British 47th (2nd London) Division - Definition and Overview

The British 47th (1/2nd London) Division was a first-line Territorial Force division. Originally called the "2nd London Division" it was designated the 47th Division in 1915 and referred to as the "1/2nd London Division" after the raising of the second-line 60th (2/2nd London) Division. The division was sent to France in March 1915, one of the first Territorial divisions to enter the fighting, and served on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.

Unit history

Formation

140th (4th London) Brigade 

Up until February 1918 the brigade comprised the following battalions:

• 1/6th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 1/7th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 1/8th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 1/15th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment

From February 1918, the brigade comprised the following battalions:

• 1/15th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 1/17th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (from 141 Bde)
• 1/21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (from 142 Bde)

141st (5th London) Brigade 

• 1/17th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (to 140 Bde February 1918)
• 1/18th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 1/19th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 1/20th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment

142nd (6th London) Brigade 

• 1/21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (to 140 Bde February 1918)
• 1/22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 1/23rd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 1/24th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment

Pioneers 

• 1/4th (Denbighshire) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Battles

• Battle of Aubers Ridge
• Battle of Festubert
• Battle of Loos
• Battle of the Somme (1916)
  • Battle of Flers-Courcelette — capture of High Wood
  • Battle of Le Transloy
• Battle of Messines
• Battle of Cambrai

External links

The British Army in the Great War: The 47th (1/2nd London) Division (http://www.1914-1918.net/47div.htm)