- 48th (South Midland) Division during the Great War -
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About
48th (South Midland) Division
The 48th (South Midland) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed as the South Midland Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.1914
The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by mid August 1914.
On 13th of March the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service and entrainment began a week later. Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades went via Folkestone-Boulogne while all other units went from Southampton to Le Havre. By 3 April the Division had concentrated near Cassel. The Division then remained in France and Flanders until late 1917 and took part in the following engagements:
1916
- The Battle of Albert - Somme
- The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme, in which the Division captured Ovillers
- The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme
- The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme
- The Battle of the Ancre - Somme
1917
- The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, in which the Division occupied Peronne
- The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of the Ypres
- The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of the Ypres
- The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of the Ypres
- The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of the Ypres
Divisional HQ received orders on 10th of November for a move to Italy. Entrainment began on 21st of November and all units had detrained around Legnano (Adige) by 1 December. The Division them moved north to the area allotted to XI Corps.
1918
The Division relieved 7th Division to hold the front line sector at the Montello between 1st and 16th of March. It then moved west, to the Asiago sector. The Division took part in:
- The fighting on the Asiago Plateau
- The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto, in the Val d'Assa rather than the Vittoria Veneto itself.
The Division had the distinction on 3 November of surrounding and capturing the commander of the Austrian III Corps (General von Ritter-Romer), three Divisional commanders and about 14 battalions. By the Armitice (which here was at 1500 on 4 November), the Division had pushed forward into the Trentino and was eight miles NW of Levico. In so doing the Warwickshire Brigade also took the distinction of being the first British formation to enter into what had been European enemy "home ground" before the war. By 10 November the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza; by five days later it was at Trissino. The demobilisation of the Division began in early 1919 and the service of the Division came to an end on 31 March when the final cadres left for England.
The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.
Order of Battle of the 48th (South Midland) Division
143rd (Warwickshire) Brigade
- 1/5th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
- 1/6th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
- 1/7th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
- 1/8th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment left September 1918
- 143rd Machine Gun Company formed 8 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
- 143rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916
144th (Gloucester & Worcester) Brigade
- 1/4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
- 1/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
- 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
- 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment left September 1918
- 144th Machine Gun Company formed 23 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
- 144th Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916
145th (South Midland) Brigade
- 1/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment left September 1918
- 1/4th Battalion, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
- 1/1st Bucks Battalion, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
- 1/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment
- 145th Machine Gun Company formed 11 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
- 145th Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916
Divisional Troops
- 1/5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneers August 1915
- 251st Machine Gun Company joined 16 Nov 1917, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
- 48th Battalion MGC formed 22 March 1918
Divisional Mounted Troops
- B Sqn, 1st King Edward's Horse joined April 1915, left June 1916
- South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company left 14 May 1916
Divisional Artillery
- CCXL (I South Midland) Brigade, RFA
- CCXLI (II South Midland) Brigade, RFA
- CCXLII (III South Midland) Brigade, RFA left to become Army Brigade 20 January 1917
- CCXLIII (IV S.M.) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up October 1916 South Midland (Warwicks) Heavy Battery, RGA left 16 April 1915
- 48th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
- V.48 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 21 April 1916; disbanded 10 November 1917
- X.48, Y.48 and Z.48 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 15 March 1916; on 21 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each
Royal Engineers
- 474th (1st South Midland) Field Company left December 1914, rejoined May 1915
- 475th (2nd South Midland) Field Company
- 7th Field Company joined April 1915, left June 1915
- 419th (1st West Lancashire) Field Company attached 18-28 April 1915
- 476th (2/1st South Midland) Field Company joined June 1915
- 48th Divisional Signal Company
Royal Army Medical Corps
- 1st South Midland Field Ambulance
- 2nd South Midland Ambulance
- 3rd South Midland Field Ambulance
- 48th Sanitary Section formed 21 February 1915, left for III Corps 4 April 1917
Other Divisional Troops
- 48th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the South Midland Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 459, 460, 461 and 462 Companies ASC
- 1st South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
- 48th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 4 April 1916
- 242nd Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917
7th Sep 1914 Training
8th Sep 1914 Inspection
14th Sep 1914 Course
15th Feb 1916 Sport
26th of March 1915 Enemy Guns Active
27th of March 1915 German Air Activity
28th of March 1915 German Guns Active
30th of March 1915 Hostile MG Damaged?
31st of March 1915 Orders Issued
2nd Apr 1915 Inspection
4th Apr 1915 On the March
5th of April 1915 Quiet Day
7th Apr 1915 On the March
7th Apr 1915 On the March
7th of April 1915 Mostly Quiet
8th Apr 1915 Instruction
8th Apr 1915 Instruction
9th Apr 1915 Instruction
9th Apr 1915 Instruction
10th Apr 1915 Instruction
11th Apr 1915 Instruction
12th Apr 1915 On the March
12th Apr 1915 On the March
15th Apr 1915 Reliefs
16th Apr 1915 In the Trenches
17th Apr 1915 Reliefs
17th Apr 1915 Reliefs
18th Apr 1915 Orders
18th Apr 1915 In Billets
19th Apr 1915 Orders
19th Apr 1915 Reliefs
20th Apr 1915 Holding the Line
21st Apr 1915 Holding the Line
22nd Apr 1915 Holding the Line
23rd Apr 1915 Reliefs
23rd Apr 1915 Reliefs
24th Apr 1915 Quiet
24th Apr 1915 In Billets
25th Apr 1915 In Billets
26th Apr 1915 In Billets
27th Apr 1915 Reliefs
27th Apr 1915 Reliefs
28th Apr 1915 Reliefs
28th Apr 1915 In the Trenches
29th Apr 1915 Quiet
29th Apr 1915 In the Trenches
30th Apr 1915 In the Trenches
1st May 1915 In the Trenches
2nd May 1915 In the Trenches
5th May 1915 In the Trenches
7th May 1915 New CO
8th May 1915 Visit
9th May 1915 Artillery in Acton
10th May 1915 In the Trenches
20th May 1915 In the Trenches
24th May 1915 In the Trenches
26th May 1915 In the Trenches
29th May 1915 In the Trenches
31st May 1915 Instruction
2nd Jun 1915 In the Trenches
4th Jun 1915 In the Trenches
7th Jun 1915 Reliefs
8th Jun 1915 In Reserve
9th Jun 1915 In Reserve
9th Jun 1915 In Reserve
10th Jun 1915 In Reserve
10th Jun 1915 Reliefs
11th Jun 1915 Reliefs
12th Jun 1915 In Reserve
13th Jun 1915 In Reserve
14th Jun 1915 In Reserve
15th Jun 1915 Reliefs
15th Jun 1915 Reliefs
16th Jun 1915 Holding the Line
16th Jun 1915 In Reserve
17th Jun 1915 Holding the Line
18th Jun 1915 Holding the Line
19th of June 1915
19th Jun 1915 Reliefs
19th Jun 1915 On the Move
20th Jun 1915 In Reserve
21st Jun 1915 In Reserve
22nd Jun 1915 In Reserve
23rd Jun 1915 In Reserve
23rd Jun 1915 Reliefs
24th Jun 1915 Reliefs
25th Jun 1915 Reliefs
26th Jun 1915 Reliefs
27th Jun 1915 On the March
27th Jun 1915 On the March
28th Jun 1915 In Billets
28th Jun 1915 On the March
29th June 1915 Formation Changes Up to this date the 47th (London) Division, in which the 6th London Brigade is included formed part of the 1st Army Corps, commanded by Lt General Sir Charles Munro. From this date the 47th (London) Division, the 1st Division and 48th (South Midland) Division, form the 4th Army Corps, commanded by Lt General Rawlinson. The 4th Corps is still part of the First Army, commanded by General Sir Douglas Haig. 6th London Brigade RFA Report Major P.J. Clifton proceeded to England on 5 days leave. The 15th & 16th Batteries are attached to the 1st Division.War Diaries
29th Jun 1915 In Billets
29th Jun 1915 On the March
29th Jun 1915 On the March
30th Jun 1915 In Billets
30th Jun 1915 Wet Weather
1st Jul 1915 Training
2nd Jul 1915 Training
3rd Jul 1915 Training
8th Jul 1915 Inspection
9th Jul 1915 Recce
10th Jul 1915 Sports
11th July 1915 In Brigade Reserve in S. Maroc.
11th Jul 1915 Sports
12th Jul 1915 On the March
13th Jul 1915 In Bivouac
14th Jul 1915 Working Parties
15th Jul 1915 Working Party
16th Jul 1915 Dugouts
17th Jul 1915 In Billets
18th Jul 1915 On the Move
19th Jul 1915 On the March
20th Jul 1915 On the March
21st Jul 1915 In Billets
22nd Jul 1915 Reliefs
23rd Jul 1915 In Billets
24th Jul 1915 Reliefs
25th Jul 1915 Retaliation
26th Jul 1915 Holding the Line
27th Jul 1915 Orders
28th Jul 1915 Shelling
29th Jul 1915 Enemy Aircraft
30th Jul 1915 In Billets
31st Jul 1915 In Billets
1st Aug 1915 Church Parade
2nd Aug 1915 Thunder Storms
3rd Aug 1915 Route March
4th Aug 1915 Route March
5th Aug 1915 Reliefs
6th Aug 1915 Wet Weather
7th Aug 1915 Trench Work
8th Aug 1915 Trench Work
9th Aug 1915 Thunder Storm
10th Aug 1915 Dugouts
11th Aug 1915 Artillery in Action
12th Aug 1915 Comforts and War Correspondants
13th Aug 1915 Reliefs
14th Aug 1915 Working Parties
15th Aug 1915 Working Parties
16th Aug 1915 Working Parties
17th August 1915 Working Parties
17th Aug 1915 Working Parties
18th Aug 1915 Heavy Rain
19th Aug 1915 Working Parties
20th Aug 1915 Training
21st Aug 1915 Reliefs
22nd Aug 1915 Patrol
23rd Aug 1915 Patrol
24th Aug 1915 Shelling
25th Aug 1915 Patrol
26th Aug 1915 Reorganisation
27th Aug 1915 Instruction
27th Aug 1915 Hot Day
27th August 1915 Attached to 145th Brigade
28th Aug 1915 Instruction
28th Aug 1915 Some Shelling
29th Aug 1915 Instruction
29th Aug 1915 Snipers Active
30th Aug 1915 Shelling
30th Aug 1915 Artillery Active
31st Aug 1915 Artillery Active
1st Sep 1915 Patrol
2nd Sep 1915 Reliefs
3rd Sep 1915 Snipers Active
11th of September 1915 Moves
17th of September 1915 Advance Units Arrive
9th of October 1915
10th of October 1915
13th of October 1915 First Casualties
18th of October 1915 Instruction
20th of October 1915 Moves
21st Oct 1915 Instruction
22nd Oct 1915 Instruction
23rd Oct 1915 Instruction
24th Oct 1915 Instruction
25th of October 1915 Royal Inspection
25th Oct 1915 Instruction
26th of October 1915 More Instruction
26th Oct 1915 Instruction
27th Oct 1915 Instruction
28th Oct 1915 Instruction
29th Oct 1915 Instruction
14th of November 1915 Trench Instruction
25th of November 1915 Orders
5th of December 1915 Leaving and Joining
14th of December 1915 Trench Mortar Batteries
1st of January 1916 Move
5th of January 1916 Under 48th Division
8th of January 1916 Moves
15th of January 1916 Divisional Transfers
27th January 1916 Working Parties
12th Feb 1916 Football Tournament
19th Feb 1916 Letter
1st Apr 1916 Football Tournament
16th of May 1916 Enemy attack
24th Jun 1916 Trench Mortars
24th Jun 1916 Artillery In Action
1st July 1916 Bombardment
10th Jul 1916 Orders
11th Jul 1916 In Billets
12th Jul 1916 Great Sucess
19th Jul 1916 Under Fire
19th Jul 1916 Gas
21st Jul 1916 The Effects of Gas
22nd Jul 1916 Working Party
27th Jul 1916 Relieved
31st Jul 1916 Difficult Conditions
31st Jul 1916 Effects of Gas
1st Sep 1916 Patrol
2nd Sep 1916 Reliefs
3rd Sep 1916 Recce
4th Sep 1916 Instruction
5th Sep 1916 Reliefs
6th Sep 1916 At Rest
10th Sep 1916 Inspection
22nd of October 1916 Signals
25th of October 1916 Situation
30th of October 1916 Orders
31st of October 1916
31st of October 1916 Orders
2nd of November 1916 Heavy Rain
2nd November 1916 Brigade reliefs
3rd of November 1916 Orders
6th of November 1916 Orders
11th of November 1916
11th Jan 1916 Football Tournament
12th of November 1916
14th of November 1916
15th of November 1916
18th of November 1916
19th of November 1916
20th of November 1916
14th December 1916 March Table
15th December 1916 45th Brigade relieved 46th Brigade, 48th Division.
23rd of December 1916
23rd of December 1916
24th of December 1916
26th of December 1916
28th of December 1916
1st of January 1917
5th Jan 1917 Orders
18th of February 1917
20th of February 1917
23rd of February 1917 Orders
24th of February 1917 Orders
15th of March 1917
5th Apr 1917 Posts Established
16th July 1917 Attack
10th August 1917 Order No.4.
13th August 1917 Ammendment to Order No.4.
15th of August 1917 Thirty Hostile Planes
16th August 1917 18th Corps. Attacked with the 48th Division
17th August 1917 1st Brigade Tank Corps. Order No.15.
17th August 1917 48th Division Order No.12.
18th August 1917 11th Division Order No.101.
18th August 1917 Tank Corps. Order No.5.
19th August 1917 Attack Made
27th Sep 1917 Instructions
29th Sep 1917 Instructions
3rd Oct 1917 Instructions
3rd Oct 1917 Instructions
3rd Oct 1917 Instructions
3rd Oct 1917 Instructions
24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation
21st Jan 1918 Course
5th Feb 1918 Course Ends
13th Feb 1918 Personnel
21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation
25th of March 1918 Battn Falls Back
Apr 1918 FootballFinal of the 48th Divisional (Fanshawe) Cup. 7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment versus 7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Trissino, April 1918.
31st December 1918 PreparationsIf you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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