List of commanders of the British 1st Division

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1st Division
1st Infantry Division
ActiveRaised and disbanded numerous times since 1809
Country United Kingdom
BranchFlag of the British Army.svg British Army
EngagementsNapoleonic Wars
Crimean War
Second Boer War
First World War
Second World War

The 1st Division was an infantry division of the British Army and was first formed in 1809. The division was commanded by a general officer commanding (GOC), who received orders from a level above him in the chain of command, and then uses the forces within the division to undertake the mission assigned. In addition to directing the tactical battle in which the division is involved, the GOC oversees a staff and the administrative, logistical, medical, training, and discipline of the division.[1]

General officer commanding[edit]

General officer commanding
No. General officer commanding Rank Appointment date Notes Source(s)
1 John Coape Sherbrooke Lieutenant-General 18 June 1809 The division was formed for the first time, during the Peninsular War, from battalions from the British foot guards as well as the King's German Legion that were based in Portugal. Due to the large number of aristocrats within the division, it was dubbed the "The Gentlemens' Sons'". In April 1810, Sherbrooke returned to the UK due to illness. [2]
2 Stapleton Cotton Major-General 26 April 1810 On 3 June, Cotton took command of the Cavalry Division [3]
3 Brent Spencer Major-General 3 June 1810 Was also second-in-command, to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, of the British forces in the Iberian Peninsula during much of his tenure. [3]
Acting Miles Nightingall Major-General 3 May 1811 Was given command of the division during the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro, as Brent Spencer was assigned to also command a corps. Due to his second-in-command position, Spencer commanded all British forces in the Iberian Peninsula during a brief absence by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. As a result, Nightingall likely retained command of the division into June. [4]
Acting Edward Stopford Brigadier-General June 1811 Acting [5]
3 Brent Spencer Major-General June 1811 Was also second-in-command, to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, of the British forces in the Iberian Peninsula during much of his tenure. [3]
Acting Henry Campbell Major-General 25 July 1811 Acting [6]
4 Thomas Graham Lieutenant-General 9 August 1811 Was also second-in-command, to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, of the British forces in the Iberian Peninsula. Departed the peninsular for the UK, prior to the Battle of Salamanca, as a result of an eye infection. [7]
5 Henry Campbell Major-General 6 July 1812 [8]
6 Edward Paget Major-General 11 October 1812 Captured during the retreat following the Battle of Burgos on 17 November 1812 [8]
7 William Stewart Major-General 17 November 1812 [8]
8 Kenneth Howard Major-General 25 March 1813 Howard maintained command of the division until the end of the Peninsular War [9]
4 Thomas Graham Lieutenant-General 19 May 1813 After his return to the Iberian Peninsula, Graham resumed command of the division. However, Kenneth Howard maintained de facto command as Graham was responsible for the left wing of the British force in the peninsula. On 8 October, Graham again left the peninsula due to illness. [10]
9 John Hope Lieutenant-General 8 October 1813 Kenneth Howard maintained de facto command of the division, as Hope was responsible for the left wing of the British force in the peninsula. At the end of the Peninsular War, the division was disbanded in France. [11]
10 George Cooke Major-General 11 April 1815 On 11 April 1815, the division was reformed in Southern Netherlands. Cooke was severely wounded in action, during the Battle of Waterloo, and lost an arm. [12]
Acting John Byng Major-General 18 June 1815 Byng took acting command of the division, during the Battle of Waterloo, following the injury to George Cooke. Later in the day, he also assumed control of I Corps when the Prince of Orange was also injured. [13]
Acting Peregrine Maitland Major-General 18 June 1815 Took over acting command of the division when John Byng assumed control of I Corps. [14]
8 Kenneth Howard Major-General 23 July 1815 [13]
Acting John Byng Major-General 22 August 1815 Went on leave in October, leaving the division without a commanding officer until the British Army organisation in November 1815. [13]
11 Galbraith Lowry Cole Major-General 30 November 1815 On this date, the British Army in France was reorganised into an Army of Occupation, and Cole was given command. The division was disbanded in December 1818 when the British military withdrew from France. [15]
12 George Duke of Cambridge Lieutenant-General 20 June 1854 The division was formed in Varna, Ottoman Bulgaria, from British troops who had been assembled, and had prepared to move to the Crimean peninsular during the Crimean War. On 25 November 1854, the Duke had boarded a ship bound back for the UK due to illness. [16][17]
Acting Henry Lockyer Brigadier-General
(acting rank) 		November 1854 Acting [18]
13 Colin Campbell Lieutenant-General 23 January 1855 [19][20]
14 Henry Robinson-Montagu Lieutenant-General 30 July 1855 [21][22]
Acting Charles Ridley Brigadier-General August 1855 Acting [23]
14 Henry Robinson-Montagu Lieutenant-General August 1855 In 1856, after the end of the Crimean War, the division was disbanded in Crimea. [24]
15 Paul Methuen Lieutenant-General 9 October 1899 A new 2nd Division was formed in England, and then moved to southern Africa to fight in the Second Boer War. Methuen maintained command through to the end of 1900 when, while still in southern Africa, the division was broken-up. [25][26]
16 Arthur Paget Major-General 30 September 1902 A new 1st Division was formed in the UK [27][28]
17 James Grierson Major-General 6 October 1906 [29]
18 Samuel Lomax Major-General 6 October 1906 During Lomax's tenure, the division was mobilised for service in the First World War. Lomax was wounded in action on 31 October 1914, during the First Battle of Ypres [30][31]
Temporary Herman Landon Major-General 31 October 1914 Temporary [32]
19 David Henderson Major-General 22 November 1914 [32]
20 Richard Haking Major-General 19 December 1914 [32]
21 Arthur Holland Major-General 11 September 1915 [32]
22 Peter Strickland Major-General 12 June 1916 The First World War ended in November 1918, and the division entered Germany one month later. In March 1919, elements of the division were used to create the 'Western Division' of the British Army of the Rhine, while the rest of the division was demobilised and returned to England where it was reformed. [33]
23 Guy Bainbridge Major-General 4 June 1919 The division was reformed in England on this date. During Bainbridge's tenure, the division dispatched troops to reinforce British forces fighting in the Irish War of Independence and also sent troops to reinforce the British presence during the Occupation of Constantinople. [34][35][36]
24 Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd Major-General 4 June 1923 [37]
25 Cecil Romer Major-General 1 April 1926 [38]
26 John Duncan Major-General 14 March 1928 [39]
27 Felix Ready Major-General 15 December 1928 [40]
28 Wentworth Harman Major-General 9 November 1930 [41]
29 John Kennedy Major-General 21 April 1934 During Kennedy's tenure, the division dispatched troops to the Territory of the Saar Basin to oversee the 1935 Saar status referendum. [34][42]
30 Clement Armitage Major-General 18 February 1936 In 1936, the division dispatched detachments of troops to Palestine following the start of the Arab revolt. [34][43]
31 Harold Alexander Major-General 14 February 1938 During Alexander's tenure, the division was mobilised for service in the Second World War, dispatched to France, and fought in the Battle of France [44][45]
Acting Merton Beckwith-Smith Brigadier 31 May 1940 Acting [46]
31 Harold Alexander Major-General 3 June 1940 The division was evacuated from France, during June 1940, and returned to England. [44]
Acting Merton Beckwith-Smith Brigadier 9 June 1940 Acting [46]
32 Kenneth Anderson Major-General 13 June 1940 [46]
33 Edwin Morris Major-General 19 May 1941 [46]
34 Walter Clutterbuck Major-General 18 November 1941 During Clutterbuck's tenure, the division was dispatched to Africa to fight in the Tunisian campaign of the Second World War. [46]
35 Ronald Penney Major-General 14 October 1943 During Penney's tenure, the division was dispatched to fight in the Italian campaigns of the Second World War. [44]
Temporary Gerald Templer Major-General 18 February 1944 Templer was the commanding officer of the 56th (London) Infantry Division at this time, when he was appointed to temporary command of the 1st Division. [44]
35 Ronald Penney Major-General 23 February 1944 [46]
Temporary John Hawkesworth Major-General 4 May 1944 Temporary [44]
Acting Charles Loewen Brigadier 24 May 1944 Acting [46]
35 Ronald Penney Major-General 14 June 1944 [46]
36 Charles Loewen Major-General 24 July 1944 In February 1945, the division left Italy and moved to Palestine. It was still in Palestine when the Second World War ended. [44]
37 Richard Gale Major-General 1946
38 Horatius Murray Major-General 1947
39 Francis Matthews Major-General 1950 [47]
40 Thomas Brodie Major-General 1952
41 Rodney Moore Major-General 1955
42 Guy Gregson Major-General 1956
43 Reginald Hobbs Major-General 1959

General officers commanding 1st (United Kingdom) Division[edit]

Further information: 1st (United Kingdom) Division

GOC 1st Division[edit]

GOC 1st Armoured Division[edit]

GOC 1st (UK) Armoured Division[edit]

GOC 1st (United Kingdom) Division[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Haythornthwaite 2016, The Divisional System.
  2. ^ Reid 2004, pp. 35–36.
  3. ^ a b c Reid 2004, p. 36.
  4. ^ McGuigan & Burnham 2017, p. 209.
  5. ^ McGuigan & Burnham 2017, p. 281.
  6. ^ McGuigan & Burnham 2017, pp. 85–86.
  7. ^ Reid 2004, pp. 36–38.
  8. ^ a b c Reid 2004, p. 38.
  9. ^ Reid 2004, pp. 39–40.
  10. ^ Reid 2004, p. 39.
  11. ^ Reid 2004, pp. 39–40; Oman 1930, p. 513.
  12. ^ Weller 2010, p. 34; Siborne 1900, p. 783; Dalton 1904, p. 18.
  13. ^ a b c McGuigan & Burnham 2017, p. 77.
  14. ^ McGuigan & Burnham 2017, p. 205.
  15. ^ Ross-of-Bladensburg 1896, pp. 48–50; Veve 1992, p. 159.
  16. ^ Barthorp 1980, p. 155; McGuigan 2001, p. 13; Hospital report 1855, p. 226.
  17. ^ "No. 21564". The London Gazette. 22 June 1854. p. 1931.
  18. ^ McGuigan 2001, p. 33.
  19. ^ McGuigan 2001, p. 44.
  20. ^ "No. 21653". The London Gazette. 23 January 1855. p. 251.
  21. ^ McGuigan 2001, p. 49.
  22. ^ "No. 21754". The London Gazette. 31 July 1855. p. 2913.
  23. ^ McGuigan 2001, p. 54.
  24. ^ McGuigan 2001, p. 54; Demchak 2011, p. 127.
  25. ^ Creswicke 1900, Chart of Staff Appointments Made at the Commencement of the War; Creswicke 1901, p. 138; War in South Africa 1908, pp. 379, 529; Dunlop 1938, p. 72.
  26. ^ "No. 27126". The London Gazette. 13 October 1899. p. 6179.
  27. ^ "No. 27482". The London Gazette. 14 October 1902. p. 6496. and "No. 27956". The London Gazette. 9 October 1906. p. 6791.
  28. ^ "Naval & Military Intelligence". The Times. No. 60557. 3 October 1902. p. 8.
  29. ^ "No. 27956". The London Gazette. 9 October 1906. p. 6791. and "No. 28407". The London Gazette. 16 August 1910. p. 5947.
  30. ^ Becke 1935, pp. 33, 38.
  31. ^ "No. 28407". The London Gazette. 16 August 1910. p. 5947.
  32. ^ a b c d Becke 1935, p. 33.
  33. ^ Becke 1935, pp. 33, 39; Kennedy & Crabb 1977, p. 243.
  34. ^ a b c Lord & Watson 2003, p. 24.
  35. ^ "No. 31623". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 October 1919. p. 13230. and "No. 32834". The London Gazette. 15 June 1923. p. 4208.
  36. ^ "War Office, Monthly Army List, December 1920". London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. 1920. p. 29.
  37. ^ "No. 32834". The London Gazette. 15 June 1923. p. 4208. and "No. 33150". The London Gazette. 13 April 1926. p. 2552.
  38. ^ "No. 33150". The London Gazette. 13 April 1926. p. 2552.
  39. ^ "No. 33369". The London Gazette. 23 March 1928. p. 2133. and "No. 33451". The London Gazette. 28 December 1928. p. 8539.
  40. ^ "No. 33451". The London Gazette. 28 December 1928. p. 8540. and "No. 33660". The London Gazette. 11 November 1930. p. 7175.
  41. ^ "No. 33661". The London Gazette. 14 November 1930. p. 7252. and "No. 34043". The London Gazette. 20 April 1934. p. 2545.
  42. ^ "No. 34045". The London Gazette. 27 April 1934. p. 2707. and "No. 34256". The London Gazette. 18 February 1936. p. 1058.
  43. ^ "No. 34258". The London Gazette. 1 February 1936. p. 1164. and "No. 34493". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 March 1938. p. 1751.
  44. ^ a b c d e f Joslen 2003, pp. 35–36.
  45. ^ "No. 34487". The London Gazette. 25 February 1938. p. 1261.
  46. ^ a b c d e f g h Joslen 2003, p. 35.
  47. ^ "Army Notes". Royal United Services Institution. 95:579 (579): 524. 1950. doi:10.1080/03071845009434082.

References[edit]

  • Barthorp, Michael (1980). The Armies of Britain, 1485–1980. London: National Army Museum. OCLC 252418281.
  • Becke, Archibald Frank (1935). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 1: The Regular British Divisions. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office. OCLC 929528172.
  • Creswicke, Louis (1900). South Africa and the Transvaal War. Vol. II — From the commencement of the war to the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec. 1899. Edinburgh: T. C. & E. C. Jack. OCLC 154231374 – via gutenberg.org.
  • Creswicke, Louis (1901). South Africa and the Transvaal War. Vol. VI. Edinburgh: T. C. & E. C. Jack. OCLC 154231374.
  • Dalton, Charles (1904). The Waterloo Roll Call (2nd ed.). London: Eyre and Spottiswoode. OCLC 558745289 – via archive.org.
  • Demchak, Chris C. (2011). Wars of Disruption and Resilience: Cybered Conflict, Power, and National Security. Athens, Georgia: The University of Georgia Press. ISBN 978-0-82034-137-8.
  • Dunlop, John K. (1938). The Development of the British Army 1899–1914. London: Methuen. OCLC 59826361.
  • Haythornthwaite, Philip (2016). Picton's Division at Waterloo. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-78159-102-4.
  • Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1990]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
  • Kennedy, Alistair; Crabb, George Felix (1977). The Postal History of the British Army in World War I, Before and After, 1903–1929. Ewell, Surrey: G. Crabb. OCLC 60058343.
  • Lord, Cliff; Watson, Graham (2003). The Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920–2001) and its Antecedents. West Midlands: Helion. ISBN 978-1-874622-07-9.
  • McGuigan, Ron (2001). 'Into Battle!' British Orders of Battle for the Crimean War, 1854–56. Bowdon, Cheshire: Withycut House. ISBN 978-1-89924-402-7.
  • McGuigan, Ron; Burnham, Robert (2017). Wellington's Brigade Commanders. Barnsley: Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-47385-079-8.
  • Oman, Charles (1930). A History of the Peninsular War. Vol. VII August 1813 – April 14, 1814. Oxford: Oxford University Press. OCLC 185228609 – via archive.org.
  • Reid, Stuart (2004). Wellington's Army in the Peninsula 1809–14. Battle Orders 2. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-517-4.
  • Report upon the State of the Hospitals of the British Army in the Crimea and Scutari. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1855. OCLC 14530844.
  • Ross-of-Bladensburg, John Foster George (1896). A History of the Coldstream Guards from 1815 to 1895. London: A.D. Inness & Co. OCLC 1152610342 – via Gutenberg.org.
  • Siborne, William (1900). The Waterloo Campaign (5th ed.). Westminster: Archibald Constable and Co. OCLC 672639901.
  • Veve, Thomas Dwight (1992). The Duke of Wellington and the British Army of Occupation in France, 1815-1818. Westport, Connecticut and London: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-31327-941-6.
  • History of the War in South Africa. Vol. III. London: Hurst and Blackett Limited. 1908. OCLC 775290586 – via archive.org.
  • Weller, Jac (2010) [1992]. Wellington at Waterloo. Barnsley: Frontline Books. ISBN 978-1-84832-586-9.
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