50th (Northumbrian) Division
The 50th Division during the Great War:
Many, very many, of my comrades lie dead in another land,
but the memory of their glorious deeds must never die. Northumberland, do not forget!
Edward Riddell, Colonel (formerly Brigadier-General Commanding149th Infantry Brigade, T.A.)
Commanders and Order of Battle in the First World War
The Division landed in France between 15th and 20th April 1915. The following particulars are from that time until the end of the War.
GOC's
Major General Sir W.F.L.Lindsay to 29th June 1915
Major General the Earl of Cavan to 5th August 1915 (Above)
Major General P.S.Wilkinson to 24th February 1918
Major General H.C. Jackson to end.
149 BRIGADE (formerly 1/1st Northumberland Infantry Brigade numbered 149 Brigade May 1915)
Units: 4th NF Reduced to cadre 4th July 1918 Link http://www.4thbnnf.com
5th NF Reduced to cadre 4th July 1918
6th NF Reduced to cadre 4th July 1918
7th NF Link Transferred to the 42nd Division 10th February 1918
5th border 5th May 1915 to 20th December 1915
2 Royal Dublin Fusiliers July 1918 to end
3 Royal Fusiliers July 1918 to end
13 Black Watch July 1918 to end
Northumberland Fusiliers Sergeant
Commanders:
Brigadier General J.F. Riddell to 26th April 1915 (killed)
Brigadier General G. Fielding to 29th June 1915
Brigadier General H.F.H. Clifford to 11th September 1916 (killed)
Brigadier General R.M. Ovens to 6th March 1917
Brigadier General H.C.Rees to 2nd October 1917 (Picture Below)
Brigadier General H.C.Rees to 27th May 1918 (Missing captured on the Aisne retreat)
Brigadier General E.P.A. Riddell to 27th May 1918 (wounded) Link
Brigadier General P.M. Robinson to end.
150 BRIGADE (formerly 1/1st York & Durham Infantry Brigade, numbered 150 Brigade May 1915)
Units: 4 E Yorks Reduced to cadre 4th July 1918
4 Green Howards Reduced to cadre 4th July 1918
5 Green Howards Reduced to cadre 4th July 1918
5 Durham Light Infantry to 10th February 1918
2 NF 15th July 1918 to end
2 Royal Munster Fusiliers 15th July 1918 to end
7 Wilts 15th July 1918 to end
Commanders:
Brigadier General J.E. Bush to 25th January 1916
Brigadier General B.G.Price to 25th February 1918
Brigadier General F.J. Marshall to 13th July 1918
Brigadier General C.P. Heywood to 28th September 1918
Brigadier General G. Rollo to end
151 BRIGADE (formerly 1/1st Durham Light Infantry Brigade, numbered 151 brigade May 1915)
Units: 6 DLI Reduced to cadre 4th July 1918
7 DLI Became Divisional pioneers 16th November 1915
8 DLI Reduced to cadre 4th July 1918
Link to: Captain Thomas Bradford commanded "D" Company of 8th Battalion D.L.I.
9 DLI Transferred to the 62nd Division 10th February 1918
Link to: Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford, V.C.,M.C. (9 DLI)
5 DLI 11th Feb 1918 to 4th July 1918 when reduced to cadre
5 Loyals 11th June 1915 to 20th December 1915
5 Border 21st December 1915 to 13th February 1918
1 KOYLI From 15th July 1918 to end.
6 Inniskilling Fusiliers From 15th July 1918 to end.
4 KRRC From 15th July 1918 to end.
Commanders:
Brigadier General H. Martin to 4th July 1915
Brigadier General J.S.M Shea to 17th May 1916
Brigadier General P.T. Westmorland to 6th September 1916
Brigadier General N.J.G. Cameron to 20th October 1917
Brigadier General C.T. Martin to 27th May 1918 (killed)
Brigadier General R.E. Sugden to end.
The 50th Composite Brigade
The 50th Composite Brigade was formed on the 3rd June 1918 after the decimation of the Division on the Aisne.
Formed under the command of Brig.-General R.M Robinson from one battalion,
149th Brigade, under Lieut.Colonel Fitzhugh, and from
150th Brigade, under Lieut.Colonel Wilkinson, and one from,
151st Brigade, under Lieut.Colonel Kirkup.
DIVISIONAL TROOPS
CAVALRY
'A' Squadron Yorkshire Hussars to 9th May 1916
CYCLISTS
50 Cyclist Company to 20th May 1916
ROYAL ARTILLERY
250 Brigade RFA (formerly 1st Northumbrian Brigade, numbered 250 Brigade 16th May 1916)
251 Brigade RFA (formerly 2nd Northumbrian Brigade, numbered 251 Brigade 16th May 1916)
252 Brigade RFA (formerly 3rd Northumbrian Brigade, numbered 252 Brigade 16th May 1916) Disbanded 20th January 1917 and batteries dispersed.
253 Brigade RFA (formerly 4th Northumbrian Brigade (Howitzers), numbered 253 Brigade 16th May 1916) Disbanded 16th November 1916 and batteries dispersed to 250 and 251 Brigades
X 50 Trench Mortar Battery RA from April 1916 to end
Y 50 Trench Mortar Battery RA from April 1916 to end
Z 50 Trench Mortar Battery RA from April 1916 to February 1918.
V 50 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery from January 1917 to February 1918.
50 Divisional Ammunition Column from 15th July 1918
Commanders:
Brigadier General C.G Henshaw to 24th December 1915
Brigadier General W.A. Robinson to 21st May 1916
Brigadier General A.U. Stockley to 29th March 1918
Brigadier General W.Stirling to end
ROYAL ENGINEERS
7 Field Company RE from 6th June 1915
446 Field Company RE (formerly 1st Northumbrian Field Company numbered 446 1st February 1917
447 Field Company RE (formerly 2nd Northumbrian Field Company numbered 447 1st February 1917
50 Divisional Signal Company RE Link
PIONEERS (Infantry)
7 DLI from 16th November 1915 to 20th June 1918 when transferred to the 8th Division
5 Royal Irish Regiment 14th July 1918 to end
MACHINE GUNS (Infantry)
149 Company From 1st February 1916 to end. (Formed into 50 Battalion Machine Gun Corps 1st March 1918)
150 Company From 1st February 1916 to end. (Formed into 50 Battalion Machine Gun Corps 1st March 1918)
151 Company From 1st February 1916 to end. (Formed into 50 Battalion Machine Gun Corps 1st March 1918)
245 Company From 30th July 1917 to end
RAMC
1/1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance----Throughout war.
1/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance----up to July 1918.
1/3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance----Throughout war.
2/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance----from July 1918.
(R) ASC
Divisional Train
267 Company (R) ASC
468 Company (R) ASC
469 Company (R) ASC
470 Company (R) ASC
50 Divisional Ambulance Workshop from July 1918
(R) AVC
1/1st Northern Mobile Veterinary Section
MISCELLANEOUS
244 Divisional Employment Company from August 1917 to end
NOTES:
(a) It will be noted that the Division was almost completely reconstituted in July 1918 following the very heavy casualties suffered in the German offensive on the Aisne.
(b) A composite brigade consisting of three battalions (one from each brigade and known as 50 Composite Brigade was formed on 1st June 1918 under Brigadier General F. J. Marshall (149 Brigade). This Brigade was disbanded on 30th June 1918 and the personnel rejoined their units, most of which became training cadres.
(c) Above particulars have been mainly obtained from The History of the 50th Division by Everard Wyrall, published by Lund Humphries in 1939. (Recently reprinted by 'The Naval and Military Press')
50th (Northumbrian) Division
BATTLE HONOURS
Battles of Ypres 1915
St.Julien.
Frizenberg Ridge.
BATTLES OF THE SOMME 1916
15th to 22nd Sept 1916…Flers - Courcelette. Link1 Link 2
25th to 28th Sept 1916…...Battle of Morval
1st to 3rd October 1916….Battle of Transloy Ridges.
Attack on The Butte de Warlencourt 5th Nov 1916 by 151 Brigade Link
Attack on Hook Sap 14th Nov 1916 by 149 Brigade Link
The Ancre.
BATTLES OF ARRAS 1917
11th to 14th April 1917… First Battle of the Scarpe. Link
13th to 15th April 1917… Capture of Wancourt Ridge. Link
23rd to 24th April 1917… Second Battle of the Scarpe.
Third battle of the Scarpe 1917.
BATTLES OF YPRES 1917
FIRST BATTLES OF THE SOMME 1918
St. Quentin.
Rosieres.
BATTLES OF THE LYS Link
Estaires.
Hazebrouk.
BATTLE OF THE AISNE 1918
Captain Bert Odell MC +
Bar
