Although the British Army was the most mechanised of all in the Great War, it still relied largely on horse power for the transportation of supplies, guns, ammunition and men.The ASC Horse Transport Companies were of different types, in the following categories (click on title to go to table listing all units of that type):
Depot Companies
Companies in Divisional Trains
The Territorial Army Service Corps Divisional Transport and Supply Columns
The Territorial Army Service Corps Mounted Brigade Transport and Supply Columns
Companies under command of higher formations
Reserve Park Companies
Small Arms Ammunition Park Companies
Local Auxiliary Transport Companies
Army Auxiliary Transport Companies
Donkey Companies
The ASC HT Depots
No. 1 Reserve HT Depot: Park Royal, Willesden
No. 2 Reserve HT Depot: Blackheath
No. 3 HT Depot: Bradford
The ASC HT Depot Companies
The ASC Horse Transport Depot Companies filled a variety of administrative, recruitment, induction, training and re-supply roles. The Base Depots were based in the United Kingdom or at the port of entry to a theatre of war. Advanced Depots were located further up the lines of communication.
ASC Company | Remarks |
1 | Regular army. Used as depot and discharge centre. Based at Aldershot, Catterick, Bradford. |
2 | Regular army. Based at Woolwich. Also called No 3 Reserve HT Depot. |
3 | Regular army. Based at Bradford. Also called No 4 Reserve HT Depot. |
10 | Regular army. 1st Base Depot, based at Le Havre. |
14 | Regular army. 1st Advanced Depot, based at Rouen. |
52 | Regular army. Used as depot and discharge centre. Based at Aldershot, Catterick, Southport. |
137 | Formed in February 1915. 2nd Base Depot, based in Egypt. |
314 | Formed in April 1915. 2nd Advanced Depot. France. |
394 | Formed January 1915. 3rd Advanced Depot. Gallipoli, then Egypt. |
573 | Formed October 1915. 3rd Base Depot. Salonika. |
579 | Formed October 1915. 4th Advanced Depot. Salonika. |
661 | Formed April 1916. 1 Reserve Depot, based at Park Royal, London. |
662 | Formed April 1916. Reserve Depot, based at Park Royal, London. |
663 | Formed April 1916. Reserve Depot, based at Park Royal, London. |
664 | Formed April 1916. Reserve Depot, based at Park Royal, London. |
665 | Formed April 1916. Reserve Depot, based at Blackheath, London. |
666 | Formed April 1916. Reserve Depot, based at Blackheath, London. |
667 | Formed April 1916. Reserve Depot, based at Blackheath, London. |
668 | Formed April 1916. Reserve Depot, based at Blackheath, London. |
1045 | Formed November 1917. 6th Advanced Depot. Italy. |
1046 | Formed November 1917. 2nd Base Depot. Arquata, Italy. |
1062 | Formed January 1918. Depot for Irish Command. |
1122 | Formed November 1918 for service in North Russia. Mule transport depot. |
The ASC HT Companies in the Divisional Trains
Each Division of the army had a certain amount of transport under its own command, known as the Divisional Train. It was the ‘workhorse’ of the Division in terms of carrying stores and supplies, providing the main supply line to the transport of the brigades of infantry and artillery and other attached units. It initially comprised 26 officers and 402 other ranks of the Army Service Corps, looking after 378 horses, 17 carts, 125 wagons and 30 bicycles. These comprised a headquarters and 4 Horsed Transport Companies (one for each infantry Brigade and one for Divisional HQ and other troops). The Train moved with the Division. In all, there were 364 ASC Companies of this type.
ASC Company | Remarks |
4 | Pre-war. 5th Division. |
6 | Pre-war. 5th Division. |
7 | Pre-war. 1st Division. |
8 | Pre-war. Initially 19th Infantry Brigade train, then 2nd Division and later 33rd Division from November 1915, switched for 172 Company. |
11 | Pre-war. 2nd Division, moving with 4th Brigade to Guards Division in August 1915. |
13 | Pre-war. 1st Division. |
15 | Pre-war. 3rd Division. |
16 | Pre-war. 1st Division. |
17 | Pre-war. 6th Division. |
18 | Pre-war. 4th Division. |
19 | Pre-war. 6th Division. |
21 | Pre-war. 3rd Division. |
22 | Pre-war. 3rd Division. |
23 | Pre-war. 6th Division. |
24 | Pre-war. 6th Division. |
25 | Pre-war. 4th Division. |
27 | Pre-war. 1st Cavalry Division. |
28 | Pre-war. 2nd Division. |
29 | Pre-war. 3rd Division. |
31 | Pre-war. 2nd Division. |
32 | Pre-war. 4th Division. |
33 | Pre-war. 5th Division. |
35 | Pre-war. 2nd Division. |
36 | Pre-war. 1st Division. |
37 | Pre-war. 5th Division. |
38 | Pre-war. 4th Division. |
39 | Pre-war. 7th Division. |
40 | Pre-war. 7th Division. |
41 | Pre-war. 8th Division. |
42 | Pre-war. 7th Division. |
44 | Pre-war. 7th Division. |
84 | Formed October 1914. 8th Division. |
85 | Formed October 1914. 8th Division. |
86 | Formed September 1914. 7th Division. |
87 | Formed October 1914. 8th Division. |
95, 96, 97, 98 | Formed November 1914. 27th Division. Transferred to 55th Division 1 January 1916. |
100, 101, 102, 103 | Formed August 1914. 14th (Light) Division. |
104, 105, 106, 107 | Formed August 1914. 9th (Scottish) Division. |
108, 109, 110, 111 | Formed August 1914. 10th (Irish) Division. |
112, 113, 114, 115 | Formed August 1914. 11th (Northern) Division. This train did not sail for Gallipoli. It joined 26th Division 1 April 1916. |
116, 117, 118, 119 | Formed August 1914. 12th (Eastern) Division. |
120, 121, 122, 123 | Formed August 1914. 13th (Western) Division. This train did not sail for Gallipoli. It moved to Egypt in November 1915 and joined 28th Division. |
138, 139, 140, 141 | Formed October 1914. 15th (Scottish) Division. |
142, 143, 144, 145 | Formed October 1914. 16th (Irish) Division. |
146, 147, 148, 149 | Formed October 1914. 17th (Northern) Division. |
150, 151, 152, 153 | Formed October 1914. 18th (Eastern) Division. Embarked for France 24-25 July 1915. |
154, 155, 156, 157 | Formed October 1914. 19th (Western) Division. |
158, 159, 160, 161 | Formed October 1914. 20th (Light) Division. Embarked for France 22 July 1915. |
170, 171, 172, 173 | Originally pre-war units of 1st London Division. Moved to 28th Division in December 1914, then to 33rd Division in November 1915 when 28th sailed for Salonika. 172 Company switched with 8 Company in late November 1915. |
182, 183, 184, 185 | Formed November 1914. 21st Division. |
186, 187, 188, 189 | Formed November 1914. 22nd Division. November 1915 did not move to Salonika, but remained in France and moved to 30th Division. |
190, 191, 192, 193 | Formed November 1914. 23rd Division. |
194, 195, 196, 197 | Formed November 1914. 24th Division. |
198, 199, 200, 201 | Formed November 1914. 25th Division. |
202, 203, 204, 205 | Formed November 1914. 26th Division. Did not sail for Salonika with the rest of the Division in November 1915. Moved to join 32nd Division. |
213, 214, 215, 216 | Formed January 1915 for 30th Division but joined 56th (1st London) Division in France in February 1916. |
217, 218, 219, 220 | Formed January 1915 for 31st Division with which it moved to Egypt, but when the Division moved to France it stayed, and was transferred to 52nd (Lowland) Division. Later, it moved to the North Persia Force as part of 13th (Western) Division. |
221, 222, 223, 224 | Formed January 1915 for 32nd Division but when the Division moved to France in November 1915 it stayed in England. It moved independently to France in March 1916, less 224 Company and was transferred to 31st Division. |
225, 226, 277, 228 | Formed January 1915. 33rd Division. Embarked for France 12 November 1915, but transferred in March 1916 to 29th Division. |
229, 230, 231, 232 | Formed January 1915. 34th Division. |
233, 234, 235, 236 | Formed January 1915. 35th Division. |
246, 247, 248, 249 | This was originally the Wessex Divisional Train from the Wessex Division. After seeing action in Gallipoli with 29th Division which it joined in February 1915, it transferred in Egypt to 53rd (Welsh) Division in March 1916. |
251, 252, 253, 254 | Formed at Enniskillen in November 1914. 36th (Ulster) Division. |
284, 295, 286, 287 | Formed March 1915. 39th Division. |
288, 289, 290, 291 | Formed March 1915. 37th Division. |
292, 293, 294, 295 | Formed March 1915. 40th Division. |
296, 297, 298, 299 | Formed March 1915. 41st Division. |
330, 331, 332, 333 | Formed April 1915. 38th (Welsh) Division. |
424 | Formed October 1914. 2nd Cavalry Division. |
426 | Formed December 1914. 1st Indian Cavalry Division. |
427 | Formed December 1914. 2nd Indian Cavalry Division. |
428, 429, 430, 431 | Formed January 1915 for 3rd (Lahore) Division. Transferred to 54th (East Anglian) Division in Egypt in February 1917. Renumbered 921, 922, 923 and 924 Companies in April 1917. |
432, 433, 434, 435 | Formed January 1915 for 7th (Meerut) Division. |
436 | Formed July 1915. Guards Division. |
437, 438, 439, 440 | Formed February 1915. 1st Canadian Division. |
447, 448, 449, 450 | Pre-war. Redesignated from the East Lancs Divisional Transport and Supply Column, 17 January 1916. Remained in Egypt when Division moved to France, and in March 1917 it briefly joined 53rd (Welsh) Division. However in April 1917 it moved to 74th (Yeomanry) Division. |
451, 452, 453, 454 | Pre-war. 46th (North Midland) Division. |
455, 456, 457, 458 | Pre-war. 47th (2nd London) Division. |
459, 460, 461, 462 | Pre-war. 48th (South Midland) Division. |
463, 464, 465, 466 | Pre-war. 49th (West Riding) Division. |
467, 468, 469, 470 | Pre-war. 50th (Northumbrian) Division. |
471, 472, 473, 474 | Pre-war. 51st (Highland) Division. |
475, 476, 477, 478 | Pre-war. 52nd (Lowland) Division. This Train was transferred to 10th (Irish) Division in October 1915. |
479, 480, 481, 482 | Pre-war. 53rd (Welsh) Division. This Train did not embark for Gallipoli, and was transferred to 11th (Northern) Division in June 1916. |
483, 484, 485, 486 | Pre-war. 54th (East Anglian) Division. This Train did not embark for Gallipoli, and was transferred to 27th Division in February 1916. |
501, 502, 503, 504 | Pre-war. 45th (2nd Wessex) Division. This Train remained at home. |
505, 506, 507, 508 | Formed September 1915. 55th (West Lancashire) Division. This train remained at home when the units of the Division moved to France. It was transferred to the 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division. |
509, 510, 511, 512 | Formed September 1915. 58th (2/1st London) Division. |
513, 514, 515, 516 | Formed September 1915. 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. |
517, 518, 519, 520 | Formed September 1914. 60th (2/2nd London) Division. |
521, 522, 523, 524 | Formed September 1914. 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. |
525, 526, 527, 528 | Formed September 1915. 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. |
529, 530, 531, 532 | Formed September 1915. 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division. Remained at home. |
533, 534, 535, 536 | Formed September 1915. 64th (2nd Highland) Division. Remained at home. |
537, 538, 539, 540 | Formed September 1915. 65th (2nd Lowland) Division. Remained at home. |
541, 542, 543, 544 | Formed September 1915. 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. |
545, 546, 547, 548 | Formed November 1915. 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division. Remained at home. |
549, 550, 551, 552 | Formed November 1915. 68th (2nd Welsh) Division. Remained at home. |
553, 554, 555, 556 | Formed November 1915. 69th (2nd East Anglian) Division. Remained at home. |
672, 673, 674, 675 | Formed June 1916. 2nd Canadian Division. |
676, 677, 678, 679 | Formed June 1916. 3rd Canadian Division. |
741, 742, 743, 744 | Formed June 1916. 1st Australian Division. Renumbered as 1, 2, 3 and 4 Companies Australian ASC in 1918. |
745, 746, 747, 748 | Formed June 1916. 2nd Australian Division. Renumbered as 20, 15, 16 and 17 Companies Australian ASC in 1918. |
749, 750, 751, 752 | Formed June 1916. New Zealand Division. |
753, 754, 755, 756 | Formed June 1916. 4th Australian Division. Renumbered as 14, 7, 26 and 27 Companies Australian ASC in 1918. |
757, 758, 759, 760 | Formed June 1916. 5th Australian Division. Renumbered as 10, 18, 28, 29 Companies Australian ASC in 1918. |
761, 762, 763, 764 | Formed July 1916. 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. |
794, 795, 796, 797 | Formed July 1916. 4th Canadian Division. |
821, 822, 823, 824 | Formed October 1916. 71st Division. Remained at home. |
825, 826, 827, 828 | Formed October 1916. 72nd Division. Remained at home. |
829, 830, 831, 832 | 829 was previously 9th Provisional HT Company ASC. Others formed November 1916. 73rd Division. Remained at home until disbanded by 8 April 1918.. |
833, 834 | Formed January 1917. 221st and 222nd Infantry Brigade Trains. Remained at home. |
835, 836, 837, 838 | Formed January 1917. 64th (2nd Highland) Division. Remained at home. |
837 | Formed January 1917. 68th (2nd Welsh) Division. Remained at home. |
838, 839 | Formed January 1917. 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division. Remained at home. |
867, 868, 869, 870 | Formed November 1916. 3rd Australian Division. Renumbered as 22, 23, 24 and 25 Companies Australian ASC in 1918. |
921, 922, 923, 924 | Renumbered from 428-431 Companies in January 1917. |
925, 926, 927, 928 | Formed April 1917. 75th Division. |
991, 992, 993, 994 | Formed August 1917. Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division. |
995, 996, 997, 998 | Formed August 1917. Australian Mounted Division. |
999, 1000, 1001, 1002 | Formed August 1917. Yeomanry Mounted Division. |
1103, 1104, 1105 | Formed May 1918. 2nd Mounted Division. |
1106 | Formed May 1918. 20th (Gharwal) Brigade (Indian infantry brigade). |
1152 | Formed March 1919. Special Brigade in North Russia. Mule transport. |
1153 | Formed March 1919. North Russia. Mule transport. |
The ASC HT Companies under command of higher formations
In a similar role to the Companies of the Divisional Trains, but under command of a Corps or an Army and thus forming part of the Lines of Communication. See also the Army Auxiliary HT Companies
ASC Company | Remarks |
26 | Pre-war. GHQ Troops in France. |
124 | Formed August 1914. GHQ Troops in France, it eventually moved to the Guards Divisional Train. |
168 | Formed October 1914. GHQ Troops in France, it eventually moved to the Guards Divisional Train. |
206 | Formed December 1914, Army Troops Home Forces. |
1123 | Formed September 1918. L of C Troops in North Russia. |
The ASC HT Reserve Park Companies
The ASC Horsed Transport Reserve Park Companies were a transport element in the lines of communication in the deep rear behind the battle fronts, notably in handling the rations and forage for a division. Many of the Reserve Parks in France were converted into Army Auxiliary HT Companies in 1917 and 1918. “GHQ Troops” means units at the disposal of the General Headquarters of the British Expeditionary Force in France, rather than under the command of a subordinate formation.
ASC Company | Remarks |
9 | Pre-war. Served as 1 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
12 | Pre-war. Served as 5 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
20 | Pre-war. Served as 4 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
30 | Pre-war. Served as 2 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
34 | Pre-war. Served as 3 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
43 | Pre-war. Served as 7 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
88 | Formed at Aldershot 7 October 1914. Served as 8 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. To France 10November 1914. |
99 | Formed November 1914. Served as 27 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
125 | Formed September 1914. Served as 9 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
126 | Formed September 1914. Served as 10 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. Absorbed into 5 Cavalry Reserve Park in June 1917. |
127 | Formed October 1914. Served as 11 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
128 | Formed September 1914. Served as 12 Reserve Park. Did not proceed to France but was later converted into 19 Auxiliary HT Company and sent to Salonika. |
130 | Formed September 1914. Served as 14 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
162 | Formed November 1914. Served as 15 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. Became 15 Army Auxiliary HT Company on 31 May 1918. |
163 | Formed November 1914. Served as 16 Reserve Park. Did not proceed to France but was later converted into 18 Auxiliary HT Company and sent to Salonika. |
164 | Formed November 1914. Served as 17 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
165 | Formed November 1914. Served as 18 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
166 | Formed November 1914. Served as 19 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
167 | Formed November 1914. Served as 20 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
174 | Formed November 1914. Served as 28 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. Later became 3 Cavalry Reserve Park. |
207 | Formed December 1914. Served as 21 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
208 | Formed December 1914. Served as 22 Reserve Park. Did not proceed to France but was later converted into 12 Auxiliary HT Company and sent to Salonika. |
209 | Formed December 1914. Served as 23 Reserve Park. Did not proceed to France but was later converted into 13 Auxiliary HT Company and sent to Salonika. |
210 | Formed December 1914. Served as 24 Reserve Park. Later converted into a Brigade Supply Column for 7th Mounted Brigade, and saw service in Salonika and Turkey. |
211 | Formed December 1914. Served as 25 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
212 | Formed December 1914. Served as 26 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
237 | Formed April 1915. Served as 44 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
238 | Formed February 1915. Served as 37 Reserve Park. Was later converted into 14 Auxiliary HT Company and sent to Salonika. |
239 | Formed February 1915. Served as 38 Reserve Park. Remained at home, although was formed for Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. |
240 | Formed February 1915. Served as 39 Reserve Park. Remained at home (Cannock Chase), although was formed for Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. |
241 | Formed February 1915. Served as 40 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
242 | Formed February 1915. Served as 41 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
243 | Formed February 1915. Served as 42 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
255 | Formed May 1915. Served as 30 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
308 | Formed April 1915. Served as 45 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
309 | Formed April 1915. Served as 35 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
310 | Formed April 1915. Served as 33 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops in France. |
311 | Formed April 1915. Served as 36 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
312 | Formed January 1915. Served as 43 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
334 | Formed April 1915. Served as 31 Reserve Park, GHQ Troops, and later Fourth Army Troops, in France. |
362 | Formed May 1915. Served as 34 Reserve Park. Was later converted into 21 Auxiliary HT Company and sent to Salonika. |
487 | Formed January 1916. Served as 50 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
488 | Formed January 1916. Served as 51 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
489 | Formed January 1916. Served as 52 Reserve Park. Remained at home. Located at Tunbridge Wells. |
490 | Formed January 1916. Served as 53 Reserve Park. Remained at home. |
The ASC HT Small Arms Ammunition Park Companies
An unusual type of unit responsible for storage and transport of small arms ammunition .
ASC Company | Remarks |
270 | Formed February 1915 for the Royal Naval Division. Later served as Army Troops in Salonika. |
275 | Formed March 1915 for the Royal Naval Division. |
276 | Formed March 1915 for the Royal Naval Division. |
The ASC HT Local Auxiliary Companies
A unit responsible for local transport services, mainly at home.
ASC Company | Remarks |
280 | Formed March 1915. 1st Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Rouen. |
281 | Formed March 1915. 2nd Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Le Havre. |
351 | Formed March 1915. 3rd Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Bulford. |
361 | Formed May 1915. 4th Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Marseilles. |
372 | Formed June 1915. 5th Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Boulogne. |
572 | Formed October 1915. Station Staff Company. Based at Aldershot. |
580 | Formed December 1915. 7th Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Aldershot. |
671 | Formed June 1916. 9th Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Ismailia, Egypt. |
728 | Formed June 1916. Served the RE Signal Service Training Centre at Hitchin. |
798 | Formed January 1917. 15th Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Salonika. |
799 | Formed January 1917. 16th Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Salonika. |
800 | Formed January 1917. 17th Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Salonika. |
879 | Formed April 1917. 22nd Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Calais and Dunkirk. |
900 | Formed May 1917. 23rd Auxiliary HT Company. Based at Ramleh. |
929 | Formed July 1917. 25th Auxiliary HT Company. Based in France. |
930 | Formed May 1917. 24th Auxiliary HT Company. Based in Alexandria, Egypt. |
1005 | Formed August 1917. Local HT Company. Based in Malta. |
1021 | Formed October 1917. Local HT Company. Based at Bridge of Allan. |
1022 | Formed October 1917. Local HT Company. Based at Aberdeen. |
1107 | Formed July 1918. West Lancs Reserve Brigade TF, based at Blackheath |
1108 | Formed July 1918. Welsh Reserve Brigade TF, based at Herne Bay |
1109 | Formed July 1918. 2nd London Reserve Brigade TF, based at Bungay, then King’s Lynn and later Aldershot |
1110 | Formed July 1918. Army Troops in Mesopotamia |
1121 | Formed July 1918. West Riding Reserve Brigade TF, based at Woodbridge and later Southend |
1151 | Formed March 1919. Based at Deptford for Supply Reserve Depot |
1160 | Formed July 1919. Army Troops in North Russia (Murmansk) |
1161, 1162 | Based at Deptford, details unknown |
1163 | Based at Woolwich, details unknown |
The ASC HT Auxiliary Companies formed for the Armies
A unit responsible for miscellaneous transport services, under command of an Army or other formation HQ in the field.
ASC Company | Remarks |
425 | Formed May 1915. First Army Auxiliary HT Company. |
443 | Formed September 1915. Second Army Auxiliary HT Company. |
571 | Formed September 1915. Third Army Auxiliary HT Company. |
574 | Formed September 1915. 1st Cavalry Division Auxiliary HT Company. |
575 | Formed September 1915. 2nd Cavalry Division Auxiliary HT Company. |
576 | Formed September 1915. 3rd Cavalry Division Auxiliary HT Company. |
577 | Formed September 1915. 1st Indian Cavalry Division Auxiliary HT Company. |
578 | Formed September 1915. 2nd Indian Cavalry Division Auxiliary HT Company. |
1047 | Formed November 1917. 6th Army Auxiliary HT Company (for Italy). |
The ASC Donkey Companies
Formed for the special conditions of the Palestine theatre of operations.
ASC Company | Remarks |
1 Donkey Coy | Formed October 1917. GHQ Troops in Palestine. 762 donkeys on establishment |
2 Donkey Coy | Formed October 1917. GHQ Troops in Palestine, attached to 10th (Irish) Division |
3 Donkey Coy | Formed December 1917. GHQ Troops in Palestine. |