These units were raised in September 1914 as reserves (“second line”) to the four brigades under command of the West Lancashire Division. They were originally known as the 2/1st, 2/2nd, and 2/3rd West Lancashire Brigades RFA and later as 285, 286 and 287 Brigades RFA. The divisional structure was duplicated and these brigades came under orders of the 2nd West Lancashire Division, which was evetually renamed as the 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division. A 2/4th Brigade was also raised but was broken up before the division proceeded overseas. After initially assembling at Weeton in Lancashire, the brigades moved to concentrate with the rest of the division near Canterbury in Kent in the period 16-19 September 1915. Training was seriously delayed by lack of equipment. The brigades eventually moved to Deepcut.
CCLXXXV (2/1st West Lancashire)
- The 2/1st West Lancashire Brigade RFA TF was based at Windsor Barracks, Spekeland Street, Liverpool. It comprised a headquarters, the 2/1st, 2/2nd and 2/3rd Lancashire Batteries and the Brigade Ammunition Column.
- December 1915: each battery of the the brigade was equipped with 18-pounder field guns. This was brought up to six guns before the brigade eventually went to France.
- July 1916: 2/7th Lancashire (Howitzer) Battery joined from 2/4th Lancashire Brigade and was renamed as D (Howitzer) Battery.
- 15 January 1917: a two-howitzer section from D (Howitzer) Battery of 287 Brigade joined and brought D (Howitzer) Battery up to six.
- 7 February 1917: brigade landed at Le Havre in France.
CCLXXVI (2/2nd West Lancashire)
- The 2/2nd West Lancashire Brigade RFA TF was based at the Drill Hall on Stanley Street, Preston. It comprised a headquarters, the 2/9th, 2/10th and 2/11th Lancashire Batteries and the Brigade Ammunition Column. The 2/9th Battery and Ammunition Column were also at Preston; the 2/10th Battery was at Lancaster, the 2/11th at Blackpool and Bamber Bridge.
- December 1915: each battery of the the brigade was equipped with four 18-pounder field guns. This was brought up to six guns before the brigade eventually went to France.
- July 1916: 2/8th Lancashire (Howitzer) Battery joined from 2/4th Lancashire Brigade and was renamed as D (Howitzer) Battery.
- 15 January 1917: a two-howitzer section from D (Howitzer) Battery of 287 Brigade joined and brought D (Howitzer) Battery up to six.
- 9 February 1917: brigade landed at Le Havre in France.
CCLXXVII (2/3rd West Lancashire)
- The 2/3rd West Lancashire Brigade RFA TF was based at 65 Admiral Street, Liverpool. It comprised a headquarters, the 2/12th, 2/13th and 2/14th Lancashire Batteries and the Brigade Ammunition Column.
- December 1915: each battery of the the brigade was equipped with four 18-pounder field guns. This was brought up to six guns before the brigade eventually went to France.
- Date and details unknown: C Battery became a Howitzer Battery and a D (Howitzer) Battery joined [I will add this detail if I ever locate it]
- 9 February 1917: the brigade landed at Le Havre in France.
- 13-20 February 1917: brigade broken up. Brigade HQ went to the Divisional Ammunition Column; A Battery left to become C Battery of 175 Brigade; B Battery left to become C Battery of 293 Brigade (Third Army); two-howitzer sections of C (Howitzer) Battery went to the D (Howitzer) Batteries of 285 and 286 Brigades respectively; two-howitzer sections of D (Howitzer) Battery went to the D (Howitzer) Batteries of 295 and 330 Brigades respectively.
2/4th West Lancashire (Howitzer)
- The 2/4th West Lancashire Brigade RFA TF was based at Edge Lane, Liverpool. It comprised a headquarters, the 2/7th and 2/8th Lancashire (Howitzer) Batteries and the Brigade Ammunition Column.
- January 1916: each battery of the the brigade was equipped with four 4.5-inch hoitzers.
- July 1916: the brigade was broken up, with the two batteries becoming the D (Howitzer) Batteries of 285 and 286 Brigades respectively.
57th Divisional Ammunition Column
- Served throughout
Other artillery under command of the division
- The four “first line” brigades, the 1/1st, 1/2nd, 1/3rd and 1/4th, were also placed under command of the 2nd West Lancashire Division in April 1915 but left it in the period 27-30 September 1915.
- 2/1st Lancashire Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, joined 26 November 1915 but left to go independently to France. It landed at Le Havre 1 July 1916.
- IV Portuguese Field Artillery Brigade served under command of the division between 17 October and 1 November 1918.
Links
The Batteries and Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery