1st Composite Mounted Brigade
| 1st Composite Mounted Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | September 1915–December 1915 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Dismounted Yeomanry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Engagements | World War I |
The 1st Composite Mounted Brigade[1] was a formation of the British Army in World War I. It was formed by the 2nd Mounted Division during the Gallipoli Campaign on 4 September 1915 by absorbing the 1st South Midland, 2nd South Midland and 5th Mounted Brigades. The brigade was dissolved on return to Egypt in December 1915.
Formation
[edit]Due to losses during the Battle of Scimitar Hill and wastage during August 1915, the 2nd Mounted Division had to be reorganised. On 4 September 1915, the 1st Composite Mounted Brigade was formed from 1st (1st South Midland), 2nd (2nd South Midland) and 5th (Yeomanry) Mounted Brigades.[2] Each dismounted brigade formed a battalion sized unit:
- 1st South Midland Regiment (Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Yeomanry)
- 2nd South Midland Regiment (Buckinghamshire, Dorset and Berkshire Yeomanry)
- 5th Yeomanry Regiment (Hertfordshire and 2nd County of London Yeomanry)
The brigade was commanded by Br-Gen E.A.Wiggin, former commander of the 1st South Midlands Mounted Brigade.[3] The 2nd Composite Mounted Brigade was formed at the same time with the 3rd and 4th Regiments.
Dissolved
[edit]The brigade left Suvla on 31 October 1915 for Mudros. It left Mudros on 27 November, arrived Alexandria on 1 December and went to Mena Camp, Cairo.[4] Each regiment had left a squadron headquarters and two troops (about 100 officers and men) in Egypt to look after the horses.[5] The 1st South Midland, 2nd South Midland and Yeomanry Mounted Brigades were reformed on 1 December and the 1st Composite Mounted Brigade passed out of existence.[6]
See also
[edit]
- 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade
- 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade
- Yeomanry Mounted Brigade
- British yeomanry during the First World War
References
[edit]- ^ Despite the name, the brigade was dismouted throughout its existence.
- ^ Becke 1936, p. 17
- ^ Becke 1936, p. 10
- ^ Becke 1936, p. 14
- ^ James 1978, p. 34
- ^ Becke 1936, pp. 10, 11
Bibliography
[edit]- Becke, Major A.F. (1936). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 2A. The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42-56). London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 1-871167-12-4.
- James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books Limited. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.