Regimental Depot
Ladysmith Barracks (formerly Wellington Barracks), Ashton-under-Lyne
Battalions of the Regular Army
1st Battalion
August 1914 : in Dalhousie with detachments at Amritsar and Jullundur, India. Part of the 8th (Jullundur) Brigade in 3rd (Lahore) Division. This division left India on 29 August 1914 as part of the Indian Corps and moved to France, landing at Marseilles on 26 September 1914. The battalion left Karachi on the P&O ship “Edavara” and went via Suez and Cairo. It served on the Western Front until leaving France on 10 December 1915, whereupon it moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on 8 January 1916. The division moved to Egypt in March 1918 and later moved into Palestine.
2nd Battalion
August 1914 : at the Curragh. Part of 14th Brigade in 5th Division.
17 August 1914 ; landed at Le Havre.
30 December 1915 : moved with the Brigade to 32nd Division.
6 February 1918 : transferred to 96th Brigade in same Division.
3rd (Reserve) Battalion
August 1914 : at Ashton-under-Lyne. A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to the Humber defences at Cleethorpes.
4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
August 1914 : at Ashton-under-Lyne. A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to the Humber defences at Riby. Later moved to Tetney and then Grimsby, all as part of Humber Garrison.
The badge of the regiment as depicted on a CWG war grave headstone. From the website Epsom and Ewell History, with my thanks.
Battalions of the Territorial Force
1/5th Battalion
August 1914 : in Bank Chambers, Wigan. Part of Manchester Brigade, East Lancashire Division. Moved to near Rochdale.
25 September 1914 : landed at Alexandria in Egypt.
6 May 1915 : landed on Gallipoli.
26 May 1915 : formation became 127th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division.
28 December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli, landed on Mudros and proceeded to Egypt.
2March 1917 : landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front.
1/6th Battalion
August 1914 : in Stretford Road, Hulme. Part of Manchester Brigade, East Lancashire Division.
Record same as 1/5th Bn.
1/7th Battalion
August 1914 : in Burlington Street, Manchester. Part of Manchester Brigade, East Lancashire Division.
Record same as 1/5th Bn.
1/8th (Ardwick) Battalion
August 1914 : in Ardwick. Part of Manchester Brigade, East Lancashire Division.
Record same as 1/5th Bn.
19 february 1918 : transferred to 126th Brigade in same Division.
1/9th Battalion
August 1914 : in Ashton-under-Lyne. Part of East Lancashire Brigade, East Lancashire Division. Moved to near Bury.
25 September 1914 : landed at Alexandria in Egypt.
10 May 1915 : landed on Gallipoli.
26 May 1915 : formation became 126th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division.
Late December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli, landed on Mudros and proceeded to Egypt.
2 March 1917 : landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front.
19 February 1918 : transferred to 198th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, absorbing 2/9th Bn and renamed as 9th Battalion.
April 1918 : reduced to cadre.
22 July 1918 : transferred to 199th Brigade in same Division. Absorbed 13th Bn, newly arrived from Salonika, on 13 August 1918.
1/10th Battalion
August 1914 : in Oldham. Part of East Lancashire Brigade, East Lancashire Division.
Record same as 1/9th Bn but remained in 126th Brigade from February 1918 onward.
2/5th Battalion
Formed at Wigan in August 1914 as a second line unit. In November 1914 was placed under command of 199th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and was located at Southport. Moved to Crowborough in May 1915, went on to Colchester in March 1916.
February 1917 : landed in France.
April 1918 : reduced to cadre.
31 July 1918 : disbanded in France.
2/6th Battalion
Formed at Manchester in August 1914 as a second line unit. Record same as 2/5th Bn.
2/7th Battalion
Formed at Manchester in August 1914 as a second line unit. Record same as 2/5th Bn.
2/8th (Ardwick) Battalion
Formed at Ardwick in August 1914 as a second line unit. Record same as 2/5th Bn.
13 February 1918 : disbanded in France.
2/9th Battalion
Formed at Ashton-under-Lyne in August 1914 as a second line unit. In November 1914 was placed under command of 198th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. Moved to Crowborough in May 1915, went on to Colchester in March 1916.
February 1917 : landed in France.
19 February 1918 : absorbed into 1/9th Bn and ceased to exist.
2/10th Battalion
Formed at Oldham in August 1914 as a second line unit. Record same as 2/9th Bn.
15 February 1918 : disbanded in France.
3/5th, 3/6th and 3/7th Battalions
Formed at home bases in May (3/5th) and March 1915. Moved to Southport and went on in early 1916 to Witley.
8 April 1916 : became 5th, 6th and 7th Reserve Bns.
1 September 1916 : 6th and 7th Bns absorbed into 5th Bn. Moved to Southport in October 1916, going on to Ripon in January 1917 and then Scarborough in July 1917. 5th was at Hunmanby Camp near Filey in late 1918.
3/8th, 3/9th and 3/10th Battalions
Formed at home bases in March 1915. Moved in early 1916 to Witley.
8 April 1916 : became 8th, 9th and 10th Reserve Bns.
1 September 1916 : 9th and 10th Bns absorbed into 8th Bn. Moved to Southport in October 1916, going on to Ripon in January 1917, Hunmanby in July 1917 and then Filey in April 1918.
28th Battalion
On 1 January 1917, the 45th Provisional Bn became 28th Manchesters TF. 45th had been formed from Home Service personnel from the TF Bns of the regiment. Was at Margate in Kent in 1916. Came under command of 219th Bde in 73rd Division. Remained in UK until disbanded in March 1918 (some sources say November 1918).
Battalions of the New Armies
11th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Ashton-under-Lyne in August 1914 as part of K1 and came under orders of 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division.
Moved in April 1915 to Witley Camp near Godalming in Surrey.
30 June 1915 : sailed from Liverpool, going via Mudros to Suvla bay, disembarking on 6 August 1915.
9 September 1915: first reinforcement draft joined from England.
15 December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Mudros and then went on to Imbros.
30 January 1916: arrived at Alexandria in Egypt.
8 July 1916 : arrived at Marseilles in France.
12th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Ashton-under-Lyne in September 1914 as part of K2 and came under orders of 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division.
Moved to Wimborne in January 1915 and in May 1915 went on to Hursley Park.
17 July 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
24 September 1917 : absorbed HQ and two squadrons of the dismounted Duke of Lancaster’s Yeomanry.
13th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Ashton-under-Lyne in September 1914, as part of K3 and attached as Army Troops to 25th Division. Moved to Seaford.
October 1914 : transferred to 66th Brigade in 22nd Division. Moved to billets in Eastbourne in November and returned to Seaford in March 1915. Went on to Aldershot in May.
September 1915 : landed in France.
October 1915 : moved to Salonika.
22 June 1918 : left the Division and returned to France, arriving at Abancourt on 11 July 1918.
21 July 1918 : attached to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.
30 July 1918 : absorbed the 17th Bn.
13 August 1918 : absorbed into the 1/9th Bn.
14th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Lichfield in October 1914 for K3 but soon moved to K4 and came under orders of 91st Brigade of original 30th Division.
10 April 1915 : converted into a reserve battalion. Moved in January 1916 to Brocton on Cannock Chase.
1 September 1916 : converted into 14th Training Reserve Battalion of 3rd Reserve Brigade at Brocton.
No 15th Battalion was formed.
16th (Service) Battalion (1st City)
Formed in Manchester on 28 August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially established at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where placed under command of 90th Brigade in 30th Division. Moved on to Larkhill in September 1915.
6 November 1915 : landed in France.
13 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.
18 June 1918 : moved to Boulogne and transferred to 42nd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. Returned to England and moved to Cowshott. Reconstituted by absorbing 29th Bn.
4 July 1918 : returned to France.
17th (Service) Battalion (2nd City)
Formed in Manchester on 28 August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Record same as 16th Bn.
11 February 1918 : transferred to 21st Brigade in same 30th Division.
15 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.
19 June 1918 : attached to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.
30 July 1918 : absorbed into 13th Bn and ceased to exist.
18th (Service) Battalion (3rd City)
Formed in Manchester on 28 August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Record same as 16th Bn.
20 February 1918 : disbanded at Haut Allaines.
19th (Service) Battalion (4th City)
Formed in Manchester on 28 August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Record same as 16th Bn.
21 December 1915 : transferred to 21st Brigade in same Division.
6 February 1918 : disbanded in France.
20th (Service) Battalion (5th City)
Formed in Manchester on 8 November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Moved to Morecambe.
April 1915 : moved to Grantham and placed under command of 91st Brigade in 30th Division. Moved to Larkhill in September 1915.
November 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
20 December 1915 : Brigade transferred to 7th Division and Bn then transferred to 22nd Brigade in same Division.
November 1917 : moved with Division to Italy.
13 September 1918 : left Division and returned to France. On arrival joined 7th Brigade in 25th Division.
21st (Service) Battalion (6th City)
Formed in Manchester on 13 November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Moved to Morecambe in January 1915.
April 1915 : moved to Grantham and placed under command of 91st Brigade in 30th Division. Moved to Larkhill in September 1915.
Early November 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
20 December 1915 : Brigade transferred to 7th Division.
November 1917 : moved with Division to Italy.
13 September 1918 : left Division and returned to France. On arrival joined 7th Brigade in 25th Division.
22nd (Service) Battalion (7th City)
Formed in Manchester on 21 November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Moved to Morecambe in January 1915.
April 1915 : moved to Grantham and placed under command of 91st Brigade in 30th Division. Moved to Larkhill in September 1915.
Early November 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
20 December 1915 : Brigade transferred to 7th Division.
November 1917 : moved with Division to Italy.
23rd (Service) Battalion (8th City)
Formed in Manchester on 21 November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City as a Bantam Battalion. Moved to Morecambe in December 1914.
June 1915 : moved to Masham and placed under command of 104th Brigade in 35th Division. Moved to salisbury Plain in August 1915.
January 1916 : landed at Boulogne.
Ceased to be a Bantam Battalion early in 1917.
16 February 1918 : disbanded in France.
24th (Service) Battalion (Oldham)(Pioneers)
Formed in Oldham on 24 October 1914 by the Mayor and Town. Moved to Llanfairfechan in March 1915.
April 1915 : moved to Grantham and placed under command of 91st Brigade in 30th Division. Moved to Larkhill in September 1915.
Early November 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
20 December 1915 : Brigade transferred to 7th Division and Bn transferred to 22nd Brigade in same Division.
22 May 1916 ; converted into Pioneer Battalion, left Brigade and came under command of 7th Division.
November 1917 : moved with Division to Italy.
25th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed in September 1915 from the depot companies of 16th, 17th and 18th Bns. Moved to Prees Heath in November, went on to Southport next month and in May 1916 on to Altcar.
1 September 1916 : converted into 69th Training Reserve Battalion of 16th Reserve Brigade at Altcar.
26th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed in September 1915 from the depot companies of 19th, 20th and 21st Bns. Movements same as 25th Bn.
1 September 1916 : converted into 70th Training Reserve Battalion of 16th Reserve Brigade at Altcar.
27th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed in September 1915 from the depot companies of 22nd, 23rd and 24th Bns. Movements same as 25th Bn.
1 September 1916 : converted into 71st Training Reserve Battalion of 16th Reserve Brigade at Altcar.
Other Battalions
29th Battalion
Formed at Walsham on 1 June 1918 but absorbed into 16th Bn at Aldershot in same month.
1st Garrison Battalion
Formed at Knowsley Park in September 1915. Moved to India in February 1916, where it then remained.
2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion
Formed at Knowsley Park in February 1916. Disbanded around February 1917.
51st (Graduated) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 225th Graduated Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 50th Battalion of the Training Reserve and up to September 1916 had been the 14th (Reserve) Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. A training unit based at Halesworth, it was part of 203rd Brigade in 68th Division. Moved to Yarmouth in winter and by May 1918 was at Herringfleet.
52nd (Graduated) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 229th Graduated Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 51st Battalion of the Training Reserve and up to September 1916 had been the 10th (Reserve) Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment. A training unit based at Southwold, it was part of 203rd Brigade in 68th Division. Moved to Yarmouth in winter and by May 1918 was at Herringfleet.
53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 74th Young Soldier Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 17th (Reserve) Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. A basic recruit training unit based at Prees Heath, it was part of 14th Reserve Brigade. Moved to Kinmel Park in late 1917.
1 March 1919: paraded in Hyde Park for inspection by HM King George V. Two days later, departed Crowborough by train for Dover.
4 March 1919: Arrived at Dunkirk. Strength 39 officers and 800 other ranks. Proceeded to No 4 Rest Camp. Next day, entrained. Halts made at Merris, Ghisenghien. Carried on next day, halting at Huy, Charleroi and Verviers.
7 March 1919: Arrived at Buehl, near Bonn. Marched to Menden and billeted.
19 June 1919: Moved to Niederpleis.
1 July 1919: Moved to Birlinghoven.
5 August 1919: Took over Hennef sector of the “front”.
30 September 1919: Reorganised on a 3-Company basis.
24 October 1919: Battalion disbanded and all personnel transferred to 51st and 52nd Battalions.
Links
Other British infantry regiments
42nd (East Lancashire) Division
66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division