History
Ordered to move to France as part of Indian Expeditionary Force “A”.
Under command of Major-General H. D. Fanshawe
Most of the units and headquarters of the division assembled and embarked at Bombay on 18 November 1914. It sailed as a convoy next day, escorted by the French cruiser “Dupleix”. One ship, the “City of Lahore”, carrying half of the 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse), had to return due to trouble with the crew. It rejoined the convoy just as it was entering the Suez Canal on 4 December. On reaching Aden on 26 November, “Dupleix” handed over escort duty to the RIMS ship “Northbrook”, but returned three days later. On exiting the Suez Canal on 7 December, the convoy came under escort of the French ship “Fondre”. From 12 December the convoy sailed without escort. The division landed at Marseilles on 15 December 1914 and proceeded by rail to Orléans.
Under command of Major-General G. A. Cookson
A further move was made and divisional headquarters finally opened at Mametz, four miles from Aire-sur-la-Lys (and not to be confused with the place of same name on the Somme), on 1 January 1915.
In the evening of ten days later, 900 men of the Mhow Cavalry Brigade, now dismounted, took over a section of front line trenches from 1st Indian Cavalry Division between Festubert and Givenchy.
- 11 March 1915: divisional HQ relocated to Lozinghem.
- 14 March 1915: divisional HQ relocated to Norrent-Fontes.
- 18 March 1915: divisional HQ relocated to the chateau at Roquetoire. Units engaged in digging a secondary defensive line near Robecq.
- 24-25 April 1915: divisional HQ relocated to Wemaers-Capelle. Placed under orders to move at one hour’s notice (the German attack in the Second Battle of Ypres having begin on 22 April).
- 28 April 1915: divisional HQ relocated to Houtkerque.
- 2 May 1915: divisional HQ returned to Wemaers-Capelle. Next day it move to Noordpeene and then to the chateau at Bomy.
- 17 May 1915: divisional HQ relocated to Lapugnoy. Two days later it returned to Bomy.
- 1 August 1915: having been ordered to move south from Flanders to come into the area behind the Somme front, divisional HQ relocated to Royon (NW of Hesdin). Next day it moved to Gorenflos and on 3 August to the Chateau d’en Bas at Belloy-sur-Somme. Divisional units, having been orderedto proceed dismounted for trench-holding work, sustained small numbers of casualties for the first time in months. On 2 September 1915 an advanced HQ reprting centre was set up at Martinsart and units took over a section of the front line from 1st Indian Cavalry Division. On 13 September, having been relieved, HQ returned to Belloy-sur-Somme.
- 22 September 1915: divisional HQ relocated to Ribeaucourt.
- 13 October 1915: divisional HQ relocated to Frohlen-le-Grand.
- 22-23 October 1915: divisional HQ relocated to Oisement. It remained there for several months.
In January 1916 each cavalry brigade formed a “dismounted regiment” of 300 men. They were eventually replaced by in November 1916 by “Indian cavalry pioneer battalions” which were not the same as those usually under command of a British division. These units were frequently detached: for example, the Ambala Brigade Pioneer Battalion first left on the day it was formed, for work unde XIV Corps.
Under command of Major-General H. J. M. Macandrew from 7 May 1916
- 8 May 1916: divisional HQ relocated to the training area at Saint-Riquier. It returned to Oisement on 14 May.
- 5 June 1916: divisional HQ relocated to Senarpont (on the River Somme, west of Amiens and not far from the coast). Brigades went to Saint-Riquier for training.
- 22 June 1916: divisional HQ relocated to Pont-Remy ((on the River Somme, south of Abbeville).
- 27 June 1916: divisional HQ relocated to Bussy-les-Daours, bringing into into the rear area behind the Somme front that was about to be attacked by British and French forces. On 5 July, detachments of men were sent to work at the Casualty Clearing Stations at Gézaincourt, Heilly, Puchevillers and Vecquemont.
- 13 July 1916: with a report centre remaining at Bussy-les-Dapours, division moved to the area between Dernancourt where HQ was set up) and Méaulte (bringing it into position to support offensive operations east of Albert). The report centre relocated next day to Bray-sur-Somme.
The division participated in the following battles and engagements:
- The Battles of the Somme 1916, in phases
- The Battle of Bazentin (14-17 July) (on 23 July HQ relocated to Bussy-les-Daours; on 9 August 1916 a reprt centre opened at Rieux; on 7 September all returned to Bussy-les-Daours; on 15 Septeber 1916 HQ relocated to Fricourt)
- The Battle of Flers-Courcelette (15-22 September) (on 17 September HQ returned to Bussy-les-Daours and by 28 September it was at Cavillon)
In November 1916 the Indian personnel serving with the Brigade Machine Gun Squadrons were replaced by British personnel.
- 1 November 1916: Divisional HQ relocated to Dargnies (in the Somme valley just inland of Le Tréport on the coast)
On 26 November 1916 the division was renamed as 5th Cavalry Division. The titles of units operating as Divisional Troops were also accordingly renamed: for example, the 2nd Indian Cavalry Sanitary Section became 5 (Cavalry) Sanitary Section. The titles of the cavalry brigades were not affected by this change.
- The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line (14 March – 5 April 1917)
- 21 March 1917: Divisional HQ relocated to Pont de Metz on the western edge of Amiens; two days later it moved forward to newly captured Péronne; on 30 March it moved to the rear area at Villers-Bretonneux.
- 15 April 1917 it moved to Guizancourt, well to the SW of Amiens near Poix-de-Picardie; on 15 May a report centre opened at Nobescourt Farm near Roisel, in the newly captured area. On 8-9 July, Canadian Cavalry Brigade carried out a successful trench raid in the vicnity of Ascension Wood.
- 10 July 1917: Divisional HQ relocated to Bouvincourt, in the rear area. During its recent spell in the front line, division had lost 35 officers and men killed, 247 wounded and 1 missing.
- 16 July 1917: relocated to St. Pol-sut-Ternoise, with a report centre set up at 14 rue de Procureurs.
- 31 July 1917: Divisional HQ relocated to Heuchin.
- 7 October 1917: the division had been ordered to move north to Flanders, coming into the rear behind the sector in which the Third Battle of Ypres was being fought. HQ arrived at Poperinge.
- 14 October 1917: Divisional HQ relocated to Renescure.
- 16 October 1917: Divisional HQ relocated to Fressin, east of Montreuil-sur-Mer and deep into the rear. On this date, the division formed a “Cavalry Pioneer Battalion” for work in Second Army’s area.
- 1 November 1917: Divisional HQ relocated to Cavillon, west of Amiens. Units movedfor a period of training at Dargnies, where it had spent the winter of 1916-1917.
- 10 November 1917: Divisional HQ opened an advanced report centre at Occoches.
- 11 November 1917: Divisional HQ relocated to Querrieu. Next day it moved to Bouvincourt. On 15 November it received instructions regarding its role in forthcoming offensive operations. Four days later, headquarters and its units marched to its assembly area north east of Fins.
- The Battle of Cambrai 1917 in phases
- The tank attack (20-21 November) (by 22 November, Divisional HQ was at Equancourt. Nexy day it moved rearward to Suzanne. On 27 November it moved again, to Mochy-Lagache)
- The German counter-attack (30 November – 3 December)
- 31 January 1918: Divisional HQ relocated to Bouvincourt.
- 17 February 1918: Divisional HQ relocated to Pont de Metz. This proved to be its final location in France.
The division was broken up in February and March 1918, with most of its headquarters, sub-formation headquarters and Indian units moving to Egypt. Headquarters and some of the units formed a new 5th (Indian) Cavalry Division that went on to play a key part in the final major battle in Syria (the Battle of Megiddo in September 1918),
Major-General Macandrew lost his life while still in command of the division in Syria on 16 July 1919, the tragic victim of being burned in an accidental death. Burial details
Order of Battle
Units and sub-formations | Dates |
---|---|
Divisional Headquarters | |
5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade | From start. Left to join 1st Indian Cavalry Division in exchange for 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade on 15 September 1915 |
6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons | Throughout |
2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse) | Throughout |
38th (King George’s Own) Central India Horse | Throughout |
X Battery Royal Horse Artillery and Ammunition Column | From start. On 2 March 1915 moved for temporary attachment to 8th Division. Rejoined brigade 1 April 1915. Left 13 August 1915 to join 2nd Indian Royal Horse Artillery Brigade. |
Brigade Signal Troop | Throughout |
Brigade Mobile Veterinary Section | Throughout |
A Battery Royal Horse Artillery and Ammunition Column | Joined 13 October 1915. Attached to Fourth Army 19-22 October 1916. Left for III Corps 19 November 1916 |
Brigade Machine Gun Squadron | Formed 31 January 1916 |
Brigade Dismounted Regiment | Formed January 1916 |
Brigade Pioneer Battalion | Formed 19 November 1916 |
7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade | Ordered to proceed to Mesopotamia, the brigade left the division and moved to Marseilles on 19-21 June 1916. Went via India, eventually landing at Basra and gong into camp at Makina 28 July 1916. |
13th Hussars | Throughout |
3rd Skinner’s Horse | Throughout |
18th (King George’s Own) Lancers | From start. Transferred to 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade in exchange for 30th Lancers on 14 June 1916 |
V Battery Royal Horse Artillery and Ammunition Column | From start. 18 February 1916 left for attachments to First Army and then Fourth Army Artillery School. Rejoined 16 June 1916 |
Brigade Signal Troop | Throughout |
Brigade Mobile Veterinary Section | Throughout |
Brigade Machine Gun Squadron | Formed 12 February 1916 |
C Squadron, Yorkshire Hussars | Attached to brigade from 49th (West Riding) Division for a fortnight’s training from 28 March 1916 |
Service Sqn, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons | Attached from 36th (Ulster) Division for a fortnight’s training from 13 March 1916 |
36th Divisional Cyclist Company | Attached for a fortnight’s training from 13 March 1916 |
30th Lancers | Joined from 7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade on 14 June 1916 in exchange for 18th (King George’s Own) Lancers |
9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade | Joined the division 1 January 1915, having initially been used as a mobile reserve to the Indian Corps. Broken up in March 1918 |
7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards | |
20th Deccan Horse | |
34th (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Poona Horse | |
N Battery Royal Horse Artillery and H Ammunition Column | |
1st Field Troop (King George’s Own) Sappers and Miners | |
Brigade Signal Troop | |
Brigade Mobile Veterinary Section | |
31st Mule Corps | War diary mentions a section being attached in August 1914 but it is not clear whether it embarked with the rest of the brigade and sailed from Bombay on 20 September 1914 |
Brigade Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) | Formed 8 February 1916. Renamed 13th Squadron on 8 February 1917 |
D Sqn, Lancashire Hussars | Attached from 31st Division for a fortnight’s training from 28 March 1916 |
48th Divisional Cyclist Company | Attached for a fortnight’s training from 13 March 1916 |
3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade | Joined from 1st Indian Cavalry Division in exchange for 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade on 15 September 1915 |
8th Hussars | |
9th Hodson’s Horse | |
30th Lancers | Transferred to 7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade in exchange for 18th (King George’s Own) Lancers on 14 June 1916 |
X Battery Royal Horse Artillery and Ammunition Column | Joined from 2nd Indian Cavalry Brigade in late August or September 1915 |
Brigade Signal Troop | |
18th (King George’s Own) Lancers | Joined from 7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade on 14 June 1916 in exchange for 30th Lancers |
Brigade Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) | Renamed 14th Squadron on 8 February 1917 |
Brigade Mobile Veterinary Section | |
A Sqn, Northumberland Hussars | Attached from 7th Division for a fortnight’s training from 28 March 1916 |
30th Divisional Cyclist Company | Attached for a fortnight’s training from 13 March 1916 |
19th Motor Machine Gun Squadron | Attached for a fortnight’s training from 13 March 1916 |
Brigade Pioneer Battalion | Formed 21 November 1916 |
5th Canadian Cavalry Brigade | Joined division for administrative purposes 5 March 1916; left 9 April 1916; but in June 1916 replaced the 7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade. Left 18 February 1918 as independent brigade |
Fort Garry Horse | |
Royal Canadian Dragoons | |
Lord Strathcona’s Horse | |
Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade | |
Brigade Machine Gun Squadron | |
Brigade Mobile Veterinary Section | |
Brigade Signal Troop | |
Brigade Pioneer Battalion | Formed November 1916 |
Divisional Troops | |
427th (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps | Sailed from Southampton 13 December 1914, arrived Rouen two days later. Moved to join division 30-31 December. Became Divisional Supply and Transport Column |
9th Light Armoured Motor Battery, Motor Machine Gun Corps | War diary exists covering battery’s attachment to division in second half of 1916. Joined 2nd Indian Royal Horse Artillery Brigade 20 November 1916 |
925th Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps | |
Divisional Artillery | |
Askwith’s Brigade | Comprised a headquarters, which was planned to command N and V Batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery and their Ammunition Columns. It departed India before the division and arrived at Marseilles on 7 November 1914. The batteries and columns remained in India at this point. On 14 December 1914, the headquarters became that of the Commander Royal Artillery of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division and Askwith’s Brigade ceased to exist. The headquarters physically joined the rest of the division on 5 January 1915. |
2nd Indian Royal Horse Artillery Brigade | Comprised a headquarters unit, and the Batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery and their Ammunition Columns as shown above, but they were normally under tactical command of the brigades as shown above. 9th Light Armoured Motor Battery joined 20 November 1916. Renamed 17th Brigade RHA on 24 February 1917 |
Divisional Ammunition Column | |
Field Ambulance Repair Workshop | Ceased to exist as a unit 1 April 1916. Personnel to Divisional Suppy Column |
Royal Engineers | |
2nd Indian Field Squadron | |
Signal Squadron | |
Royal Army Medical Corps | |
104th (Mhow) Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance | |
119th (Meerut) Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance | |
141st (Secunderabad) Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance | Joined 3 January 1915 |
Divisional Sanitary Section | |
Divisional Hospital | Mentioned in war diaries |
Canadian Cavalry Field Ambulance | Joined and left with Canadian Cavalry Brigade |
Associated with the division | These types of units were normaly under command of the Lines of Communication but it appears from war diaries that they came under divisional command. |
Divisional Supply Column | Comprised 71 and 83 (Mechanical Transport) Companies, Army Service Corps. Up to 31 December 1914, 71 Company was Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade’s Supply Column but on that date became No. 1 or A Section of the merged Divisional Supply Column. 83 Brigade landed at Rouen on 15 December 1914 and joined the DSC on New Years Eve, becoiming 2 or B Section. |
Divisional Ammunition Park | 72 (Mechanical Transport) Company, Army Service Corps. Landed at Le Havre 25 September 1914 as Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade’s Ammunition Park. Became Divisional Ammunition Park on 31 December 1914. Left in November 1917 to become No. 4 General Headquarters Reserve MT Company. |