British 54th (East Anglian) Division
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| 54th (East Anglian) Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | World War I 1908 - 1919? |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Territorial Force |
| Type | Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Gallipoli First Battle of Gaza |
The British 54th (East Anglian) Division was a Territorial Army division. During the First World War the division fought at Gallipoli and in the Middle East.
Contents |
[edit] Unit History
[edit] World War I
The division landed at Suvla on August 10.
During the First Battle of Gaza, on March 26, 1917, the 161st Brigade and divisional artillery were in reserve while the 53rd Division carried out the main attack. These reserves were committed as the battle progressed resulting in the British gaining a foothold in the Turkish defences but the British commander called off the attack as night fell.
[edit] World War II
During the Second World War the 54th (East Anglian) Division remained in the United Kingdom as a local defence formation until it was disbanded and broken up on 14th December 1943 .
[edit] Formation
The division comprised three infantry brigades:
- 161st (Essex) Brigade
- 1/4th Battalion, The Essex Regiment
- 1/5th Battalion, The Essex Regiment
- 1/6th Battalion, The Essex Regiment
- 1/7th Battalion, The Essex Regiment
- 162nd (East Midland) Brigade
- 1/5th Battalion, The Bedford Regiment
- 1/4th Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment
- 1/10th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
- 1/11th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
- 1/4th Battalion, The Norfolk Regiment
- 1/5th Battalion, The Norfolk Regiment
- 1/5th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment
- 1/8th (Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight Rifles) Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment
[edit] Battles
- Battle of Gallipoli
- First Battle of Gaza - 161st Brigade and artillery
