13th (Western) Division in the Great War - The Wartime Memories Project -

13th (Western) Division

The 13th (Western) Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Western Command. The infantry brigades began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914; 39th went to Basingstoke in January 1915. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire.
1915
On 7 June 1915, orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. All mechanical transport was withdrawn and the first reinforcement drafts were ordered not to sail (other than those for the artillery, end RE Companies).
13 June 1915 : first transports left port, and sailed to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing at Gallipoli. Between 6-16 July 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles and relieved 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3-5 August 1915.
Gallipoli

The Battle of Sari Bair
The Battle of Russell's Top
The Battle of Hill 60, ANZAC

Soon afterwards the Division was transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. It was evacuated from Suvla 19-20 December 1915, whereupon the infantry moved after a weeks rest to the Helles bridgehead.
1916
The last Turkish attacks at Helles
On 8-9 January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Helles and by 31 January was concentrated at Port Said. The Division held forward posts in the Suez Canal defences.
On the 12th February 1916 it began to move to Mesopotamia, to strengthen the force being assembled for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. By 27 March, the Division had assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad and came under orders of the Tigris Corps. It then took part in the attempts to relieve Kut. After these efforts failed and Kut fell, the British force in the theatre was built up and reorganised.
1917

The Battle of Kut al Amara
The capture of the Hai Salient
The capture of Dahra Bend
The passage of the Diyala

At 10.30am on 11 March 1917, D Squadron, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry and the 6th (Service) Btn, King's Own were the first British troops to enter Baghdad, which fell on this day.
During the rest of March and April 1917, operations were undertaken to consolidate the position won at Baghdad, by pushing north across Iraq. As part of "Marshall's Column", the Division fought at Delli 'Abbas (27-28 March), Duqma (29 March), Nahr Kalis (9-15 April), crossed the 'Adhaim (18 April) and at Shatt al 'Adhaim (30 April).
It also fought later in the year, in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin (18-20 October and 3-6 December 1917), and finally at Tuz Khurmatli (29 April 1917).
1918
By 28 May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and it remained here until the end of the war. In this inhospitable place, men endured summer temperatures as high as 111 degrees F in the shade. Many working parties were supplied for work on maintaining roads.
On 1 July 1918, Division received orders to detach 39th Brigade for the North Persia Force. It left the Division between 10 July and 19 August 1918. Brigade HQ arrived in Baku at Dunsterforce HQ on 24 August 1918.
In October and early November 1918, parts of 40th Brigade and the Divisional artillery took part in operations as part of "Lewin's Column", pushing north towards Turkey, with advance units reaching as far as Altun Kopri when Turkey signed an Armistice on 31 October 1918.
By 31 December 1918, all areas north of Kirkuk had been evacuated. On 11 January 1919, the Division - by now only some 12,000 strong - began to move south to Amara, and disbandment of the Division proceeded there during February 1919.
6th (Service) Btn, East Lancashire and 6th (Service) Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were selected for the Army of Occupation in Mesopotamia and were posted to join 34th Indian Infantry Brigade.
13th (Western) Division, the only wholly British Division to have served in Mesopotamia, ceased to exist on 17 March 1919. During the war it had suffered 12,656 killed, wounded and missing, and 57,667 went sick (most of whom returned to duty, and this figure will include men who reported on more than one occasion).
The units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 13th (Western) Division
38th Brigade

6th Btn, King's Own
6th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
6th Btn,South Lancashire Regiment
6th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
38th Machine Gun Company joined 24 October 1916
38th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917, merged into Div Train 1 August 1918
38th Trench Mortar Battery G Battery joined from 39th Brigade 7 October 1917, renamed 38th Battery February 1918
38th SAA Section ASC joined March 1918

39th Brigade
1 July 1918 : Brigade received orders to be detached from Division and to be attached to the North Persia Force. It left the Division between 10 July and 19 August 1918. Brigade HQ arrived in Baku at Dunsterforce HQ on 24 August 1918.

9th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
7th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment
9th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
7th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment
39th Machine Gun Company joined 26 October 1916
39th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917
39th Trench Mortar Battery joined as G Battery 13 January 1917, moved to 38th Brigade 7 October 1917. Replaced by H Battery, which arrived from 14th (Indian) Division on 8 October 1917 and was renamed 39th Battery 18 February 1918
39th SAA Section ASC joined March 1918

40th Brigade

8th Btn, Cheshire Regiment
8th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
4th Btn, South Wales Borderers
8th Btn, Welsh Regt left January 1915 to become Divisional Pioneer Bn
5th Btn, the Wiltshire Regt joined December 1914
40th Machine Gun Company joined 24 October 1916
40th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917, merged into Div Train 1 August 1918
40th Trench Mortar Battery joined as I Battery 23 September 1917, renamed 40th battery 18 February 1918

Divisional Troops

5th Btn, Wiltshire Regt left for 40th Brigade December 1914
8th Btn, Welsh Regt became Divisional Pioneer Battalion from January 1915
273rd Company, MGC formed October-November 1917

Divisional Mounted Troops

C Sqn, 33rd (Indian) Cavalry attached briefly in March 1916
D Sqn, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry joined 8 July 1916, left 20 November 1916, rejoined 3 March 1917, left 3 August 1917
13th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps

Divisional Artillery

LXVI Brigade, RFA
LXVII Brigade, RFA left for 10th (Irish) Division October 1915
LXVIII Brigade, RFA left for 10th (Irish) Division October 1915
LXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916
LV Brigade, RFA arrived from 10th (Irish) Division January 1916
LVI Brigade, RFA arrived from 10th (Irish) Division January 1916, left July 1916
13th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA joined August 1914, but did not go overseas with the Division. Unlike in most other Divisions, each artillery brigade retained its own Ammunition Column
13th Heavy Battery, RGA raised for this Division, the Battery was ordered to France on 30 May 1915 as part of XVII Heavy Brigade. On 23 October 1915, it joined 28th Division
91st Heavy Battery, RGA joined for Gallipoli 7 June 1915, left for XCVI Brigade RGA in 1917
74th Heavy Battery, RGA joined in Mesopotamia 24 August 1916, left for LXVI Brigade 23 November 1916
157th Heavy Battery, RGA one section was attached January-February 1917
2/104th Heavy Battery, RGA attached February-March and October-December 1917
157th Siege Battery, RGA attached briefly in February 1917 26 (Jacob's) Mountain Battery, RGA joined 23 October 1917, left 10 August 1918
177th Heavy Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 29 May 1918
384th Siege Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 1 October 1918
387th Siege Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 24 March 1918
The Division had no Medium or Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries, but had four "Trench Howitzer Batteries" armed with 2-inch mortars. They were numbered 133, 135, 136 and 137. Joined Division January-February 1917.

Royal Engineers

71st Field Company
72nd Field Company left for North Persia Force with 39th Brigade Group
88th Field Company
13th Divisional Signals Company

Royal Army Medical Corps

39th Field Ambulance
40th Field Ambulance left for North Persia Force with 39th Brigade Group
41st Field Ambulance
24th Sanitary Section went to Egypt
28th Sanitary Section joined in Mesoptamia in March 1916

Other Divisional Troops

13th Divisional Train ASC originally 120, 121, 122, 123 Coys. This Train did not sail for Gallipoli. It moved to Egypt in November 1915 and joined 28th Division. A Divisional Transport and Supply Column was formed for the Division in Mesopotamia. On 1 August 1918, the Brigade Transport and Supply Columns from 38th and 40th Brigade merged with it, at which point this unit once again became known as 13th Divisional Train
24th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
13th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined Division September 1915 but did not go overseas
10th Field Bakery ASC joined as first British mobile field bakery, 23 April 1916
31st Field Butchery ASC joined 23 April 1916

1st February 1915 The day spent bathing and general cleaning up

13th Mar 1915 Change of Command

19th Jun 1915 Advance Party

20th Jun 1915 Orders Received

21st Jun 1915 Postings

22nd Jun 1915 Equipment

23rd Jun 1915 Equipment

24th Jun 1915 Route March

25th Jun 1915 Inspection

26th Jun 1915 Route March

27th Jun 1915 Orders

28th Jun 1915 Chaplain

29th Jun 1915 Preparations

30th Jun 1915 On the Move

1st Jul 1915 On the Move

2nd Jul 1915 On the Move

3rd Jul 1915 On the Move

4th Jul 1915 Preparations

4th Jul 1915 On the Move

5th Jul 1915 On the Move

6th Jul 1915 On the Move

7th Jul 1915 On the Move

8th Jul 1915 Very Hot

9th Jul 1915 On the Move

10th Jul 1915 On the Move

11th Jul 1915 On the Move

12th Jul 1915 Reorganisation

13th Jul 1915 On the Move

14th Jul 1915 On the Move

15th Jul 1915 On the Move

16th Jul 1915 On the Move

17th Jul 1915 Shelling

18th Jul 1915 Recce

19th Jul 1915 Reliefs

20th Jul 1915 Snipers

7th August 1915 In the Line

7th August 1915 In Action

9th August 1915 Shelling

10th August 1915 Support

11th August 1915 On the Move

12th August 1915 Sniper

24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation

21st Jan 1918 Course

5th Feb 1918 Course Ends

13th Feb 1918 Personnel

21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation

If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.

Want to know more about 13th (Western) Division?

There are:46 items tagged 13th (Western) Division available in our Library

These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Those known to have served with
13th (Western) Division
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Acornley Edmund. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.9th Feb 1917)
Astin George Henry. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.14th Jan 1917.)
Bailey John Robinson. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.8th Apr 1916)
Blakey John. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.30th Apr 1917)
Bowditch John. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.9th Apr 1916)
Bridge William James. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.30th Apr 1917)
Brightmore Sydney. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.30th Apr 1917)
Burke John. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.26th Aug 1915)
Burrows John Thomas. Sgt. 6th Btn. (d.9th Apr 1916)
Byrne Dennis Cyril. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.19th Apr 1916)
Casson James. Pte. 6th Btn. (Machine Gun Section) (d.9th Apr 1916)
Chapples Robert Hey. Sgt. 6th Btn. (d.9th Apr 1916)
Collinge Arthur. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.26th Feb 1917)
Cooper George. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.30th Apr 1917)
Duncan David James White. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.9th March 1917)
Duxberry William. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.5th Jul 1918.)
Fielden Samuel. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.30th April 1917)
Flynn James Henry. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.30th Mar 1917)
Game David James . Sgt. 6th Btn.
Hudson Henry James. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.10th Aug 1915)
Lassetter John James Wilder. 2nd Lt. 6th Btn. (d.8th Mar 1917)
Massey Henry. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.6th Feb 1917)
Smith John William. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.9th Apr 1916)

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

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1206425

Sgt. David James Game 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

Sgt. David James Game served with the 1st Battalion South Lancs 1904-1913 [7yrs India], 2nd Battalion South Lancs BEF 1914 [Battle of Mons] and 6th Battalion South Lancs BEF 1915-1919 Gallipoli and Mesopatamia
My grandfather was born 23rd August 1888 in Cambridge, he was one of 9 children, his parents moved to Leamington around 1899, and they lived in Bedford Street. Grandad enlisted with the 1st Battalion South Lancs in 1904 aged 15 years old, he was under age, on his service record he put his DOB as 1886, he served 9 years, 7 of them in India, he left in 1913 to join his brothers in Canada. Unfortunately war broke out and Grandad was back to the UK, he was now with the 2nd Battalion South Lancs as the 1st Battalion served the war in India.
Being in the regular army he was with the BEF [British Expeditionary Force] who were sent out to France whilst the New Army was being trained. I am able to piece together my grandfatherâ€™s experiences from himself, his service records and the War Diaries. Having served in France between 5 August and 22 November 1914, Grandad was truly "An Old Contemptible". He was also entitled to wear the clasp & rose to his 1914 Star Medal, awarded to all those who served under fire with the original British Expeditionary Force. By European standards the peacetime British Army was very small, but what it lacked in numbers it made up for in quality. Its Regular soldiers were long-time service professionals, confident in their marksmanship and discipline, and intensely proud of their Regiments. In comparison with the largely conscript continental armies, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) of 1914 was indeed â€˜a rapier among scythesâ€™
Grandad took part in, the battles of Aisne and La Bassee, From 12th to 29th October 2nd South Lancashires experienced severe fighting and heavy casualties at the Battle of La BassÃ©e, on the 21st October under cover of the mist, the Germans penetrated the front of the South Lancashires, on this day alone they lost seven officers and over two hundred men , but despite determined German attacks the battered line never broke.
First Battle Ypres: 2nd South Lancashires joined the 1st Loyal North Lancashires in the Ypres fighting, withstanding repeated attacks at Nonne Boschen 11th-13th Nov. The battle swayed back and forth as fresh German divisions were committed and, with ever decreasing numbers, the British Regular Army fought almost literally to the death, constantly attacking , withdrawing and counter attacking. The line held but at a terrible cost, both battalions being reduced to barely company strength. "Although names are given to periods of fighting, it is not possible to describe them as battles. It was a period of continuous, prolonged, ruthless encounter hardly interrupted at night. Our troops had no rest. They were out-numbered, out-gunned and opposed by a determined, skilful and implacable enemy. The fighting was largely individual. The casualties were so heavy that units lost their identity and were roughly grouped under brigades. The troops fought in shallow trenches and shell holes, and in terrible weather conditions. In addition to wound and death casualties, they suffered from frozen feet and knees and from rheumatism. Repulse of German attacks was a daily commonplace. Hourly shelling, to which no reply was possible, owing to shortage of ammunition. Only at night could supplies be brought up and wounded removed. As soon as dusk fell, Ypres was crowded with vehicles passing in and out...
It was at Nonne Boschen on the 13th Nov my granddad was wounded, he was returned home to England. In July 1915 he was with the BEF attached to the 6th Battalion South Lancs on his way to Gallipoli, they sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915, landed at Cape Helles (Gallipoli) 7-31 July, then moved to Mudros. Landed at Anzac Beach 4 August 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. It was here in Gallipoli he was promoted to Sergeant. They were evacuated from Gallipoli and went to Egypt via Mudros.
February 1916 he was on his way to Mesopotamia, the 6th Battalions of the East Lancashires, South Lancashires and Loyal North Lancashires, veterans of Gallipoli, were sent to Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) . They landed at Basra in March 1916. They formed part of the 38th (Lancashire) Infantry Brigade of the 13th (Western) Division of Kitchenerâ€™s New Army Here they had to acclimatize into the extreme weather conditions. Even so, with temperatures regularly exceeding 50 deg.C, death and illness from heat-stroke were common and dysentery, malaria and other tropical diseases were endemic. Grandad was used to the high temperatures, from his time spent in India, he partook in the battles here, and he finally returned home in March 1919. He was so very lucky to have survived all this, to come home, due probably to his expert pre war training.
He married Ellen Donald in 1920. On his return home from the Great War to a home fit for heroes, he found 2 1/2 days a fortnight work, digging trenches" for pipes. In 1923 - 1926 he joined the East Lancs as a private. Re-enlistment was encouraged by the short-term offer of a considerable financial incentive, this enabled my grandparents to eventually buy their home in Coventry. I believe he was truly a remarkable man.
Pat Evans

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13th (Western) Division

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Those known to have served with
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