19th (Western) Division


The 19th Division was an infantry division of the British Army, part of Kitchener's Army, formed in the Great War.

Formation history

The 19th Division was created under Western Command in September 1914, shortly after the outbreak of the Great War, from men volunteering for Lord Kitchener's New Armies. The division, whose first commander was Major General Charles Fasken, a 59-year old Indian Army officer brought out of retirement, was formed as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and, in common with most other newly-raised Kitchener units, there was a severe shortage of trained officers and NCO's to train the men, alongside a lack of modern equipment, training facilities and billets. However, by June 1915, training had progressed well and the division was sent to the Western Front, where it remained for the rest of the war.

Order of battle

The 19th Division was constituted as follows during the war:
; 56th Brigade :
; 57th Brigade :
; 58th Brigade
; Divisional Troops :
; Divisional Mounted Troops :
; Divisional Artillery :
; Royal Engineers :
  • 81st Field Company, Royal Engineers
  • 82nd Field Company, Royal Engineers
  • 94th Field Company, Royal Engineers
  • 19th Divisional Signals Company, Royal Engineers
; Royal Army Medical Corps :
; Other Divisional Troops :

Commanders

Victoria Cross recipients