Regimental Depot
Mill Hill Barracks
Battalions of the Regular Army
1st Battalion
August 1914 : at Woolwich.
11 August 1914 : landed at Le Havre as Lines of Communication troops.
22 August 1914 : came under command of 19th Infantry Brigade, which was not allocated to a Division but was an independent command at this time.
12 October 1914 : transferred with Brigade to 6th Division.
31 May 1915 : transferred with Brigade to 27th Division.
19 August 1915 : transferred with Brigade to 2nd Division.
25 November 1915 : transferred with Brigade to 33rd Division and battalion transferred to 98th Brigade in same Division.
2nd Battalion
August 1914 : at Malta. Returned to England in September and moved to Hursley Park, attached to 23rd Brigade in 8th Division.
7 November 1914 : landed at Le Havre.
3rd Battalion
August 1914 : in Cawnpore, India. Returned to England in December 1914, moved to Winchester and attached to 85th Brigade in 28th Division.
Landed at Le Havre 19 January 1915.
25 October 1915 : moved to Egypt and went on to Salonika, arriving 2 December 1915.
4th Battalion
August 1914 : in Devonport, part of 8th Brigade in 3rd Division.
14 August 1914 : landed at Boulogne.
14 November 1915 : transferred to 63rd Brigade in 21st Division.
8 July 1916 : moved with the Brigade to 37th Division.
5th and 6th (Reserve) Battalions
August 1914 : in Mill Hill. Depot/training units, they moved on mobilisation to Rochester (5th) and Gillingham (6th), latter going on to Chatham in November 1915 and 5th to same place in March 1916. In 1917 and 1918 the 5th Bn was at Chatham. Both were part of the Thames & Medway Garrison.
The badge of the regiment as depicted on a CWGC war grave headstone. From the PaulHP collection at flickr, with my thanks.
Battalions of the Territorial Force
1/7th Battalion
August 1914 : in Hornsey. Part of Middlesex Brigade in Home Counties Division.
Had already accepted liability for Imperial Service.
5 August 1914: moved to Isle of Grain (five half-companies) and Sheerness (three).
9 August 1914: moved to Sittingbourne.
4 September 1914 : left the division and began to move to to Gibraltar for garrison duty, arriving 17 September.
8 February: began to return home.
14 February 1915 : arrived back in England, landing at Avonmouth. Moved to High Barnet.
12 March 1915: sailed from Southampton on ships “Munich” and “Inventa”.
13 March 1915 : landed at Le Havre in France and two days later came under orders of 23rd Brigade in 8th Division.
Between 23 June and 2 August 1915, temporarily amalgamated with 1/8th Bn.
8 February 1916 : transferred to 167th Brigade in 56th (London) Division.
1/8th Battalion
August 1914 : in Hounslow. Part of Middlesex Brigade in Home Counties Division.
Moved on mobilisation to Sheerness and then to Sittingbourne.
4 September 1914 : left the division and moved to Gibraltar for garrison duty, arriving 17 September.
February 1915 : returned to England.
9 March 1915 : landed at Le Havre and two days later attached to 85th Brigade in 28th Division.
Between 23 June and 2 August 1915, amalgamated with 1/7th Bn in 8th Division.
27 August 1915 : transferred to 25th Brigade in 8th Division.
23 October 1915 : transferred to 70th Brigade in same Division.
9 February 1916 : transferred to 167th Brigade in 56th (London) Division.
1/9th Battalion
August 1914 : in Willesden Green. Part of Middlesex Brigade in Home Counties Division. Moved on mobilisation to Sheerness and then to Sittingbourne.
30 October 1914 : sailed from Southampton for India, arriving Bombay on 2 December 1914.
The Bn eventually moved to Mesopotamia, arriving Basra on 24 November 1917, and joined the 53rd Brigade of the 18th Indian Division. It remained in that theatre until the end of the war.
1/10th Battalion
August 1914 : in Stamford Brook Lodge, Ravenscourt Park. Part of Middlesex Brigade in Home Counties Division.
Moved on mobilisation to Sheerness and then to Sittingbourne.
30 October 1914 : sailed from Southampton for India, arriving Bombay on 2 December 1914. It remained in India until the end of the war.
2/7th Battalion
Formed at Hornsey in September 1914 as a second line unit. Moved to Barnet and then Egham, where attached to 2/Middlesex Brigade (201st), 2/Home Counties Division (67th). Left the Division in February 1915 and moved to Gibraltar.
31 August 1915: landed at Alexandria in Egypt and proceeded to Cairo.
November 1915: returned to Alexandria and formed part of the Western Frontier Force.
8 May 1916 : moved to France, arriving Marseilles on 15 May 1916. Whole Bn went into quarantine camp for Typhus.
Disbanded in France on 10 June 1916, whereupon the 3/7th Bn in England (see below) was retitled the 2/7th.
2/8th Battalion
Formed at Hampton Court 14 September 1914 as a second line unit. Accomodated at Cavalry Barracks but carried out training at Bushey Park.
15 November 1914: moved to Staines. Record then same as 1/7th Bn.
Disbanded in France on 15 June 1916, whereupon the 3/8th Bn in England (see below) was retitled the 2/8th.
2/9th Battalion
Formed at Willesden in September 1914 as a second line unit. Moved to Staines and in November 1915 to Sevenoaks. Went on to Barham in July 1916 and a year later was at Patrixbourne. Disbanded in England in November 1917.
2/10th Battalion
Formed at Stamford Brook in September 1914 as a second line unit. Moved to Staines and attached to 2/Middlesex Brigade (201st), 2/Home Counties Division (67th).
24 April 1915 : moved to 160th (Welsh Border) Brigade in 53rd (Welsh) Division. Moved to Cambridge and in May to Bedford.
18 July 1915 : sailed from devonport, going via Imbros and landed at Suvla Bay on 9 August 1915.
December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Egypt.
19 August 1918 : left the Division and disbanded in Egypt.
3/7th Battalion
Formed at Hornsey in February 1915 and moved to Staines.
Became 2/7th Bn (see above) at Barham.
November 1917 : disbanded.
3/8th Battalion
Formed at Hounslow in February 1915. Had periods at Windsor, Egham and Lewes
Became 2/8th Bn (see above) at Bourne Hill.
October 1917 : disbanded.
3/9th Battalion
Formed at Willesden in March 1915 and moved to Cambridge.
8 April 1916 : retitled as 9th Reserve Bn.
July 1916: moved to Bourne Park Camp near Canterbury in Kent.
1 September 1916: absorbed in 7th Reserve Bn at Purfleet (see below).
3/10th Battalion
Formed in May 1915. Had periods at Ashford, Staines, Reigate, Brighton and Bourne Park (Kent).
1 June 1917 : landed at Le Havre and came under command of South African Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division.
2 August 1917 : transferred to 10th Brigade in 4th Division.
20 February 1918 : left the regiment and was converted into 11th Entrenching Battalion (under orders of XVII Corps in Third Army).
4/7th Battalion
Formed in May 1915 and moved to Cambridge, going later to Purfleet.
8 April 1915 : retitled 7th Reserve Bn.
1 September 1916: absorbed 8th, 9th and 10th Reserve Bns. Moved to Tunbridge Wells in September 1916.
4/8th and 4/10th Battalions
Formed in May 1915 and moved to Cambridge, going later to Purfleet.
8 April 1915 : retitled 8th and 10th Reserve Bns.
1 September 1916: absorbed into 7th Reserve Bn.
32nd Battalion
On 1 January 1917, the 63rd Provisional Bn became the 32nd Middlesex. It had been formed in June 1915 from Home Service personnel. Remained in UK throughout the war.
Battalions of the New Armies
11th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of K1 and came under command of 36th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division. Moved to Colchester, going on to Shorncliffe in November and in February 1915 went into Ramillies Barracks at Aldershot.
June 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
7 February 1918 : disbanded in France.
12th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of K2 and came under command of 54th Brigade in 18th (Eastern) Division. Moved to Colchester and then on to Codford in May 1915.
26 July 1915 : landed at Le Havre.
13 February 1918 : disbanded in France.
13th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Mill Hill in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under command of 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. Moved to the South Downs. Went to billets in Hove in December 1914 and thence to Shoreham in May 1915 and Pirbright in June.
2 September 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
14th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Gravesend in October 1914 for K4 and came under command of 93rd Brigade of original 31st Division. Moved to Halling in Kent.
10 April 1915 : converted into a reserve battalion. Moved in May 1915 to Colchester and went on in October to Shoreham.
1 September 1916 : converted into 24th Training Reserve Battalion of 5th Reserve Brigade at Shoreham.
15th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Gillingham in October 1914 for K4 and came under command of 93rd Brigade of original 31st Division. Moved to Snodland in Kent.
10 April 1915 : converted into a reserve battalion. Moved in May 1915 to Colchester and went on in October to Shoreham.
1 September 1916 : absorbed into the Training Reserve Battalions of 5th Reserve Brigade at Shoreham.
16th (Service) Battalion (Public Schools)
Formed in London on 1 September 1914 by Lt-Col. J.J.Mackay. Moved to Kempton Park racecourse, going on in December to Warlingham.
July 1915 : moved to Clipstone Camp and came under command of 100th Brigade in 33rd Division. Moved in August to Perham Down.
17 November 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
25 February 1916 : left Division and transferred to GHQ Troops.
25 April 1916 : transferred to 86th Brigade in 29th Division.
11 February 1918 : disbanded near Poperinghe in Belgium.
17th (Service) Battalion (1st Football)
Formed in London on 12 December 1914 by W. Joynson Hicks MP. Moved to White City, going on in April 1915 to Cranleigh.
July 1915 : moved to Clipstone Camp and came under command of 100th Brigade in 33rd Division. Moved in August to Perham Down.
18 November 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
8 December 1915 : transferred to 6th Brigade in 2nd Division.
10 February 1918 : disbanded in France.
18th (Service) Battalion (1st Public Works Pioneers)
Formed in London on 19 January 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. Moved to Alexandra Palace, going on in May 1915 to Rayleigh.
July 1915 : moved to Clipstone Camp and came under command of 33rd Division as Pioneer Battalion. Moved in August to Salisbury Plain.
15 November 1915 : landed at Le Havre.
19th (Service) Battalion (2nd Public Works Pioneers)
Formed in London in April 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. Moved to Hornsey.
July 1915 : moved to Aldershot and came under command of 41st Division as Pioneer Battalion.
2 May 1916 : landed at Le Havre.
November 1917 : moved with the Division to Italy but returned to France in March 1918.
20th (Service) Battalion (Shoreditch)
Formed in Shoreditch on 18 May 1915 by the Busby Bird, the Mayor of Shoreditch and a committee from the Borough.
The battalion initially trained at Victoria Park in Hackney and was accommodated at Columbia Market in Bethnal Green.
24 September 1915: began to move to Albuhera Barracks at Aldershot and came under command of 118th Brigade in 39th Division.
8 November 1915: moved to “C” Lines at Witley.
2 February 1916 : moved to Ramillies Barracks at Aldershot for rifle range training and returned to Witley on 14 February.
3 April 1916: moved to Pirbright and transferred to 121st Brigade in 40th Division.
6 June 1916 : landed in France.
6 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.
31 May 1918 : transferred to 16th (Irish) Division.
16 June 1918 : moved to Boulogne and transferred to 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. Crossed to England next day. Moved to Brookwood.
20 June 1918 : reconstituted by absorbing 34th Bn.
5 July 1918 : landed at Boulogne.
21st (Service) Battalion (Islington)
Formed in Islington on 18 May 1915 by the Mayor and Borough.
July 1915 : came under command of 118th Brigade in 39th Division. Moved to Aldershot in October.
February 1916 : moved to Witley and transferred to 121st Brigade in 40th Division.
June 1916 : landed in France.
5 February 1918 : transferred to 119th Brigade in same Division.
5 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.
3 June 1918 : transferred to 34th Division.
30 June 1918 : moved to Boulogne and transferred to 74th Brigade in 25th Division. Crossed to England next day. Moved to Aldershot. Left the Division and moved to Cromer.
22nd (Service) Battalion
Formed at Mill Hill in June 1915 as a Bantam Battalion.
October : moved to Aldershot and came under command of 121st Brigade in 40th Division. Moved to Witley in February 1916.
2 April 1916 : disbanded in England.
23rd (Service) Battalion (2nd Football)
Formed in London on 29 June 1915 by W. Joynson Hicks MP. Moved to Cranleigh.
November 1915 : moved to Aldershot and came under command of 123rd Brigade in 41st Division.
May 1916 : landed in France.
November 1917 : moved with the Division to Italy but returned to France in March 1918.
24th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Tring in October 1915 from the depot companies of 16th Bn. Moved to Northampton and in May 1916 on to Aldershot.
1 September 1916 : converted into 100th Training Reserve Battalion of 23rd Reserve Brigade at Aldershot.
25th (Public Works) (Reserve) Battalion
Formed from 9 August 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. Moved to Alexandra Park, Hornsey.
October 1915: now at Tring, the depot companies joined from 18th, 19th and 26th Public Works Battalions. Moved to Northampton and in May 1916 on to Aldershot.
1 September 1916 : converted into 25th (Garrison) Bn.
3 November 1916: transferred to 213th Brigade of 71st Division.
11 November 1916: converted into 25th Bn.
22 December 1916: left Brigade and sailed from Devonport, arriving Hong Kong 1 April 1917 although two companies were left at Singapore.
August 1918 : reassembled as a battalion and landed at Vladivostock on 3 August 1918.
Remained in Siberia until September 1919.
26th (Service) Battalion (3rd Public Works Pioneers)
Formed from 9 August 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. Moved to Alexandra Park, Hornsey, and later to Hornchurch and then Flixton Camp, Bungay.
29 October 1915: Ward and a detachment went to Rosyth in Scotland to receive a new regimental colour presented to the battalion by dockyard contractors Easton, Gibb & Son.
11 August 1916: departed for overseas service.
24 August 1916 : landed at Salonika and came under command of 27th Division as its Pioneer Battalion.
27th and 28th (Reserve) Battalions
Formed 1915 from the depot companies of 17th, 20th, 21st and 23rd Bns. Moved to Northampton in May 1916 on to Aldershot.
1 September 1916 : converted into 101st and 102nd Training Reserve Battalions of 23rd Reserve Brigade at Aldershot. 27th Bn later converted into 52nd (Graduated) Bn and 28th became 53rd (Young Soldier) Bn (see below).
Other Battalions
29th (Works) Battalion
Formed at Mill Hill on 29 June 1916. Possibly at Pease Pottage by August 1916. By March 1917 was at Thetford. In April 1917, transferred to the Labour Corps as 5th Labour Bn.
30th (Works) Battalion > Details
Formed at Crawley in July 1916. Moved to Reading where it then remained.
31st (Works) Battalion > Details
Formed at Mill Hill in September 1916. Moved to Sevenoaks, going on to Reigate, Harpenden and Croydon.
33rd (Works) Battalion
Formed at Mill Hill in January 1917. In April 1917, transferred to the Labour Corps as 6th Labour Bn.
34th Battalion
Formed at St Olaves (Lowestoft) on 1 June 1918 but absorbed by 20th Bn at Brookwood on 20 June.
1st (Home Service) Garrison Battalion
Formed at Mill Hill in May 1916. By August 1917 was at Chattenden. Converted into 16th Bn, the Royal Defence Corps.
51st (Graduated) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 209th Graduated Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 97th Battalion of the Training Reserve and up to September 1916 had been the 12th (Reserve) Battalion of the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). A training unit based at Taverham, it was part of 193rd Brigade in 64th (2nd Highland) Division. Moved to Norwich, went on to Sheringham in March 1918, then back to Taverham and was once again at Norwich by November 1918.
52nd (Graduated) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 250th Graduated Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 101st Battalion of the Training Reserve and up to September 1916 had been the 27th (Reserve) Battalion of the Middlesex (see above). A training unit based at Colchester, it was part of 212th Brigade in 71st Division. In February 1918 when 71st Division was broken up it went to 193rd Brigade of 64th (2nd Highland) Division at Norwich. By May 1918 it had moved to Taverham and was once again at Norwich by November 1918.
53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 102nd Young Soldier Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 28th (Reserve) Battalion of the Middlesex (see above). A basic recruit training unit based at Aldershot, it was part of 23rd Reserve Brigade.
Links
Enemy alien units of the Middlesex Regiment
Other British infantry regiments
Entrenching Battalions in 1918
Books
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