59th (2nd North Midland) Division in the Great War

59th (2nd North Midland) Division

   The 59th (2nd North Midland) Division was formed as the 2nd North Midland Division, a second line territorial division. On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward. The 'first line' 46th (North Midland) Division went to France in March 1915. The units of the 'second line', the 2nd North Midland Division, remained at home for some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected
In early January 1915 the units moved and concentrated in the Luton area. Drafts began to leave for the 'first line' units in June, and their places taken by new recruits.In July 1915 the Division moved to St Albans and soon afterward the number 59 was issued and the full title became 59th (2nd North Midland Division).
1916
In April 1916 the Division was hurriedly ordered to Ireland to assist in quelling troubles that broke out in Dublin and elsewhere. Severe fighting took place in the battle against the Irish nationalist forces. The Division's first battle casualties were incurred. Once things had settled down the units moved from Dublin to the Curragh. The passing of the Military Service Act in early 1916 deemed all men to have agreed to serve overseas and thus the Division was available to be sent, once it was trained.
1917
The Division returned to England in January 1917 and was based at Fovant by the end of the month. (The 65th (2nd Lowland) Division replaced it in Ireland). Orders were received to the effect that it would soon depart for France. Advanced parties left on 2 February: they missed an inspection by King George V that took place on 13 February. The units crossed the Channel from 17 February and completed concentration at Mericourt on 3 March 1917. Reports said that the Division could not be considered properly trained (largely as it had been split up in Ireland) but it did not have any opportunity to add to its training before it was thrown into the front line south of the Somme, near Estrees. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres

The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of the Ypres
The capture of Bourlon Wood - Cambrai Operations
The German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

1918
The Battle of St Quentin - Somme (only 177th Brigade and the artillery)
The Battle of Bapaume - Somme 1918
The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
The Battle of Albert - Somme 1918
The Final advance in Artois and Flanders.
In May, the battalions of 176th Brigade left to go to Egypt. By July 1919 the Division was down to a small set of cadres and on 1 September 1919 the history of the Division came to an end.
Order of Battle of the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division
176th (2/1st Staffordshire) Brigade

2/5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
2/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 30 May 1918
2/5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment merged with 1/5th Battalion, 30 January 1918, reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
2/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 7 June 1918
174th Machine Gun Company joined 178th Brigade 28 February 1917
176th Trench Mortar Battery formed 20 January 1917, disbanded 8 May 1918, reformed 11 July 1918
6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as cadre 7-10 May 1918 and left for 176th Brigade 18 June 1918
1st Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion,joined 13 May 1918, renamed 17th Garrison Battalion, Worcestershire regiment on 25 May, left 18 June 1918
2nd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, left for 177th Brigade 22 May 1918
3rd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, left for 177th Brigade 22 May1918
4th Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, redesignated as 23rd Garrison Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers 25 May 1918, left 18 June 1918
4th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined 16 May 1918, renamed 26th Battalion, 16 July 1918
25th Garrison Guard Battalion, Kings (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 177th Brigade 16 June 1918, renamed 25th Battalion, 16 July 1918
5th Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined 13 May 1918, renamed 17th Garrison Guard Battalion, 25 May 1918 and then 17th Bn 16 July 1918

177th (2/1st Lincoln & Leicester) Brigade

2/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment merged with 1/4th Battalion, 31 January 1918, reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
2/5th Battalion,Lincolnshire Regiment reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 29 May 1918
2/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 18 June 1918
2/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
44th Machine Gun Company attached 23 February 1917 to 22 March 1917
177th Machine Gun Company joined 127 February 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
177th Trench Mortar Battery formed 20 January 1917, disbanded 8 May 1918, reformed 17 August 1918
2/6th Garrison Guard Battalion, Durham Light Infantry joined 10 May 1918, renamed 2/6th Bn 16 July 1918
11th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined 12 May 1918, renamed 11th Battalion, 16 July 1918
15th Garrison Guard Battalion, Essex Regiment joined 12 May 1918, renamed 15th Battalion, 16 July 1918
2nd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined from 176th Brigade 22 May 1918, redesignated as 25th Garrison Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps on 25 May 1918, left to become Divisional Pioneers 16 June 1918
3rd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined from 176th Brigade 22 May 1918, redesignated as 13th Garrison Battalion, Duke of Wellington's on 25 May 1918, left for 178th Brigade 16 June 1918

178th (2/1st Sherwood Forester) Brigade

2/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
2/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
2/7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters merged with 1/7th Battalion, 31 January 1918, reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, left 28 May 1918
2/8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters disbanded by 30 January 1918
174th Machine Gun Company attached 24 February 1917 to 6 March 1917
175th Machine Gun Company joined 13 March 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
178th Trench Mortar Battery
36th Garrison Guard Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers joined 12 May 1918, renamed 36th Battalion, 16 July 1918
11th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined 12 May 1918, renamed 11th Battalion, 16 July 1918
2nd Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment joined 17 May 1918, resdignated 8th Garrison Battalion, 25 May 1918, left 19 June 1918
25th Garrison Guard Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined 25 May 1918, left 19 June 1918
13th Garrison Battalion, Duke of Wellington's joined from 177th Brigade 16 June 1918, renamed 13th Battalion, on 16 July 1918

Divisional Troops

6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 21 February 1918, reduced to cadre 7-10 May 1918 and left for 176th Brigade
200th Machine Gun Company joined 18 January 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
59th Battalion MGC formed 7-8 March 1918, reduced to cadre and disappeared May 1918
25th Garrison Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 16 June 1918, retitled as 25th Battalion, 16 July 1918
200th Machine Gun Company joined 2 October 1918

Divisional Mounted Troops

2/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry left when Division moved to Ireland
2/1st North Midland Divisional Cyclist Company joined 17 March 1915, left when Division went to France
C Squadron, 2/1st Northumberland Fusiliers joined 28 March 1916, left for
XIX Corps on 26 March 1917

Divisional Artillery

CCXCV (2/I N Midland) Brigade, RFA
CCXCVI (2/II N Midland) Brigade, RFA
CCXCVII (2/III N Midland) Brigade, RFA broken up before Division moved to France
CCXCVIII (2/IV N Midland) (How) Bde, RFA leftto become Army Brigade 4 April 1917
2/1st North Midland Heavy Battery, RGA joined 5 February 1915, left and moved independently to France, arriving on 3 May 1916 and coming initially under orders of VI Corps Heavy Artillery
1/IV Home Counties (How) Bde, RFA attached 10 March to 27 June 1915
1/I Wessex Heavy Battery, RGA attached 13 March to 7 April 1915
2/I Wessex Heavy Battery, RGA attached 20 February to April 1916
59th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
V.59 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 20 January 1917, left March 1918
X.59, Y.59 and Z.59 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 20 January 1917, in February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

Royal Engineers

467th (1/3rd North Midland) Field Company
469th (2/2nd North Midland) Field Company joined 4 February 1915
470th (3/1st North Midland) Field Company joined 4 February 1915
59th Divisional Signals Company joined 4 February 1915

Royal Army Medical Corps

2/1st North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
2/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
2/3rd North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
59th Sanitary Section left for Cavalry Corps 18-19 May 1917

Other Divisional Troops

59th Divisional Train ASC 513, 514, 515 and 516 Companies ASC
59th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
250th Divisional Employment Company formed by 16 June 1917

31st Jan 1915 Orders

5th Feb 1915 Reorganisation

24th Feb 1915 Exercise

10th Mar 1915 On the Move

11th Mar 1915 Equipment

11th Apr 1915 Inspection

16th Apr 1915 In Camp

Jul 1915 Training Instruction

Jul 1915 Billets

7th Aug 1915 On the Move

13th Oct 1915 Enemy Aircraft

20th Oct 1915 On the Move

23rd Nov 1915 Equipment

13th Jan 1916 Training

Jan 1916 Instruction

13th Mar 1916 Rifles

3rd Apr 1916 Preparations

20th Apr 1916 Advance Party

25th Apr 1916 Orders

26th Apr 1916 On the Move

27th Apr 1916 Under Fire

29th Apr 1916 Search

30th Apr 1916 Line Held

1st May 1916 Houses Searched

15th Sep 1916 Exercise

19th Oct 1916 Funeral

11th of February 1917

13th Feb 1917 Inspection

25th Feb 1917 On the Move

1st of March 1917

2nd of March 1917

2nd of March 1917

3rd of March 1917

5th of March 1917

6th of March 1917

7th of March 1917

8th Mar 1917 Into the Trenches

8th of March 1917

9th Mar 1917 In Reserve

9th of March 1917

9th of March 1917

13th Mar 1917 Leicesters relieve Lincolns

15th of March 1917

21st of March 1917

31st Mar 1917 Attack Made

8th Apr 1917 New Posts

10th Apr 1917 Reliefs

12th of April 1917 Very Cold West Day

24th Apr 1917 Attack Made

9th May 1917 Awards

11th May 1917 Award

13th May 1917 Awards

19th May 1917 In Support

21st May 1917 On the Move

23rd May 1917 Digging in

29th May 1917 Defences

30th May 1917 On the March

23rd of August 1917 Moves by Rail

9th September 1917 Recce of Defences

22nd Sep 1917 Reliefs Complete

25th of September 1917 Entraining Continues

26th Sep 1917 In Action

28th of September 1917 Aftermath of battle

24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation

21st Jan 1918 Course

1st of February 1918 Defence Line Work

3rd of February 1918 Weather Fine

5th Feb 1918 Course Ends

7th of February 1918 Rainy Day

10th of February 1918 Dull Day

13th Feb 1918 Personnel

21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation

26th of February 1918 Corps Commander Visits

27th of February 1918 On the March

28th of February 1918 On the Move

2nd of March 1918 Exceptionally Quiet

22nd Mar 1918 Heavy Shelling

31st of March 1918 Relief Completed

1st Apr 1918 On the March

3rd Apr 1918 On the March

10th Apr 1918 In Reserve

11th Apr 1918 Recce

12th Apr 1918 Hold at all Costs

12th of April 1918 Enemy Advances

12th Apr 1918 Enemy Breaks Through

13th Apr 1918 Gaps in the Line

13th of April 1918 Under Heavy Attack

13th Apr 1918 Orders

14th Apr 1918 Fall Back

14th of April 1918 A Counter-Attack

14th of April 1918 At Keersebrom

14th of April 1918 Operations Orders

14th Apr 1918 Heavy Shelling

15th Apr 1918 Question of Withdrawal

15th Apr 1918 Reliefs

15th of April 1918 A Quiet Day

15th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

15th Apr 1918 Enemy Advance

15th of April 1918 34th Div in Front Line

15th Apr 1918 In Defence

16th Apr 1918 Enemy Attack

16th of April 1918 French Support Arrives

16th Apr 1918 Enemy Attacks

16th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

16th Apr 1918 Withdrawal

17th Apr 1918 Enemy Attack

17th Apr 1918 Attacks Made

17th Apr 1918 Enemy Attacks

18th Apr 1918 Plans

18th of April 1918 Relief for Some

18th Apr 1918 Orders

19th Apr 1918 Reliefs

19th Apr 1918 Reliefs

20th Apr 1918 Reorganisation

20th of April 1918 Order Alteration

21st Apr 1918 Defensive Plans

21st Apr 1918 On the March

26th of April 1918 Allied Counter-Attack

26th Apr 1918 Defence Work

27th of April 1918 Defences and Messages

27th Apr 1918 On the March

28th Apr 1918 Training

29th Apr 1918 On the March

30th of April 1918 Reliefs and Attacks

30th of April 1918 Reports

30th Apr 1918 At Rest

1st May 1918 Training

1st May 1918 On the Move

2nd May 1918 On the March

3rd May 1918 Defences

4th May 1918 Defences

5th May 1918 On the Move

6th May 1918 At Rest

7th May 1918 Reorganisation

9th May 1918 On the Move

10th May 1918 On the March

1st Jun 1918 Training

10th Jun 1918 Training

16th Jun 1918 Training

17th Jun 1918 On the March

18th Jun 1918 Training

30th of June 1918 Enemy's Heavy Response

1st Jul 1918 Training

7th of July 1918 Gas Shelling

9th Jul 1918 Orders

12th of July 1918 Back Areas Bombed

18th of July 1918 Our Guns Active

23rd Jul 1918 On the Move

24th of July 1918 Relief Completed

28th Jul 1918 Reorganisation

31st Jul 1918 Reorganisation

31st of July 1918 Relief Completed

16th Oct 1918 Orders

17th Oct 1918 Advance

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Want to know more about 59th (2nd North Midland) Division?

There are:154 items tagged 59th (2nd North Midland) Division available in our Library

These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Those known to have served with
59th (2nd North Midland) Division
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Kear Osman William Henry. Dvr. 295th Brigade, D Battery
Swallow Alfred Bailey. CSM. 470th Field Coy. (d.21st Mar 1918)

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261284

CSM. Alfred Bailey Swallow 470th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.21st Mar 1918)

470th Field Company, R.E., Alfred Swallow is 3rd row up 11 from left

Alfred Swallow was born in 1881 (April- June) at Grantham to William Swallow of Barrowby and Annie Swallow (nee Robinson) of Lincoln. At the time of the census of 1891, Alfred Bailey Swallow was age 9 years; Father William, age 50, was a wheelwright; and they were living at 16, Mile House Barrowby. Alfred Bailey Swallow married Ethel Martha Keal (born 1880 in Grantham) in 1907 (January- March) in Grantham. The union produced one child, Alfred Claud Swallow, born 1908 (July- September) in Grantham. At the time of the Census of 1911, Alfred's wife Ethel Martha Swallow, age 31, was living with their child Alfred Claud Swallow, age 3 years, and her younger brother Albert Maaman Keal, age 29, at 70, Grantley Street, Grantham. Alfred Bailey Swallow, a regular soldier, was killed in action 21st March 1918. Probate: Alfred Bailey Swallow of 46, Houghton Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, a Company Sergeant Major in the Royal Engineers, died 21st March 1918 in France, administration Lincoln 5th November 1918 to Ethel Martha Swallow effects £ 191- 10s 5d. Son of the late Frederick William and Annie Swallow, of Barrow by Mill, Grantham; husband of Ethel Martha Swallow, of 46, Houghton Rd., Grantham. In March 1977, Ethel Martha Swallow died at age 97 in Grantham. (Researchers: Roy G Stedman and C J Anderson.)
He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal; King George's Delhi Durbar Medal. Alfred is remembered on memorials at Grantham St John Spittlegate, Grantham St. Wulfrum, and Barrowby All Saints.
From the Grantham Journal, 4 May 1918: 'Mrs. Swallow, of 46 Houghton Road, Grantham, has been officially informed that her husband, Alfred Bailey Swallow, 2763, C.S.M. of a Field Company, R.E., has been missing since March 21st, and she will be glad to receive any information from his comrades concerning him. C.S.M. Swallow is the youngest son of the late Mr. W. F. Swallow, Barrowby. His friends believe he is a prisoner of war. He left Grantham as recently as March 14th after being home on fourteen days leave. He joined the Royal Engineers nineteen years ago, and has seen considerable foreign service. He was present throughout the Delhi Durbar, and received the Long Service Medal. His service in France covers two years, eight months'.
From the Grantham Journal, 11th January 1919: 'Mrs. Swallow, 46, Houghton Road, would be extremely grateful for any information concerning her husband C.S.M. A.B. Swallow, 470th Field Company, R.E, who went into action on the 21st March 1918. Since then he has not been heard of. It is supposed that he was taken prisoner. Unwounded, but no definite news can be obtained'.
From the Grantham Journal, 3rd May 1919: 'We much regret to announce that Co.-Sgt-Major Albert Bailey Swallow, 470th Field Company, R.E., reported missing on March 21st last year, has now been officially notified as dead. The youngest son of the late Mr. W. F. Swallow of Barrowby, the deceased was well known in the town, and his numerous friends will receive the sad news of his death with much sympathy. C.S.M. Swallow was a soldier by profession, and by conduct he was typical of all that a good soldier should be. He enlisted in the Engineers some twenty years ago, and had seen considerable foreign service, having served in Singapore, Aden and India. He was present on the occasion of the Delhi Durbar, for which he received a special medal, and he was also the holder of the Long Service Medal. On March 14th, last year he returned to military duties, after fourteen days' leave, and seven days later, whilst gallantly assisting to repel the German onslaught, he was severely wounded. That fact was not known at the time to his friends, who presumed that he had been taken prisoner, and nothing was heard of him until last November, when his wife was informed by a soldier returned from active service that her husband was badly wounded on March 21st, and left on the field. This has now been confirmed in a letter written by his commanding officer, Major L. Robinson. He writes "When I was at home, I saw one of my officers (Lieut. Hulse), who was taken prisoner on March 21st, and he told me that your husband was very badly wounded in the head, and they had to leave him when the Germans drove them back, and eventually captured them. There seemed no hope for your husband, and it appeared to be only a few minutes before he would pass away. I am deeply sorry to have to give you this news after all this time of waiting. Lieut. Hulse says your husband was simply magnificent, and cheery and cool during the whole fight, until he was hit. After he was hit, and the ammunition was running out, he pointed to his own belt for them to take his. Nothing I can say can do much to comfort you, I am afraid, but he has left a legacy of valour and uprightness to his children. To me he was invaluable help at all times. My deepest sympathies are with you in your great loss". It was only on Sunday last that Mrs. Swallow received official news of her husband’s death. C.S.M. Swallow, who was thirty seven years of age, married the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Harry Keal, and his widow and two children reside at 45 Houghton Road, Grantham'.
Mark Swallow

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256189

Dvr. Osman William Henry Kear MiD. 295th Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery

Will Kear was my grandfather. Born in 1897, he joined the Territorial Force on the outbreak of WWI. He served with 124th Brigade RFA, supporting 37th Infantry Division and later D Battery, 295th Brigade RFA, part of 59th Division.
This is his diary entry for 11th of November 1918, "Got up at 6 and groomed and had breakfast. Clean parade and stables at 10am. Five minutes past we all fell in and the wireless telegram was read out. The war is napoo, peace proclaimed! Too excited to write. Some experience with all the bells ringing. The boys are going mad. A remarkable thing, the war finished at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Waiting for mail as we have not had any this last three days. It will be up this afternoon. So, it won't be long before we are off to Blighty! Started a green letter to my Darling Girl. Finish it after the mail is come in. Got paid 10Frs. No mail up. I have finished the letter and off to kip."
He was demobilised in 1919, but rejoined the Territorial Army in 1933, this time the Sappers. He served until 1941, having been evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk. By then he was a sergeant having been Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished Service on operations during the period March- June 1940.
I F Watts

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59th (2nd North Midland) Division

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59th (2nd North Midland) Division

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Those known to have served with
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during the Great War 1914-1918.