British Land Units of the First World War

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During the First World War the British Armed Forces was enlarged to many times its peacetime strength. This was done mainly by adding new battalions to existing regiments (the King's Royal Rifles raised a total of 26 battalions). Although sometimes identified by shoulder titles, generally the new battalions could not be identified from appearance. Consequently, the units in this list have been assembled considering only those as having a uniquely different cap badge.

Contents

Royal Navy

Although men of the Royal Navy served on land in many areas throughout the world, the units listed below served as an infantry division in Gallipoli, Belgium and France (the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division).

Cavalry

Regular

The cavalry consisted of Guards (Household Cavalry), Dragoon Guards, Dragoons, Hussars and Lancers. The volunteer cavalry was the Yeomanry.

Special Reserve

Yeomanry

War-formed

Support Arms

Infantry

Guards

Regular infantry

Most regiments had two regular battalions, supported by associated battalions from the Territorial Force ('part-time' soldiers) and Reserve Battalions. After the start of the war, many new battalions were raised and called "Service Battalions". Service battalions raised from a single locale were often called "Pals battalions".

Territorial Force

Infantry regiments of just Territorial Force battalions (i.e. no regular or Special Reserve battalions).

Others

Services

See also

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