regt. 07 Jun 1918 - 31 Jul 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 1/6th Bn.
Cadre 14th Bn Highland Light Infantry. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).
5th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers. 23 Jul 1918 - 24 Aug 1918. To the 16th Division.
Cadre 16th Bn Rifle Brigade. 16 Aug 1918 - 20 Sep 1918. To the L of C Troops (197th Brigade).

 

Back to Divisions Page