61st (2nd South Midland) Division

The 2nd South Midland Division was formed from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 48th Division, it was formed in Great Britain in January 1915. Many men volunteered for overseas duties and were drafted to units overseas. The Division started to prepare for overseas service in February 1916. Arrived in France in May 1916. Served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

Battles and Engagements
France and Flanders

Attack on Fromelles. 19 Jul 1916.

 

  

German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. 14 Mar-5 Apr 1917.
Battle of Langemarck. 16-18 Aug 1917.
Local operations around St. Julian. 19, 22, 27 Aug 1917.
German counter attacks. 30 Nov-3 Dec 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 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.
Battle of Bethune. 18 Apr 1918, including the second defence of Givenchy.
Advance in Flanders. 18 Aug-6 Sep 1918.
The final advance to Artois. 2 Oct-11 Nov 1918, including the capture of Douai.
Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct 1918.
Battle of Valenciennes. 1-2 Nov 1918, including the capture of Mont Houy.

 

    

 

Infantry Units

 

182nd (2nd Warwickshire) Brigade.

2/5th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt. Feb 1915 - 20 Feb 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 2/6th Bn.
2/6th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt. Feb 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/7th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt. Feb 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/8th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt. Feb 1915 - 20 Feb 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 2/7th Bn.
2/8th Bn Worcestershire Regt. 11 Feb 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

  

183rd (2nd Gloucester and Worcester) Brigade.

1/9th Bn Royal Scots. 06 Feb 1918 - 01 Jun 1918. To the 15th Division.
9th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 26 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
11th Bn Suffolk Regt. 26 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/4th Bn Gloucestershire Regt. Jan 1915 - 20 Feb 1918. Disbanded.
2/6th Bn Gloucestershire Regt. Jan 1915 - 20 Feb 1918. Disbanded.
2/7th Bn Worcestershire Regt. Jan 1915 - 06 Feb 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 2/8th and 10th Bns.
2/8th Bn Worcestershire Regt. Jan 1915 - 11 Feb 1918. To the 182nd Brigade.
1st Bn East Lancashire Regt. 26 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/5th Bn Gordon Highlanders. 02 Feb 1918 - 01 Jun 1918. To the 15th Division.
1/8th Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. 07 Feb 1918 - 01 Jun 1918. To the 15th Division.

 

184th (2nd South Midland) Brigade.

2/5th Bn Gloucestershire Regt. Feb 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/4th Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Jan 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/1st Buckinghamshire Bn (Oxs and Bucks LI). Jan 1915 - 22 Feb 1918. Disbanded.
2/4th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt. Feb 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

  

Pioneers.

1/5th Bn Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. 17 Apr 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

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