The 18th (Eastern) Division was an infantry division of the British Army formed in September 1914 during the First World War as part of the K2 Army Group, part of Lord Kitchener's New Armies. From its creation the division trained in England until 25 May 1915 when it landed in France and spent the duration of the First World War in action on the Western Front, becoming one of the elite divisions of the British Army. During the Battle of the Somme in the latter half of 1916, the 18th Division was commanded by Major General Ivor Maxse.
18th (Eastern) Division | |
---|---|
Active | September 1914 – 20 March 1919 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Division |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Ivor Maxse |
The division was formed in September 1914 during the First World War as part of the K2 Army Group, part of Lord Kitchener's New Armies. It was formed in the Colchester area but relocated to Salisbury Plain in May 1915.[1] Major-General Ivor Maxse took command in October 1914.[2]
The following units served in the division.[1]
Divisional Troops
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Lieutenant-General | Sir Lawrence Parsons | 14 September 1914 | Transferred to 16th (Irish) Division 22 September 1914 |
Major-General | Ivor Maxse | 2 October 1914 | |
Major-General | Richard Lee | 15 January 1917 |