The Middlesex Regiment

post de Big Jim

The Middlesex Regiment

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 : attached to 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.

Battalions of the Territorial Force

1/7th Battalion
August 1914 : in Hornsea. Part of Middlesex Brigade in Home Counties Division. Moved on mobilisation to Isle of Grain.
September 1914 : left the Division and moved to Gibraltar, arriving 17 September.
February 1915 : returned to England. Moved to Barnet.
13 March 1915 : landed at Le Havre and two days later attached to 23rd Brigade in 8th Division.
Between 23 June and 2 August 1915, 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.
September 1914 : left the Division and moved to Gibraltar, 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 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.
August 1915: moved to Egypt. Formed part of the Western Frontier Force.
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 in September 1914 as a second line unit. Moved to Staines. Record 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 and moved to Staines.
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 1915 : retitled 9th Reserve Bn.
1 September 1916: absorbed in 7th Reserve Bn at Purfleet (see below).

3/10th Battalion
Formed in May 1915 and moved, after a period in Kent, to Bourne Park.
1 June 1917 : landed at Le Havre and attached to South African Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division.
2 August 1917 : transferred to 10th Brigade in 4th Division.
20 February 1918 : disbanded in France.

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 attached to 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 attached to 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 attached to 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, attached to 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, attached to 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 attached to 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 Poperinge 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 attached to 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 attached to 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 attached to 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 Mayor and Borough.
July 1915 : attached to 118th Brigade in 39th Division. Moved to Aldershot.
February 1916 : moved to Witley and transferred to 121st Brigade in 40th Division.
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 : attached to 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 placed into 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 attached to 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 (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Tring in October 1915 from the depot companies of 18th, 19th and 26th Bns. 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 in London on 9 August 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. Moved to Alexandra Park.
24 August 1916 : landed at Salonika and attached to 27th 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.

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. By March 1917 was at Thetford. In April 1917, transferred to the Labour Corps as 5th Labour Bn.

30th (Works) Battalion
Formed at Crawley in July 1916. Moved to Reading where it then remained.

31st (Works) Battalion
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.

Source : un très bon site : http://www.1914-1918.net/

Il y a 49 bataillons dans ce régiment (je crois que c'est le régiment anglais qui a le plus de bataillons)


post de lawrence brown

1st Battalion, 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. Ils arrivent à Longueau le 9/7, Corbie le 11/7, puis Méaulte 13/7. Le 14/7 ils sont à Bécordel-Bécourt, puis au nord de Fricourt. Le lendemain à Bazentin le Petit pour l'attaque sur le Switch Line - leur avance est stoppé par des tirs de mitrailleuse sur les des flancs -pertes 321. Le 17/7 au bois de Bazentin le Petit, le bois de Mametz le 19/7, puis dans les positions au sud de Bazentin le Petit le lendemain. 21/7 Dernancourt. 6/8 Bécordel, bois de Mametz le 13/8, High Wood le lendemain. Les compagnies B et C participent à l'attaque sur High Wood avec 2nd Argyll and Sutherland le 18/8. Longueval 24/8. Puis dans les villages à l'arrière jusqu'au 19/9. Tranchées de Hébuterne 20/9. Puis repos à l'arrière. 23/10 bois de Trones, le lendemain aux tranchées de Lesboeufs, . 28/10, attaque réussie sur Rainy et Dewdrop Trench (Gueudecourt -Flers). Tranchées de Flers le 29/10, Carnoy 4/11.


2nd Battalion, 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. Le 1/7, Mash Valley, Ovillers, seul un officier sort indemne de l'attaque (sur 23), et seulement 50 parmi les 650 hommes de rang. Les survivants rentre à Millencourt. Le bataillon, de nouveau reconstitué, se trouve au bois de Trones le 20/10, puis à Spectrum Trench le 22/10. Attaque sur Le Transloy le 23/10, combats acharnés, pertes 230. Montauban le 27/10, Mansell Camp 29/10, Méaulte le 30/10, Citadel Camp 3/11. Les tranchées entre Lesboeufs et Le Transloy 7/11, bois de Bernafay 10/11, Carnoy 13/11.


4th Battalion, 63rd Brigade, 21st et 37th Divisions. Le 1/7, au flanc droit de la 63rd Brigade, Fricourt. Les compagnies A et B ont pris position dans le no man's land avant l'attaque, mais après avoir subi de lourdes pertes par le mitrailleuses allemandes, sont contraints à se retirer. Les deux autres compagnies ont également subis de lourdes pertes. En réserve à Lozenge Alley 3/7. Dernancourt le 4/7, le bataillon ayant subi 540 pertes en trois jours. Transféré à la 37th Division, puis au secteur de Vimy fin juillet. Engelbelmer le 14/11, Station Road, à l'est de Hamel le 15/11, Beaucourt le 18/11, Puisieux Trench entre L'Ancre et la Route de Miraumont.



1/7th Battalion (T.F.) 167th Brigade, 56th (1st London) Division.

Unité de réserve à Hébuterne le 1/7 lors de l'attaque sur Gommecourt. Fonquevillers le 16/7, puis dans les tranchées entre ce dernier et Hébuterne jusqu'au 28/7. Premières lignes près de Souastre le 13/8. Ce bataillon à fait parti des unités ayant montré le premiers chars à l'œuvre devant Haig le 26/8, puis Joffre et son état major le 3/9. Bois des Tailles 4/9 (Montauban), Billon Farm 6/9, Maltz Horn Farm 9/9, tranchées au nord ouest de Wedge Wood (ce secteur est mentionné dans le livre de Jünger par René Senteur) , attaques sur le Quadrilateral (Ginchy) 11/9, Billon Copse 12/9, entre Falfemont Farm et Wedge Wood 13/9; Leuze Wood près de la route Combles-Guillemont 14/9. Attaque sur Bouleaux Wood 15/9. Selon l'historique, les compagnies A et C ont étés massacrés en quelques instants, seul 25 hommes en sortent indemne ! D et B avancent aussi et subissent le même sort. Pertes 300, dont 125 tués. Falfemont Farm 16/9, Maltz Horn Farm 18/9, puis premières lignes à la lisière nord-ouest de Bouleaux Wood 22/9. Bois de Trones le 29/9, Lesboeufs 30/9. attaque sur Spectrum Trench le 7/10, réussi mais 193 pertes. Flers 8/10, Citadel Camp 10/10; Ville sur Ancre 11/10.



1/8th Battalion (T.F.) 167th Brigade, 56th (1st London) Division

Unité de réserve le 1/7 à l'est de Sailly au Bois pour l'attaque sur Gommecourt. Premières lignes à Hébuterne 5/7 -8/7. Bois des Tailles 4/9, Citadel Camp, Billon Farm, Casement Trench 9/9, tranchées devant bois de Leuze 10/9. Compagnies A et B attaquent des positions allemandes sur la route Ginchy - Morval à minuit le 11/9, objectif atteint et consolidé malgré les contre attaques ennemies. Pertes 165. Puis dans les tranchées de soutien entre Wedge Wood et bois de Leuze. Le bataillon a attaqué le 15/9 et a subi de lourdes pertes lors du mouvement vers le bois de Leuze et l'attaque sur la lisière nord-ouest du bois de Bouleaux - pertes 245. Casement Trench 24/9, Angle Wood 26/9, German Wood 27/9, Morlancourt 28/9, tranchées de soutien à Flers 30/9, Lesboeufs 3/10, Trones Wood 9/10, Citadel Camp 10/10.

11th (Service) Battalion, 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. Baizieux Wood le 1/7. Tranchées de soutien au sud - est du bois d'Authuille 3/7. Unité de réserve pour l'attaque de la 37th Brigade sur Ovillers. Albert 5/7, Ovillers 6 - 7/7, puis dans les cantonnements à l'arrière. Aux tranchées au nord ouest de Pozières le 27/7, attaques sans succès le 28,29,30 et 31/7. Bouzincourt 7/8. Puis secteur d'Arras. Retour dans la Somme le 29/9, Pommiers Redoubt, Flers 1/10, premières lignes 3/10. Bois de Bernafey 10/10, Fricourt Camp 19/10.


Le 12th est l'un de mes bataillons préferés, j'ai un récit très emouvant écrit par un officer de ce bataillon, présent lors de l'attaque sur Thiepval, cela fera l'objèt d'un post plus tard.......


12th (Service) battalion, 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division.
Unité de réserve à Carnoy le 1/7. L'après midi, ils font mouvement vers les tranchées capturées - Bund, Emden et Triangle, le lendemain le bataillon est à White Trench, Beetle Alley et Maple Trench. Ouest de Bronfay Wood 6/7, Carnoy 7/7, Bois des Tailles 8/7, Maricourt 13/7, attaque du bois de Trones 14/7. Pertes 283. 23/9 Leipzig Salient, attaque sur Thiepval le 26/9. Objectif atteint. Pertes 432. Bois de Mailly Maillet 29/9. Albert 19/10, Regina Trench 25/10 et 6/11.


13th (Service) battalion, 73rd Brigade, 24th Division.
Arrow Head Copse 17/8, attaque sur Guillemont le 18/8. Carnoy 19/8. DelvilleWood 30/8, pertes dues à l'artillerie allemande plus de 400, suivi par une attaque ennemie, le bataillon à perdue Tea Trench lors de cette attaque. Pommiers Redoubt 1/9.


16th (Service) battalion (Public Schools), 86th Brigade, 29th Division
1/7, Auchonvillers, puis aux tranchées de soutien, Cripps Cut et Cardiff Street, unité de deuxième vague lors de l'attaque sur Beaumont Hamel, pertes 524. Auchonvillers 3/7, Engelbelmer 4/7, Knightsbridge Trench 8/7. Bois de Mametz 13/10, Flers-Switch Line 19 -27/10. Pertes pour la nuit du 20-21/10 -soixante-dix. Albert 29/10, Corbie 31/10, Méaulte 16/11, Carnoy 18/11

17th (Service) battalion (1st Football)
Longueau 20/7, Bois des Tailles 23/7, tranchées de soutien Carnoy-Montauban,. Delville Wood 27/7 où ils ont repousé une contre attaque allemande le lendemain, pertes en deux jours -237. Waterlot Farm 5/8, attaque sur Guillemont 8/8, lourdes pertes à ZZ Trench et Machine Gun House. Breslau Trench 9/8 - pertes 203. Happy Valley 10/8, Méaulte 12/8. Serre 15/9, Redan Ridge 22/10. Attaque sur Redan Ridge le 13/11. Louvencourt 16/11