History
A New Zealand Expeditionary Force of just under 8500 men, volunteers for overseas service drawn from the recently raised Territorial Force, sailed from home on 14 October 1914. En route they linked up with an Australian brigade and, original intentions of going to England having been changed, together arrived at Egypt on 3 December 1914.
1915
– 2 February 1915: two battalions involved in defending against Turkish attack on Suez Canal
– 1 April 1915 : Division receives orders to prepare to make amphibious assault at Gallipoli
– 25 April 1915 : Division lands at what was to become forever known as ANZAC Beach
– Gallipoli campaign. (8 August 1915 : a key date particularly for New Zealand history as the force assaulted Chunuk Bair.)
The Division withdrew from Gallipoli in late 1915.
1916
Reconstituted as the New Zealand Division in February and March 1916
Order of battle
Divisional headquarters
Headquarters
under whose command came the Infantry Brigades and the other divisional troops listed below
New Zealand Brigade
Wellington Battalion
Canterbury Battalion
Auckland Battalion
Otago Battalion
Maori Battalion. Under command of this brigade from February 1915
4th Australian Brigade
13th Australian Infantry
14th Australian Infantry
15th Australian Infantry
16th Australian Infantry
Divisional Mounted Troops
Otago Mounted Rifles. Attached to New Zealand Brigade
New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. Attached to New Zealand Brigade
Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington Mounted Rifles. Attached to New Zealand Brigade
1st Australian Light Horse Brigade. Consisted of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Light Horse, attached to 4th Australian Brigade
3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade. Consisted of 8th, 9th and 10th Australian Light Horse, attached to 4th Australian Brigade
Divisional Royal Artillery
1st New Zealand Brigade RFA
2nd New Zealand Brigade RFA. Formed at Gallipoli in July 1915
Divisional Royal Engineers
1st New Zealand Field Company RE
2nd New Zealand Field Company RE
4th Australian Field Company RE
New Zealand and Australian Divisional Signal Company RE
Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps
New Zealand and Australian Field Ambulance RAMC
4th Australian Field Ambulance RAMC
New Zealand and Australian Mounted Field Ambulance RAMC. Formed May 1915
Other Divisional Troops
4th Australian Light Horse. Attached to 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade in April 1915
12th Australian Light Horse. Arrived Egypt July 1915, attached to 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade August-December 1915
New Zealand and Australian Divisional Train. A unit of the Army Service Corps. Formed January 1915.
New Zealand and Australian Mobile Veterinary Section. A unit of the Army Veterinary Corps. Formed January 1915.