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The '''23rd Division''' was an [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[British Army]] raised in 1914 in the [[World War I|Great War]] as part of [[Kitchener's Army]]. The division was sent to France in August 1915 under the command of [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] [[Knight|Sir]] [[James Melville Babington]] [[Companion of the Bath|C.B.]] [[Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George|C.M.G.]]. During the war the division fought on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] until October 1917 when it moved to [[Italy]].
The '''23rd Division''' was an [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[British Army]] raised in 1914 in the [[World War I|Great War]] as part of [[Kitchener's Army]]. The division was sent to France in August 1915 under the command of [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] [[Knight|Sir]] [[James Melville Babington]] [[Companion of the Bath|C.B.]] [[Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George|C.M.G.]]. During the war the division fought on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] until October 1917 when it moved to the [[Italian Front (World War I)|Italian Front]].


== Unit History ==
== Unit History ==

===1914–1915===
===1914–1915===
The division formed part of Kitchener's third [[New Army]], with concentration of units beginning on 16 September, the 68th Brigade at Bullswater and the 69th and 70th Brigades, together with Royal Engineer companies at Frensham.<ref>Sandilands p. 6</ref> It was commanded by Maj. Gen. James Melville Babington, who was at first hampered by a lack of clerks, a means of communicating orders, other than verbally and cooks. Together with other New Army divisions, uniforms of any description were not received until mid October, by which time many of the civilian clothes the men wore were reduced to rags.<ref>Sandilands p. 7</ref> Division artillery began to be formed in early November. Initial weapons training was carried out with small numbers of [[Lee-Metford]] rifles and [[De Bange 90mm cannon|French 90mm guns]].<ref>Sandilands pp. 9, 12</ref> The division was concentrated at Aldershot in January 1915, where the division train was formed. Khaki uniforms were received at the end of February and the division moved to the Shorncliffe area in March and continued training.<ref>Sandilands p. 14</ref> In May the division moved to Borden where [[Ordnance QF 18-pounder|18 pounders]] and 4.5 inch howitzers were issued to the division artillery and in June the Infantry received its rifles.<ref>Sandilands pp. 16–17</ref> On 16 August the division was inspected by the [[King George V|King]] and next day received its orders for embarkation.<ref>Sandilands p. 18</ref>
The division formed part of Kitchener's third [[Kitchener's Army|New Army]], with concentration of units beginning on 16 September, the [[68th Brigade (United Kingdom)|68th Brigade]] at Bullswater and the [[69th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|69th]] and [[70th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|70th]] brigades, together with Royal Engineer companies at Frensham.<ref>Sandilands p. 6</ref> It was commanded by Maj. Gen. James Melville Babington, who was at first hampered by a lack of clerks, a means of communicating orders, other than verbally and cooks. Together with other New Army divisions, uniforms of any description were not received until mid October, by which time many of the civilian clothes the men wore were reduced to rags.<ref>Sandilands p. 7</ref> Division artillery began to be formed in early November. Initial weapons training was carried out with small numbers of [[Lee-Metford]] rifles and [[De Bange 90mm cannon|French 90mm guns]].<ref>Sandilands pp. 9, 12</ref> The division was concentrated at Aldershot in January 1915, where the division train was formed. Khaki uniforms were received at the end of February and the division moved to the Shorncliffe area in March and continued training.<ref>Sandilands p. 14</ref> In May the division moved to Borden where [[Ordnance QF 18-pounder|18 pounders]] and 4.5 inch howitzers were issued to the division artillery and in June the Infantry received its rifles.<ref>Sandilands pp. 16–17</ref> On 16 August the division was inspected by the [[King George V|King]] and next day received its orders for embarkation.<ref>Sandilands p. 18</ref>


== Order of Battle ==
== Order of Battle ==
The following units served in the Division.{{sfn|Sandilands|1925|pp=349–351}}
The following units served in the Division.{{sfn|Sandilands|1925|pp=349–351}}
; [[68th Brigade (United Kingdom)|68th Brigade]] :
; '''[[68th Brigade (United Kingdom)|68th Brigade]]''':
* [[List of Northumberland Fusiliers battalions in World War I#10|10th (Service) Battalion]], [[Northumberland Fusiliers]]
* [[List of Northumberland Fusiliers battalions in World War I#10|10th (Service) Battalion]], [[Royal Northumberland Fusiliers|Northumberland Fusiliers]]
* [[List of Northumberland Fusiliers battalions in World War I#11|11th (Service) Battalion]], Northumberland Fusiliers
* [[List of Northumberland Fusiliers battalions in World War I#11|11th (Service) Battalion]], Northumberland Fusiliers
* 12th (Service) Battalion, [[Durham Light Infantry]]
* 12th (Service) Battalion, [[Durham Light Infantry]]
* 13th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (''until September 1918'')
* 13th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (''until September 1918'')


; [[69th Brigade (United Kingdom)|69th Brigade]] :
; '''[[69th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|69th Brigade]]'' :
* 11th (Service) Battalion, [[Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)]]
* 11th (Service) Battalion, [[West Yorkshire Regiment|Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)]]
* 8th (Service) Battalion, [[Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment)]]
* 8th (Service) Battalion, [[Green Howards|Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment)]]
* 9th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment) (''until September 1918'')
* 9th (Service) Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment) (''until September 1918'')
* 10th (Service) Battalion, [[Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)]]
* 10th (Service) Battalion, [[Duke of Wellington's Regiment|Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)]]

; [[70th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|70th Brigade]] :


Between October 1915 and July 1916 the brigade transferred to the [[8th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|8th Infantry Division]], swapping with the 24th Brigade.
; '''[[70th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|70th Brigade]]''' :
Between October 1915 and July 1916 the brigade transferred to the [[8th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|8th Division]], swapping with the [[24th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|24th Brigade]].
* 11th (Service) Battalion, [[Sherwood Foresters]] (''until September 1918'')
* 11th (Service) Battalion, [[Sherwood Foresters]] (''until September 1918'')
* 8th (Service) Battalion, [[King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry]]
* 8th (Service) Battalion, [[King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry]]
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* 1/8th Battalion, [[Middlesex Regiment]] (''from October 1915 until February 1916'')
* 1/8th Battalion, [[Middlesex Regiment]] (''from October 1915 until February 1916'')


; [[British 24th Infantry Brigade (Guards)|24th Brigade]]:
; [[24th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|24th Brigade]]:


Between October 1915 and July 1916 the brigade joined from the [[British 8th Infantry Division|British 8th Division]], replacing the 70th Brigade.
Between October 1915 and July 1916 the brigade joined from the 8th Division, replacing the 70th Brigade.


; Machine Gunners :
; Machine Gunners :
Line 99: Line 97:


== Battles ==
== Battles ==
* [[Battle of the Somme (1916)|Battle of the Somme]]
* [[Battle of the Somme]]
** [[Battle of Albert (1916)|Battle of Albert]]
** [[Battle of Albert (1916)|Battle of Albert]]
** [[Battle of Bazentin Ridge]]
** [[Battle of Bazentin Ridge]]
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** [[Battle of Le Transloy]]
** [[Battle of Le Transloy]]
* [[Battle of Messines (1917)|Battle of Messines]]
* [[Battle of Messines (1917)|Battle of Messines]]
* [[Third Battle of Ypres]]
* [[Battle of Passchendaele|Third Battle of Ypres]]
* [[Battle of the Piave River|Battle of the Asiago Plateau]] (15-16 June 1918)
* [[Battle of the Piave River|Battle of the Asiago Plateau]] (15-16 June 1918)
* [[Battle of Vittorio Veneto]]
* [[Battle of Vittorio Veneto]]
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{{British Army Divisions}}
{{British Army Divisions}}

[[Category:Infantry divisions of the British Army in World War I|23]]
[[Category:Infantry divisions of the British Army in World War I|23]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1914]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1914]]

Revision as of 12:43, 21 January 2015

For the equivalent formation in World War II, see 23rd (Northumbrian) Division.
23rd Division
ActiveWorld War I
September 1914 – March 1919
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchNew Army
TypeInfantry
EngagementsBattle of the Somme
Battle of Albert
Battle of Bazentin Ridge
Battle of Pozières
Battle of Flers–Courcelette
Battle of Morval
Battle of Le Transloy
Battle of Messines
Third Battle of Ypres
Battle of Vittorio Veneto

The 23rd Division was an infantry division of the British Army raised in 1914 in the Great War as part of Kitchener's Army. The division was sent to France in August 1915 under the command of Major-General Sir James Melville Babington C.B. C.M.G.. During the war the division fought on the Western Front until October 1917 when it moved to the Italian Front.

Unit History

1914–1915

The division formed part of Kitchener's third New Army, with concentration of units beginning on 16 September, the 68th Brigade at Bullswater and the 69th and 70th brigades, together with Royal Engineer companies at Frensham.[1] It was commanded by Maj. Gen. James Melville Babington, who was at first hampered by a lack of clerks, a means of communicating orders, other than verbally and cooks. Together with other New Army divisions, uniforms of any description were not received until mid October, by which time many of the civilian clothes the men wore were reduced to rags.[2] Division artillery began to be formed in early November. Initial weapons training was carried out with small numbers of Lee-Metford rifles and French 90mm guns.[3] The division was concentrated at Aldershot in January 1915, where the division train was formed. Khaki uniforms were received at the end of February and the division moved to the Shorncliffe area in March and continued training.[4] In May the division moved to Borden where 18 pounders and 4.5 inch howitzers were issued to the division artillery and in June the Infantry received its rifles.[5] On 16 August the division was inspected by the King and next day received its orders for embarkation.[6]

Order of Battle

The following units served in the Division.[7]

68th Brigade
'69th Brigade
70th Brigade

Between October 1915 and July 1916 the brigade transferred to the 8th Division, swapping with the 24th Brigade.

24th Brigade

Between October 1915 and July 1916 the brigade joined from the 8th Division, replacing the 70th Brigade.

Machine Gunners
  • 68th Machine Gun Company (from 3 March 1916)
  • 70th Machine Gun Company (from 3 March 1916)
  • 71st Machine Gun Company (from 15 July 1916)
  • 194th Machine Gun Company (from 16 December 1916)

Reorganised into the 23rd Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps in April 1918.

Pioneers
Artillery
  • 102nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
  • 103rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
  • 104th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (left February 1917)
  • 105th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (broken up 3 September 1916)
  • X/23 Trench Mortar Battery (joined from Corps early 1916)
  • Y/23 Trench Mortar Battery (joined from Corps early 1916)
  • Z/23 Trench Mortar Battery (formed from Division artillery March 1916, disbanded September 1917)
  • V/23 Trench Mortar Battery (formed from Division artillery March 1916, broken up March 1918)
Engineers
  • 101st Field Company, R.E.
  • 102nd Field Company, R.E.
  • 128th Field Company, R.E.
Medical
  • 69th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.
  • 70th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.
  • 71st Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.
Division Troops
  • 23rd Divisional Ammunition Column
  • 23rd Divisional Signal Company
  • 23rd Divisional Train
    • 190th – 193rd Companies, A.S.C.
  • 35th Mobile Veterinary Section
  • 223rd Division Employment Company (formed June 1917)

Battles

Awards

Between 1915 and 1918 the officers and men of the division won the following:[8]

Victoria Cross 9
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath 1
Companion of the Order of the Bath 3
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George 1
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George 18
Distinguished Service Order 105 (including 16 bars)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (military) 19
Member of the Order of the British Empire 31
Military Cross 464 (including 38 bars and 2 second bars)
Distinguished Conduct Medal 279 (including 9 bars and 1 second bar)
Military Medal 1907 (including 106 bars and 3 second bars)
Meritorious Service Medal 154

The 23rd (Northumbrian) Division was a 2nd Line Territorial Army duplicate of the 1st Line 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division that was formed shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War and was disbanded in July 1940 after suffering heavy losses in the Battle of Dunkirk.

Notes

  1. ^ Sandilands p. 6
  2. ^ Sandilands p. 7
  3. ^ Sandilands pp. 9, 12
  4. ^ Sandilands p. 14
  5. ^ Sandilands pp. 16–17
  6. ^ Sandilands p. 18
  7. ^ Sandilands 1925, pp. 349–351.
  8. ^ Sandilands 1925, p. 361.

See also

References

  • Sandilands, H. R. (1925). The 23rd Division 1914–1919 (N & M Press 2003 ed.). Edinburgh: Wm. Blackwood. ISBN 1-84342-641-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
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