British 42nd Division
The British 42nd (East Lancashire) Division was a Territorial Army division. Originally called the 'East Lancashire Division', it was redesignated as the 42nd Division in 1915. It was the first Territorial division to be sent overseas during the First World War. The division fought at Gallipoli, in the Sinai desert and on the Western Front in France.
In 1940 the division was deployed as part of the British Expeditionary Force in France. In the modern British Army the division survives as the British 42 North West Brigade.
Unit history
The division was sent to Egypt in September 1914 to protect the Suez Canal from Turkish attack. In early May 1915 the division was sent to Cape Helles following the failure of the Allies to achieve the anticipated swift success at Gallipoli during April. The 125th Brigade landed in time to participate in the Second Battle of Krithia on May 6. The entire division was involved in the Third Battle of Krithia on June 4.
The division carried out the Helles diversion at the start of the Battle of Sari Bair in what became known as the Battle of Krithia Vineyard. It remained at Gallipoli until the final evacuation of Helles in January 1916 but was severely depleted by casualties and illness.
After the evacuation of Gallipoli, the division returned to Egypt and participated in the advance across the Sinai without becoming seriously engaged in the fighting.
In February 1917 the division moved to France.
Formation
The division comprised three infantry brigades:
- 125th Brigade (Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade)
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- 1/5th Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers
- 1/6th Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers
- 1/7th Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers
- 1/8th Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers
- 126th Brigade (East Lancashire Brigade)
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- 1/4th Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment
- 1/5th Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment
- 1/8th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment
- 1/9th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment
- 1/10th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment
- 127th Brigade (Manchester Brigade)
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- 1/5th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment
- 1/6th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment
- 1/7th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment
- 1/8th (Ardwick) Battalion, The Manchester Regiment
- Independent
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- 1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
- A Squadron, Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry
Battles
