| 4th Mounted Division 2nd Cyclist Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | March 1916 – November 1916 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Type | Yeomanry then Cyclist |
| Size | Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Colchester then Ipswich (HQ) |
| Engagements | World War I |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major-General Lord Lovat |
The 4th Mounted Division was a short-lived British cavalry division composed of Yeomanry and Territorial Force units during World War I. It was formed on 20 March 1916, converted to 2nd Cyclist Division in July 1916 and broken up in November 1916. It remained in England on Home Defence duties throughout its existence.[1]
Formation[]
The 4th Mounted Division was formed on 20 March 1916 from three second line mounted brigades (2/1st Eastern, 2/1st South Eastern and 2/1st South Western) and the new 2/1st Southern Mounted Brigade. The Headquarters was at Colchester[2] and Brigadier-General (Major-General from 26 May) Lord Lovat was appointed to command.[3] The Mounted Brigades were numbered on 31 March 1916.[4]
| Mounted Brigade | Yeomanry Regiments | Signals | Medical | Army Service Corps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Mounted Brigade (2/1st Eastern) |
2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry 2/1st Essex Yeomanry |
13th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop | 13th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC | 13th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC |
| 14th Mounted Brigade (2/1st South Eastern) |
2/1st Royal East Kent Yeomanry 2/1st Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry 2/1st Sussex Yeomanry |
14th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop | 14th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC | 14th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC |
| 15th Mounted Brigade (2/1st South Western) |
2/1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry 2/1st North Somerset Yeomanry 2/1st Hampshire Yeomanry |
15th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop | 15th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC | 15th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC |
| 16th Mounted Brigade (2/1st Southern) |
2/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry 2/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry 2/1st Surrey Yeomanry |
16th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop | 16th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC | 16th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC |
| 4th Mounted Division Signal Squadron | 4th Mounted Division Company, ASC |
2nd Cyclist Division[]
In July 1916 the yeomanry regiments were dismounted and their horses sent to remount depots. The regiments then converted to yeomanry cyclist regiments and the division was then renamed the 2nd Cyclist Division. It was assigned to the Southern Army, Home Defence Troops. Divisional Headquarters remained at Colchester[2] and Lord Lovat remained in command.[3] On reorganisation, 2/1st Essex Yeomanry, 2/1st Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry and 2/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry were posted to the 1st Mounted Division.[6]
| Cyclist Brigade | Regiments and battalions | Signals | Medical | Army Service Corps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Cyclist Brigade | 2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry 2/1st Sussex Yeomanry[7] 1/8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Essex Regiment |
5th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop | 5th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC | 5th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC |
| 6th Cyclist Brigade | 2/1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry 2/1st North Somerset Yeomanry 2/1st Hampshire Yeomanry 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion |
6th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop | 6th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC | 6th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC |
| 7th Cyclist Brigade[8] | 2/1st Royal East Kent Yeomanry[7] 2/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry 2/1st Surrey Yeomanry 7th (Cyclist) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment |
7th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop | 7th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC | 7th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC |
| 8th Cyclist Brigade[9] | 2/1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars[10] 2/1st Berkshire Yeomanry[10] 2/1st Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars[10] 2/8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Essex Regiment |
8th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop | 8th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC | 8th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC |
| 2nd Cyclist Division Signal Squadron | 2nd Cyclist Division Company, ASC |
The Headquarters moved to Ipswich in September 1916. The division was broken up in November 1916, having remained in England on Home Defence duties throughout its brief existence. The cyclist brigades were dissolved and the yeomanry regiments were amalgamated in pairs to form yeomanry battalions in new cyclist brigades.[2]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Becke 1936, pp. 27–30
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Becke 1936, p. 30
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Becke 1936, p. 27
- ↑ James 1978, p. 36
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Becke 1978, p. 28
- ↑ Becke 1978, p. 29
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Transferred from 14th Mounted Brigade.
- ↑ 2/1st Berkshire Battery, RHA was attached from September 1916 until the division was broken up.
- ↑ 2/1st Notts Battery, RHA was attached from September 1916 until the division was broken up.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 From 3rd Mounted Division.
Bibliography[]
- Becke, Major A.F. (1936). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 2A. The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42-56). London: His Majesty's Stationary Office. ISBN 1-871167-12-4.
- James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books Limited. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.
The original article can be found at 4th Mounted Division and the edit history here.