British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division
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This military division was formed on April 1, 1908 as the West Riding Division in the Territorial Force of the British Army. In 1915, it was designated the 49th (West Riding) Division, and it fought during World War I in France and Flanders. After the war, it remained with the Northern Command, containing the 146th, 147th, and 148th Brigades (1st, 2nd, and 3rd West Riding Brigades, respectively). It remained based in the United Kingdom until June 1944, when it moved to Northwest Europe under the command of XXX Corps. Throughout the rest of World War II, it was reorganized frequently, and was under the command of the I Corps, the II Canadian Corps, and the I Canadian Corps.
The division was disbanded (in Germany) in 1946, but reformed in the Territorial Army (in 1947), having been renamed the 49th (West Riding) Armoured Division. It was based in Nottingham, consisting of (on April 1, 1947):
- 8 (Yorkshire) Armoured Brigade
- 146 (West Riding) Infantry Brigade
- 147 (Midland) Lorried Infantry Brigade
In 1956, it was renamed the 49th (West Riding and Midland) Infantry Division, its base moved to Leeds, and the 8th Armoured Brigade was removed from its order of battle. Finally, it underwent its last major change in 1961, when it was renamed to the 49th (West Riding and North Midland) Division/District, and the 147th Infantry Brigade was removed from its composition. The unit finally disbanded in 1967.
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World War II
Composition
- 49 Reconnaissance Regiment, RAC
- 228, 229, 230, 294, 756, 757 Field Company, RE
- 231 & 289 Field Park Company, RE
- 23 Bridging Platoon, RE
- 49 Divisional Signals, RSC
- 69, 70, 71, 74, 79, 80, 143, 178, 185 Field Regiment, RA
- 55, 58, 88 Anti-Tank Regiment, RA
- 89, 118 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA
- 2nd Battalion, The Kensington Regiment (M.G.)
Brigades:
- 146th Infantry Brigade (1939-1945)
- 147th Infantry Brigade (1939-1945)
- 148th Infantry Brigade (1939-Apr 1940)
- 1/5th Leicestershire Regt
- 1/5th Sherwood Foresters
- 8th Foresters
- 2nd South Wales Borderers
- 70th Infantry Brigade (May 1942-Aug 1944)
- 56th Infantry Brigade (Aug 1944-1945)
Commanders
Dates in American form (mm.dd.yyyy) indicating the date they entered the command (or resumed command when there are multiple dates).
- Maj. Gen. Pierse J. Mackesy - 09.03.1939
- Maj. Gen. Harry O. Curtis - 06.10.1940
- Brig. Neville P. Procter - 04.12.1943 (Acting)
- Maj. Gen. Sir Evelyn W. Barker - 04.30.1943
- Maj. Gen. Sir Gordon H.A. MacMillan - 11.30.1944, 02.06.1945
- Brig. R.H. Senior - 01.27.1945 & 03.24.1945 (Acting)
- Maj. Gen. Stuart B. Rawlins - 03.28.1945, 04.27.1945
- Brig. Edward N. Crosse - 04.18.1945 (Acting)
- Brig. H. Wood - 08.23.1945 (Acting)
Sources
- Regiments.org Summary and Lineage (http://www.regiments.org/milhist/uk/form-div/div49inf.htm)
- Composition of the 49th Division (http://houterman.htmlplanet.com/49InfDiv.html)
- Generals of World War II (http:/www.generals.dk)