1st DIVISION

1939-1945

DIVISIONAL FLASH

LOCATIONS SERVED

September 1939 - A regular division in the UK.
June 1942- reorganised as a mixed division.
November 1942- reverted to Infantry Division.

United Kingdom: 3.9.39 - 19.9.39
France & Belgium: 20.9.39 - 2.6.40
United Kingdom: 3.6.40 - 27.2.43
At Sea: 28.2.43 - 9.3.43
North Africa: 9.3.43 - 10.6.43
Pantelleria: 11.6.43 - 14.6.43
North Africa: 15.6.43 - 4.12.43
At Sea: 5.12.43 - 7.12.43
Italy: 7.12.43 - 27.1.45
At Sea: 28.1.45 - 1.2.45
Palestine: 2.2.45 - 31.8.45

BATTLES & ENGAGEMENTS

1943

23 April - 30 April: Medjez Plain
5 May - 12 May: Tunis

1944

22 January - 22 May: Anzio
22 May - 4 June: Rome
25 August - 22 September: Gothic Line

BRIGADES

   

1 Infantry Bde
3.9.39 - 1.6.41

3 Grenadier Guards
2 Coldstream Guards
2 Hampshires

2 Infantry Bde
3.9.39 - 31.8.45

1 Loyal North Lancs
2 North Staffs
1 Gordons (until 28.12.40)
6 Gordons (from 7.4.40)

3 Infantry Bde
3.9.39 - 31.8.45

1 Duke of Wellingtons
2 Foresters
1 KSLI

210 Infantry Bde
25.11.41 - 12.1.42

2nd London Irish Rifles
1st Royal Irish Fusiliers

38 (Irish) Infantry Bde
13.1.42 - 7.6.42

2nd London Irish Rifles
1st Royal Irish Fusiliers
6th Inniskilling Fusiliers

34 Tank Bde
8.6.42 - 2.9.42

North Irish Horse
147 RAC
153 RAC

25 Tank Bde
3.9.42 - 13.11.42

51 RTR
142 RAC
North Irish Horse

24 Infantry Bde (Guards)
6.12.42 - 7.3.44

1 Scots Guards
1st Irish Guards
5 Grenadier Guards

18 Infantry Bde
8.3.44 - 16.8.44

9 KOYLI
1 Buffs
14 Foresters

66 Infantry Bde
19.8.44 - 31.8.45

2 Royal Scots
1 Hertfordshires
11 Lancashire Fusiliers


DIVISIONAL TROOPS

RAC

13/18 Hussars: 3.9.39 - 31.3.40
1 Recce Regt: 1.1.44 - 31.8.45

RE

17 Fd Coy: 3.9.39 - 2.11.39
23 Fd Coy: 3.9.39 - 31.8.45
26 Fd Coy: 3.9.39 - 28.2.50
248 Fd Coy: 2.11.39 - 31.8.45
238 Fd Coy: 29.2.40 - 31.8.45

6 Fd Pk Coy: 3.9.39 - 31.8.45

1 Br Pl: 18.10.43 - 31.8.45

SIGS

1 Div: 3.9.-39 - 31.8.45

RA

2 Fd Regt: 3.9.39 - 31.8.45
19 Fd Regt: 3.9.39 - 31.8.45
24 Fd Regt: 3.9.39 - 31.1.40
67 Fd Regt: 31.1.40 - 31.8.45

21 ATK Regt: 3.9.39 - 10.10.41
81 ATK Regt: 5.11.41 - 8.4.45
93 ATK Regt: 9.4.45 - 31.8.45

90 LAA Regt: 27.1.42 - 7.11.44
11 LAA Regt: 19.11.44 - 17.1.45
1 LAA Regt: 22.3.45 - 31.8.45

INFANTRY

MG Bns

4 Cheshires: 11.11.41 - 1.10.42
2/7 Middlesex: 28.5.44 - 31.8.45

RECCE

1 Bn: 8.1.42 - 5.6.42
1 Regt: 6.6.42 - 31.12.43

SUPPORT BN

2/7 Middlesex: 17.8.43 - 27.5.44


 
 
 

DIVISIONAL COMMANDERS

3.9.39
Maj-Gen Hon. H.R.L.G.Alexander

31.5.40
Brig B.Beckwith-Smith (Acting)

3.6.40
Maj-Gen Hon. H.R.L.G.Alexander

9.6.40
Brig B.Beckwith-Smith (Acting)

13.6.40
Maj-Gen K.A.N.Anderson

19.5.41
Maj-Gen E.L.Morris

18.11.41
Maj-Gen W.E.Clutterbuck

14.10.43
Maj-Gen W.R.C.Penny

18.2.44
Maj-Gen G.W.R.Templer(1)
(Temporary)

23.2.44
Maj-Gen W.R.C.Penny

4.5.44
Maj-Gen J.L.I.Hawkesworth
(Temporary)

24.5.44
Brig C.F.Loewen
(Acting)

14.6.44
Maj-Gen W.R.C.Penny

24.7.44
Maj-Gen C.F.Loewen



(1) Was also commander of 56th (London) Division at this time.

 
 

NOTES

VICTORIA CROSS

Cpl Harry Nicholls VC
3 Bn Grenadier Guards
Date: 21 May 1940
Place: Near River Scheldt, Belgium

Pte R. Burton VC
1 Bn Duke of Wellingtons
Date: 8 October 1944
Place: Monte Ceco, Italy

BOOK

Anon. History of the First Division: Florence to Monte Grande (Schindler's Press, Cairo 1946)

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