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British Land Units of the First World War

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.

Royal Navy edit

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 edit

Regular edit

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

Special Reserve edit

Yeomanry edit

War-formed edit

Support Arms edit

Infantry edit

Guards edit

Regular infantry edit

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 edit

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

Others edit

Services edit

See also edit

References edit

Bibliography edit

  • Talbot-Booth, E.C. (1941). The British Army, Its History, Customs, Traditions, and Uniforms. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.
  • Doyle, Peter; Foster, Chris (20 July 2010). British Army Cap Badges of the First World War. Shire. ISBN 978-0747807971.
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