18th (Eastern) Division

The British 18th (Eastern) Division was a New Army division formed in September 1914 as part of the K2 Army Group. The division landed in France on 25 May 1915 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, the Division was commanded by Major General Ivor Maxse.

Formation

 * 53rd Brigade :


 * 10th (Service) Battalion, The Essex Regiment
 * 8th (Service) Battalion, The Norfolk Regiment (until February 1918)
 * 8th (Service) Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment (until February 1918)
 * 6th (Service) Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) (until February 1918)
 * 8th (Service) Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) (from February 1918)
 * 7th (Service) Battalion, The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (from 55th Bde February 1918)


 * 54th Brigade :


 * 11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
 * 6th (Service) Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment
 * 12th (Service) Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) (until February 1918)
 * 8th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment (to pioneers February 1915)
 * 7th (Service) Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment (from February 1915 until May 1918)
 * 2nd Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment (from May 1918)


 * 55th Brigade :


 * 7th (Service) Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
 * 7th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
 * 8th (Service) Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment
 * 7th (Service) Battalion, The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (to 53rd Bde February 1918)


 * Pioneers :


 * 8th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment (from 54th Bde February 1915)

Battles

 * Battle of the Somme (1916)
 * Capture of Trônes Wood: 14–15 July 1916.
 * Battle of Delville Wood
 * Third Battle of Ypres
 * Battle of Epehy