7th (MEERUT) DIVISION

British units only.

A Regular Division of the Indian Army. Arrived in France in October 1914. Served in France and Flanders until December 1915 when the Division went to Mesopotamia here the Division remained until December 1917 when it went to Egypt. The Division served in Egypt and then Palestine until the Armistice (31 October 1918). When the Division went overseas its garrison duties were taken over by the 7th Meerut divisional area.

 

Battles and Engagements.

France and Flanders.

Battle of La Bassee. 10 Oct-2 Nov 1914.
Defence of Festubert. 23-24 Nov 1914.
Defence of Givenchy. 20-21 Dec 1914.

Battle of Neuve Chappelle. 10-13 Mar 1915.
Battle of Aubers. 9 May 1915, including the attack on Fromelles and the attack at Rue du Bois.
Battle of Festubert. 15-25 May 1915.
Battle of Loos. 25 Sep-8 Oct 1915.
Action of Pietre. 25 Sep 1915.

Mesopotamia.

Action of Shaikh Saad. 6-8 Jan 1916.
Action of the Wadi. 13 Jan 1916.
First action on the Hanna. 21 Jan 1916.
Attack on the Dujaila Redoubt. 8 Mar 1916.
First attack on Sannaiyat. 6 Apr 1916.
Second attack on Sannaiyat. 9 Apr 1916.
Third attack on Sannaiyat. 22 Apr 1916.

Capture of Sannaiyat. 17-24 Feb 1917.
Operations on the Tigris right bank. 9-10 Mar 1917.
Occupation of Baghdad. 11 Mar 1917.
Actions of Mushahida. 14 Mar 1917.
Action of Istabulat. 21-22 Apr 1917.
Occupation of Samarra. 24 Apr 1917.

Palestine.

Battle of Sharon. 19-23 Sep 1918.

Infantry Units

19th (Dehra Dun) Brigade.

1st Bn Welsh Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - Nov 1914. To the 28th (British) Division.
1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders. 04 Aug 1914 - 31 Oct 1918.
1/4th Bn Seaforth Highlanders. 18 Dec 1914 - Nov 1915. To the 46th (British) Division.
Composite Highland Bn. 04 Feb 1916 - 12 Jul 1916. Reformed original Battalions. Formed by the amalgamation of the 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders and the 2nd Bn Black Watch.

20th (Garhwal) Brigade. (Left the Division in Dec 1915 and served as an independent Brigade.)

2nd Bn Leicestershire Regt. Sep 1914 - Nov 1915. To the 28th Brigade (in Egypt).
1/3rd Bn London Regt. 17 Feb 1915 - 04 Nov 1915. To the 46th (British) Division.

21st (Bareilly) Brigade.

1/4th Bn Suffolk Regt. 31 Jan 1915 - Mar 1915. To the 3rd Division.
2nd Bn Leicestershire Regt. 04 Aug 1914 - Sep 1914. To the 20th Brigade.
2nd Bn Black Watch. 04 Aug 1914 - 31 Oct 1918. Formed the Composite Highland Bn from 04 Feb 1916 - 12 Jul 1916 with the 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders in the 19th Brigade.
1/4th Bn Black Watch. 04 Mar 1915 - 26 Sep 1915. Absorbed by the 2nd Bn. The 1/4th Bn was reformed in Nov 1915 and went to the 46th (British) Division.
3rd Bn King’s Royal Rifle corps. 04 Aug 1914 - Oct 1914. To the 27th (British) Division.
Composite English Bn. 04 Feb 1916 - 21 Jul 1916. Known as the “Norsets” the Battalion was formed by the amalgamation of the drafts for the 2nd Bn Norfolk Regt and the 2nd Bn Dorsetshire Regt both captured while serving in the 6th Division. On 21 Jul 1916 the Composite Bn was broken up and the two Battalions were reformed. The 2nd Bn Norfolk Regt going to the 14th Division and the 2nd Bn Dorsetshire Regt going to Corps Troops.

28th Brigade. (Joined the Division in Dec 1915.)

2nd Bn Leicestershire Regt. Dec 1915 - 31 Oct 1918.
Provisional Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Jan 1916 - Jun 1916. To the L of C Troops. Formed from the drafts for the 1st Bn which was captured while serving with the 6th Division.

35th Brigade. (Left the Division in Feb 1915 and joined the 14th Division in May 1916.)

1/5th Bn Buffs. Dec 1915 - Feb 1916. Formed the Composite Territorial Bn.
Composite Territorial Bn. Feb 1916 - May 1916. To the 14th Division.