50th (Northumbrian) Division
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| British 50th (Northumbrian) Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | World War I 1908 - July 1918; World War II 1940 - 1945 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Territorial Force |
| Type | Infantry |
| Engagements | Second Battle of Ypres Battle of the Somme (1916) Battle of Arras Third Battle of Ypres |
The British 50th (Northumbrian) Division was a first-line Territorial Force division. The division was sent to France in April 1915 and served on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War. The division suffered heavily during the Second Battle of the Aisne in May–June 1918 and underwent a reorganisation in July 1918.
For the division's formation and operations in World War II, see British 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division.
Contents |
[edit] Formation
Under the Army reforms of 1908, the Territorial Army was formed and organised into regional Divisions, area Brigades and local Battalions. There were 14 Territorial Divisions when war broke out in 1914. A Division (Divn) was in effect a self-contained army of approximately 18000 men including infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineer, medical, supply and signal units. The Northumberland Divn was typical, consisting of three infantry brigades (Bde), namely the 'Northumbrian', 'York and Durham' and 'Durham Light Infantry (DLI)' Bdes. Each Bde was composed of four infantry battalions (Bn). The Northumbrian Infantry Bde was composed of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Bns of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Northumbrian (Territorial) Division
HQ - Richmond (Yorkshire)
GOC - Major General B. Burton
1914
Infantry composed of 12 battalions organised into 3 Brigades:
[edit] 149th (Northumberland) Brigade
Until July 1918:
- 1/4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (to 150 Bde)
- 1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
- 1/6th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
- 1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (transferred to 42nd Division as a Pioneer Battalion, February 1918)
- 1/5th (Cumberland) Battalion, The Border Regiment (from May 1915 to 151 Bde December 1915)
From July 1918:
- 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
- 13th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Black Watch
[edit] 150th (York and Durham) Brigade
Until July 1918:
- 1/4th Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment
- 1/4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
- 1/5th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
- 1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (to 151 Bde February 1918)
From July 1918:
- 1/4th Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment (until August 1918)
- 1/4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (from 149 Bde)
- 1/7th (Service) Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers
[edit] 151st (Durham Light Infantry) Brigade
Until February 1918:
- 1/6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
- 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (to pioneers November 1915)
- 1/8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
- 1/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
- 1/5th (Cumberland) Battalion, The Border Regiment (from 149 Bde December 1915)
- 1/5th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (from June 1915 until December 1915)
From February to July 1918:
- 1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (from 150 Bde February 1918 until July 1918)
From July 1918:
- 6th (Service) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
- 1st Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
- 4th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
[edit] Pioneers
- 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (until June 1918)
[edit] Cavalry
Comprised only of 'A' Sqn from the Yorkshire Mounted Bde. 'A' Squadron Yorkshire Hussars
[edit] Engineers
Composed of the 1st and 2nd Northumbrian Field Coys and 50th Division Signal Company (Royal Engineers):
The 1st Northumbrian Field Company. HQ - Newcastle
The 2nd Northumbrian Field Company. HQ - Newcastle
[edit] Signals
The 50th Division Signal Company
[edit] Artillery
Composed of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Northumbrian Bdes (Royal Field Artillery) and the Northumbrian Heavy Battery (Royal Garrison Artillery).
Royal Field Artillery
The 1st Northumbrian Bde was composed of: The 1st Northumberland Battery
The 2nd Northumberland Battery
The 3rd Northumberland Battery
The 1st Northumbrian Ammunition Column. HQ - Newcastle
The 2nd Northumbrian Bde was composed of: The 1st East Riding Battery
The 2nd East Riding Battery
The 3rd East Riding Battery
The 2nd Northumbrian Ammunition Column. HQ - Hull
The 3rd Northumbrian (County of Durham) Bde was composed of:
The 1st Durham Battery. HQ - Seaham Harbour
The 2nd Durham Battery. HQ - Durham
The 3rd Durham Battery. HQ - West Hartlepool
The 3rd Northumbrian (County of Durham) Ammunition Column. HQ - Seaham Harbour
The 4th Northumbrian (County of Durham) Howitzer Bde was composed of:
The 4th Durham (Howitzer) Battery. HQ - South Shields
The 5th Durham (Howitzer) Battery. HQ - Hebburn on Tyne
The 4th Northumbran (County of Durham) Ammunition Column. HQ - South Shields Royal Garrison Artillery
The Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Bty. HQ - Middlesborough
[edit] Transport & Supply
was composed of the 50th Divisional Train (Army Service Corps):
The 50th Divisional Train was composed of 467, 468, 469 and 470 Coys:
467 Company. HQ - Gateshead 468 Company. HQ - Newcastle
469 Company. HQ - Hull
470 Company. HQ - Sunderland
Joined by 336 (Motor Transport) Company
[edit] Medical
was composed of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Northumberland Field Ambulances (Royal Army Medical Corps):
The 1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance. HQ - Newcastle
The 2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance. HQ - Darlington
The 3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance. HQ - Hull
