THE NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS 1914-18  

Mons, Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914 '18, La Bassée 1914, Messines 1914 '17 '18, Armentières 1914, Ypres 1914 '15 '17 '18, Nonne Bosschen, Gravenstafel, St. Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde, Loos, Somme 1916 '18, Albert 1916 '18, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozières , Flers Courcelette, Morval, Thiepval, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights , Ancre 1916, Arras 1917 '18, Scarpe 1917 '18, Arleux, Pilckem, Langemarck 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood , Broodseinde, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917 '18, St. Quentin, Bapaume 1918, Rosières, Lys, Estaires, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Béthune, Scherpenberg, Drocourt Quéant, Hindenburg Line, Épéhy, Canal du Nord, St. Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Courtrai, Selle, Valenciennes, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914-18, Piave, Vittorio Veneto, Italy 1917-18, Struma, Macedonia 1915-18, Suvla, Landing at Suvla, Scimitar Hill, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1916-17.

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1st Battalion

4.8.14 Portsmouth, as part of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. Landed at Havre 14.8.14. On 11.11.18 located at La Longueville, east of Bavai, France.

2nd Battalion

4.8.14 Malta. Landed in England 19.9.14 and joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division at Lyndhurst. Landed at Zeebrugge 7.10.14. Arrived in Italy 24.11.17Sabathu, India. Sailed from Karachi 20.11.14 and landed at Plymouth 22.12.14. To Winchester in 84th Brigade, 28th Division. Sailed from Marseilles 24.10.15. Arrived Alexandria 29.10.15 and left 21.11.15. Arrived Salonika 24.11.15. June 1918 left 28th Division and sailed for France. Itea to Taranto, Italy, 26/27.6.18. To 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division at Martin Eglise 16.7.18. On 11.11.18 located Dourlers, north of Avsesnes, France.

1/4th Battalion T.F.

4.8.14 Hexham as part of Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division. On Tyne Defences until April 1915 and then to France. Formation became 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on 14.5.15. Reduced to cadre 15.7.18 and to Dieppe area as Lines of Communication troops. To 118th Brigade, 39th Division 16.8.18. Disbanded 10.11.18.

1/5th Battalion T.F.

4.8.14 Walker, Newcastle-on-Tyne as part of Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division. On Tyne Defences until April 1915 and then to France. Formation became 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on 14.5.15. Reduced to cadre 15.7.18 and to Dieppe area as Lines of Communication troops. To 118th Brigade, 39th Division 16.8.18. Disbanded 10.11.18.

1/6th Battalion T.F.

4.8.14 St Georges Drill Hall, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne as part of Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division. On Tyne Defences until April 1915 and then to France. Formation became 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on 14.5.15. Reduced to cadre 15.7.18 and to Dieppe area as Lines of Communication troops. To 118th Brigade, 39th Division 16.8.18. Disbanded 10.11.18.

1/7th Battalion T.F.

4.8.14 Alnwick as part of Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division. On Tyne Defences until April 1915 and then to France. Formation became 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on 14.5.15. Became Pioneer Battalion 42nd (East Lancs) Division on 12.2.18. On 11.11.18 located near Hautmont, France.

8th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle August 1914 and to Grantham in 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. To Witley April 1915, and sailed for Mediterranian in July 1915. Landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli 7.8.15. To Egypt January 1916, and then to France in July. On 11.11.18 located at Grosse Naie, S.W. of Aulnois, France.

9th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle September 1914 and to Wareham area in 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. To Wimborne December 1914, and then Wool in March 1915. To Hursley June 1915. Landed in France July 1915. Transferred to 104th Brigade, 34th Division on 3.8.17. Absorbed 2/1st Northumberland Yeomanry on 25.9.17 and became 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion. To 183rd Brigade, 61st Division on 26.5.18. On 11.11.18 located at south of Valenciennes, at Bermerain, France.

10th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle September 1914 and to Bullswater, near Frensham, in 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. In December 1914 moved to North Camp, Aldershot. To Ashford, Kent in February 1915. May 1915 to Bramshott. Landed in France August 1915. To Italy November 1917. On 4.11.18 located at Porcia, Italy.

Victoria Cross:

11th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle September 1914 and to Bullswater, near Frensham, in 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. In December 1914 moved to North Camp, Aldershot. To Ashford, Kent in February 1915. May 1915 to Bramshott. Landed in France August 1915. To Italy November 1917. On 4.11.18 located at Porcia, Italy.

Victoria Cross:

12th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle September 1914 and to Halton Park in 62nd Brigade, 21st Division. To billets in Aylesbury area November 1914. To Halton Park May 1915 and then Witley in August. Landed in France September 1915. Amalgamated with 13th Battalion on 10.8.17 to form 12th/13th Battalion. On 11.11.18 located near Berlaimont, France.

13th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle September 1914 and to Halton Park in 62nd Brigade, 21st Division. To billets in Aylesbury area November 1914. To Halton Park May 1915 and then Witley in August. Landed in France September 1915. Amalgamated with 13th Battalion on 10.8.17 to form 12th/13th Battalion. On 11.11.18 located near Berlaimont, France.

14th Battalion

Formed at Newcastle September 1914 and to Halton Park and Aylesbury area as Army Troops, 21st Division. Became Pioneer Battalion 21st Division. To Witley August 1915. Landed in France September 1915. On 11.11.18 located near Berlaimont, France.

16th Battalion (Newcastle Commercials)

Formed at Newcastle September 1914 by the Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce. November 1914 to Alnwick, then Cramlington. Became part of 96th Brigade, 32nd Division in June 1915 at Catterick. To Codford St Mary 21.8.15. Landed at Boulogne 22.11.15. Disbanded at Elverdinghe on 7.2.18 and personnel to T.F. Battalions in 50th Division. 

17th Battalion (North East Railway Pioneers)

Raised by North Eastern Railway at Hull in September 1914. Became Pioneer Battalion on 11.1.15. Remained at Hull until June 1915 and then to 32nd Division as Pioneer Battalion at Catterick. On 21.8.15 to Codford St Mary. Taken over by War Office 1.9.15. Landed at Havre 21.11.15. To GHQ as Railway Construction Troops 19.10.16 and rejoined 32nd Division at Ghyvelde on 2.9.17. To GHQ as Railway Construction Troops again on 15.11.17. To 52nd Division as Pioneer Battalion on 31.5.18. On 11.11.18 located near Sirault, N.W. of Mons, Belgium.

18th Battalion (1st Tyneside Pioneers)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 14.10.14. To Rothbury 21.12.14. Became Pioneer Battalion 8.2.15. To Cramlington April 1915. To Kirkby Malzeard as Pioneer Battalion 34th Division July 1915. Taken over by War Office 15.8.15. To Windmill Hill, Salisbury Plain, 30.8.15. To Sutton Veny end of September 1915. Landed at Havre 8.1.16. Reduced to cadre 18.5.18. To 116th Brigade, 39th Division, on 17.6.18. To 118th Brigade on 29.7.18. To 66th Division on 16.8.18. Posted with 197th Brigade to be Lines of Communication Troops in 20.9.18.  On 11.11.18 located at Haudricourt, south of Aumale, France.

19th Battalion (2nd Tyneside Pioneers)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 16.11.14. To Morpeth 13.1.15. To Cramlington 4.5.15. Became a Pioneer Battalion on 8.2.15. To Masham as Pioneer Battalion 35th Division on 16.6.15. Taken over by the War Office in August 1915 and to Perham Down. Landed at Havre 29.1.16. On 11.11.18 located at Waemaerde, east of Courtrai, Belgium.

20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 14.10.14. To Alnwick March 1915. In June 1915 became part of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division. End of August 1915 to Salisbury Plain. Taken over by War Office 15.8.15. January 1916 landed in France. Disbanded in France 3.2.18. 

21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 26.9.14. To Alnwick March 1915. In June 1915 became part of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division. End of August 1915 to Salisbury Plain. Taken over by War Office 15.8.15. January 1916 landed in France. Disbanded in France 3.2.18. 

22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 5.11.14. To Alnwick March 1915. In June 1915 became part of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division. End of August 1915 to Salisbury Plain. Taken over by War Office 15.8.15. Landed in France January 1916. Reduced to cadre 17.5.18. To England with 16th Division on 18.6.18. Absorbed new 38th Battalion at Margate on 18.6.18 and rejoined 16th Division at Aldershot in 48th Brigade. July 1918 to France. On 11.11.18 located south of Tournai, Belgium.

23rd Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 5.11.14. To Alnwick March 1915. In June 1915 became part of 102nd Brigade, 34th Division. End of August 1915 to Salisbury Plain. Taken over by War Office 15.8.15. Landed in France January 1916. Reduced to cadre 17.5.18. To 116th Brigade, 39th Division, on 17.6.18. To 66th Division on 16.8.18. With 197th Brigade as Lines of Communication troops on 20.9.18. On 11.11.18 located near Aumale, France.

24th Battalion (1st Tyneside Irish)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 14.11.14. To Woolsington March 1915. In June 1915 became part of 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. End of August 1915 to Salisbury Plain. Taken over by War Office 15.8.15. Landed in France January 1916. Amalgamated with 27th Battalion on 10.8.17 to form 24/27th Battalion. Disbanded in France 26.2.18.

25th Battalion (2nd Tyneside Irish)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on 9.11.14. To Woolsington March 1915. In June 1915 became part of 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. End of August 1915 to Salisbury Plain. Taken over by War Office 27.8.15. Landed in France January 1916. To 102nd Brigade 3.2.18. Reduced to cadre 16.5.18. To 116th Brigade, 39th Division, on 17.6.18. To 66th Division on 16.8.18. With 197th Brigade as Lines of Communication troops on 20.9.18. On 11.11.18 located near Aumale, France.

Victoria Cross:

26th Battalion (3rd Tyneside Irish)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on November 1914. To Woolsington March 1915. In June 1915 became part of 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. End of August 1915 to Salisbury Plain. Taken over by War Office 27.8.15. Landed in France January 1916. Disbanded in France 3.2.18. 

27th Battalion (4th Tyneside Irish)

Formed at Newcastle by the Lord Mayor and City on January 1915. To Woolsington Park March 1915. In June 1915 became part of 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. End of August 1915 to Salisbury Plain. Taken over by War Office 15.8.15. Landed in France January 1916. Amalgamated with 24th Battalion on 10.8.17 to form 24/27th Battalion. Disbanded in France 26.2.18.

Victoria Cross:

36th Battalion

On 1.1.17 the 22nd Provisional Battalion at St Osyth, as part of 222nd Brigade, became the 36th Battalion. To Ramsgate and then Margate in April 1918. Became Garrison Guard Battalion on 27.4.18 and went to France in May 1918 joining 178th Brigade, 59th Division. The 'Garrison Guard' title was dropped by July 1918. On 11.11.18 located N.E. of Tournai, Belgium.

Victoria Cross:

1st Garrison Battalion

Formed in August 1915 and to Malta, where it remained.

2nd Garrison Battalion

Formed at Newcastle in October 1915 and to India in February 1916, where it remained.

PRINTED SOURCES

Sandilands, H.R. Brig  - FIFTH IN THE GREAT WAR. A History of the 1st & 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, 1914-1918 (Reprinted by Naval & Military Press, 310pp, portraits, plates, maps, sb 2002 N&MP Reprint of 1932 Original Edition .With the separate and rare map volume bound in to this reprint. ISBN 1843422212).
Available from Naval & Military Press.

Shakespear, J. - RECORD of the 17th and 32nd BATTALIONS NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS (N.E.R. Pioneers). 1914-1919 (Naval & Military Press, 2003 N&M Press reprint (original pub 1926). SB. xv + 183pp with 29 b/w plates and five maps. ISBN 1843426870).
Available from Naval & Military Press.

Trevor Ternan, Brig-Gen - STORY OF THE TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (SB 160pp.portraits,plates, 2003 N&MP Reprint of 1919 Original Edition. ISBN 1843424800).
Available from Naval & Military Press.

T.P.O’Connor M.P, Joseph Keating and Felix Lavery - (Tyneside Irish Brigade) IRISH HEROES IN THE WAR (Naval & Military Press, 2002 N & M Press reprint. Original pub 1917. SB. 356pp with numerous group and individual portrait photos. ISBN 1843423545).
Available from Naval & Military Press.

INTERNET SOURCES

The Northumberland Fusiliers - on Chris Baker's 'Long, Long Trail' website.

The Tyneside Scottish in the First World War

N.B. Only battalions that saw overseas service are listed here. Units that stayed in England are not shown.

©Paul Reed 2004