3rd Cavalry Division (United Kingdom)
| 3rd Cavalry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1914–1919 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Cavalry Corps |
| Engagements | World War I
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy |
The 3rd Cavalry Division was a division of the British Army in the First World War. It was formed in Ludgershall, Wiltshire England in September 1914 under the command of General Major General Julian Byng. The division moved to Belgium in the first week of October 1914, landing at Zeebrugge, although its third Brigade was only formed once there.[1]
During the war the division took part in most of the major actions where cavalry were used as a mounted mobile force, and also many where the troops were dismounted and effectively served as infantry.[1] On November 11, 1918, units of the division had reached the River Dender at Leuze and Lessines in Belgium, when orders were received that they would cover the advance of the British Second Army into Germany. They started the advance on 17 November, divisional headquarters being established at Waterloo on 21 November. The following winter was spent in Belgium but by 13 March 1919, the division was[clarification needed].[1]
Contents |
[edit] Order of battle
[edit] 6th Cavalry Brigade
- 1st The Royal Dragoons
- 10th Royal Hussars
- 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards
- 1/1st North Somerset Yeomanry
- 6th Signal Troop RE
- 6th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron[2]
[edit] 7th Cavalry Brigade
- 1st Life Guards
- 2nd Life Guards
- 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry (Prince Albert's Own)
- 7th (Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards
- 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
- 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own)
- 7th Signal Troop R.E.
- 7th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron[2]
[edit] 8th Cavalry Brigade
- Royal Horse Guards
- 10th Royal Hussars ,(Prince of Wales's Own)
- 1/1st Essex Yeomanry
- 8th Signal Troop R.E.
- 8th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron[2]
[edit] Canadian Cavalry Brigade
Joined the Division from 5th Cavalry Division on 13 March 1918.
- Royal Canadian Dragoons
- Lord Strathcona's Horse
- Fort Garry Horse
- Canadian Cavalry Brigade Machine-Gun Squadron
- Canadian Cavalry Signal Troop
[edit] Divisional Artillery
All units of the Royal Horse Artillery unless shown
- XV Brigade RHA , C Battery attached to 6th Cavalry Brigade, K Battery to 7th Cavalry Brigade.
- G Battery RHA
- Royal Canadian HA Brigade (joined with Canadian Cavalry Brigade, 13 March 1918)
- 3rd Cavalry Divisional Ammunition Park
[edit] Divisional Engineers
- 3rd Field Squadron
- 3rd Signal Squadron
[edit] Divisional commanders
- Major General the Hon. J. Byng (from formation to May 1915)
- Major General J.C.Briggs (from 7 May 1915 to October 1915)
- Major General J. Vaughan (from 15 October 1915 to March 1918)
- Major General A. Harman (from 5 May 1918.).[1]
