62nd (2nd West Riding) Division

The 2nd West Riding Division was formed from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 49th Division, it was formed in Great Britain in March 1915. Many men were to other units after volunteering for duties overseas. The Division started to prepare for overseas duties in December 1916. Arrived in France in January 1917. Served in France and Flanders until the Armistice.

Battles and Engagements

France and Flanders

German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. 14 Mar-5 Apr 1917.
First attack on Bullecourt. 11 Apr 1917.
German attack on Lagnicourt. 15 Apr 1917.
Battle of Bullecourt. 3-17 May 1917.
Actions on the Hindenburg line. 20 May-16 Jun 1917.
The tank attack. 20-21 Nov 1917.
Capture of Bourlon Wood. 23-28 Nov 1917.

 

  

First Battle of Bapaume. 24-25 Mar 1918.
First Battle of Arras. 28 Mar 1918.
Battle of Tardenois. 20-31 Jul 1918, including the fighting for the Ardre Valley.
Second Battle of Bapaume. 31 Aug-3 Sep 1918.
Battle of Havrincourt. 12 Sep 1918.
Battle of the Canal du Nord. 27 Sep-1 Oct 1918, including the capture of Bourlon Wood.
Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct 1918.
Battle of the Sambre. 4 Nov 1918, including the passage of the Sambre-Oise canal and the capture of Le Quesnoy.

 

 

Infantry Units

 

185th (2/1st West Riding) Brigade.

1/5th Bn Devonshire Regt. 01 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/5th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 01 Mar 1915 - 18 Aug 1918. Disbanded.
2/6th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 01 Mar 1915 - 31 Jan 1918. Disbanded.
2/7th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 01 Mar 1915 - 16 Jun 1918. Reduced to Cadre on 16 Jun 1918. Cadre went to England and was absorbed by the 18th Bn York and Lancaster Regt in the 14th Division on 19 Jun 1918.
1/8th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 30 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/8th Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 01 Mar 1915. 01 Feb 1918. Absorbed by the 1/8th Bn.
2/20th Bn London Regt. 09 Aug 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

  

186th (2/2nd West Riding) Brigade.

2/4th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. Mar 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/5th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. 30 Jan 1918. On joining the Division and absorbing the 2/5th Bn it was renamed to the 5th Bn.
5th Bn Duke of Wellington's Regt. 30 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/5th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. Mar 1915 - 30 Jan 1918. Absorbed by the 1/5th Bn.
2/6th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. Mar 1915 - 31 Jan 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 2/4th, 1/5th and 2/7th Bns.
2/7th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regt. Mar 1915 - 18 Jun 1918. Reduced to Training Cadre on 18 Jun 1918. Cadre to the 14th Division.
2/4th Bn Hampshire Regt. 05 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

187th (2/3rd West Riding) Brigade.

2/4th Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Mar 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.
1/5th Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 02 Feb 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/5th Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Mar 1915 - 02 Feb 1918. Absorbed by the 1/5th Bn.
2/4th Bn York and Lancaster Regt. Mar 1915 - 11 Nov 1918.
2/5th Bn York and Lancaster Regt. Mar 1915 - 03 Feb 1918. Disbanded, personnel to the 1/4th, 2/4th and 1/5th Bns.

 

  

Pioneers.

1/9th Bn Durham Light Infantry. 12 Feb 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

 

Attached Troops.

26th Bn Middlesex Regt. Jul 1916 - Aug 1916. To the 27th Division.

 

    

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