First World War / Inter-War / Second World War / Post-War
The Middlesex Regiment was an Infantry Regiment, made up of Infantry Battalions that would have had an MG Section as part of the Battalion Headquarters.
The Great War
The MG Section would have been brigaded when the Machine Gun Corps was formed in 1915. The guns, and crews, would have been formed into a Machine Gun Company.
During the Great War, the Battalions were distributed as follows:
2nd
The 2nd Battalion started the Great War as a member of the 23rd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division.
As a unit of the 8th Infantry Division, its MG Section will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| 1914 | |
| The division had no existence before the outbreak of War. The first units to arrive (from Malta) assembled on Baddesley Common (near Southampton), and on 2nd October, 1914, Divisional H.Q. and available units moved to Hursley Park (near Winchester), where concentration ws effected. The arrival of the 2/E. Lanc. R. on the 30th October completed the division. The 12 infantry battalions had all been brought back from various overseas stations, viz: – India (3), S. Africa (1), Aden (1), Egypt (3), Malta (3), and Bermuda (1). The mounted troops included an existing yeomanry regiment and a cyclist company, which was formed on mobilization. The Field Artillery was made up by one Horse Artillery Bde. (3 batteries), and the two Field Artillery Bdes., which still remained at home. The two Heavy Batteries were new units formed at Woolwich after the outbreak of War, and the Field Companies came from Cairo and Gibraltar. The three Field Ambulances of the Wessex Division (T.F.) were used; and of the four A.S.C. Companies, one (41) came from Cairo and the other three were new formations.The division embarked at Southampton on the 4th and 5th November, and disembarked at Havre on the 6th and 7th; it began entraining for the Front on the 8th November, and completed its assembly around Merville by the 12th.
Throughout the remainder of the War the 8th Division served on the Western Front in France and Belgium, and was engaged in the following operations:- | |
| 18 December | Neuve Chapelle (Moated Grange Attack) [IV. Corps]. |
| 1915 | |
| 10 to 13 March | Battle of Neuve Chapelle [IV. Corps, First Army]. |
| 09 May | BATTLE OF AUBERS RIDGE |
| Attack at Fromelles [IV. Corps, First Army]. | |
| 25 September | Bois Grenier [III. Corps, First Army]. |
Its MG Section was transferred on 15 January 1916 to form the 23rd Bde. MG Coy..
3rd
The 3rd Battalion was part of the 85th Brigade, attached to the 28th Division. It’s MG Section was likely to have been transferred into the 85th MG Coy. which was provisionally formed on 13 March 1916 and formally established on 18 May 1916.
As a unit of the 28th Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| The Division had no existence before the outbreak of the Great war.The Division assembled and mobilized at Hursley, Pitt Hill, and Magdalen Hill Camps (around Winchester) during December, 1914, and January, 1915. The 12 infantry battalions, of which it was composed, came from India (10 from nine different stations), Singapore (1), and Egypt (1); the brigades were formed at Winchester. The mounted troops included a cavalry squadron from an existing yeomanry unit, and a cyclist company, which was formed at Winchester. Of the field artillery brigades: in August, 1914, III. was in India and XXXI. was at Sheffield, whilst CXLVI. was only formed at Winchester. The field companies, signal company, field ambulances, and train, were territorial force units.
The 28th Division embarked at Southampton on the 15th-18th January, 1915, disembarked at Le Havre between the 16th-19th January, and concentrated between Bailleul and Hazebrouck by the 22nd January. The 28th Division served on the Western Front in France and Belgium until the middle of October, 1915. It embarked for Egypt in October and November, and, on arrival, it encamped in the neighbourhood of Alexandria. On the 17th November, order were received for the division to embark for Salonika as soon as possible. Embarkation began on the 20th November, but it was not until the 4th January, 1916, that all the units had completed disembarkation at Salonika. (The XXXI. and CXLVI. Brigades, R.F.A., proceeded direct from Marseille to Salonika, sailing on the 17th November; these two brigades arrived: XXXI. on 27th November, and CXLVI. on the 2nd December.) | |
| 1915 | |
| BATTLES OF YPRES | |
| 22 and 23 April | Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge [V. Corps, Second Army]. |
| 24 April to 04 May | Battle of St. Julien [V. Corps, Second Army, until 28/4; then Plumer’s Force]. |
| 08 to 13 May | Battle of Frezenberg Ridge [V. Corps, Second Army]. |
| 24 and 25 May | Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge [V. Corps, Second Army]. |
| 27 to 05 October | Battle of Loos [I. Corps, First Army]. |
| At noon on the 19th October, the division was ordered to be ready to entrain in 48 hours for an unknown destination. On 21st October, the division began to entrain for Marseille, and on 24th October the first units sailed from that port. Units began to reach Alexandria on 29th October, and the division (less XXXI. and CXLVI. Bdes., R.F.A.) reached Egypt by 22nd November.The 28th Division was then sent from Alexandria at Salonika on the 4th January, 1916. | |
7th
Originally within the Middlesex Infantry Brigade of the Home Counties Division, it served at Gibralter from 09 September 1914 until 08 February 1915, when it was returned to England.
The 7th Battalion joined the 23rd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, from England on 15 March 1915. It amalgamated with the 8th Bn on 23 June 1915 and resumed separate formations on 02 August 1915. It transferred to the 167th Bde, 56th Div., on 08 February 1916.
As a unit of the 8th Infantry Division, its MG Section will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| 1915 | |
| 09 May | BATTLE OF AUBERS RIDGE |
| Attack at Fromelles [IV. Corps, First Army]. | |
As a unit of the 56th (1st London) Infantry Division, its MG Section did not take part in any formal battles or engagements.
Its MG Section was transferred on 22 March 1916 to form the 167th Bde. MG Coy..
11th
The 11th Battalion was part of the 36th Brigade, attached to the 12th (Eastern) Division.
As a unit of the 12th Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| FORMATION, BATTLES AND ENGAGEMENTS | |
| This New Army Division had no existence before the outbreak of the Great War.A proclamation was issued on the 11th August 1914 asking for an immediate addition of 100,000 men to the Regular Army (see Appendix). Army Order No. 324 of the 24th August (amended by Army Order No. 382 of the 11th September) authorized the addition of six divisions (9th to 14th) and Army Troops to the Regular Army. This augmentation forced the First New Army, and late in August, 1914 the 12th (Eastern) Division began to assemble around Colchester, with the artillery at Shorncliffe.
The 12th Division was chiefly recruited from the Eastern and Home Counties. After enlistment, drill and route marching began at once; but only improvised wooden rifles were available to accustom the recruits in handling arms. As soon as battalions had recruited up to war establishment they moved to the infantry brigade centres and more advanced training was then undertaken. In November, 1914 the three infantry brigades concentrated near Hythe, and in February, 1915 the pioneer battalion joined the Division. Towards the end of February the training had advanced far enough for the whole Division to move and concentrate at Aldershot, to complete its intensive training for war and take part in divisional field manoeuvres. In the early spring of 1915 no fewer than five divisions (10th to 14th) of the six in the First New Army were concentrated at Aldershot for their final training. On the 24th May Aldershot Training Centre issued orders to the 12th Division to embark for France between 29th May to 1st June. On the 25th May the divisional advanced parties left, and on the 29th the Division began to entrain at Aldershot. The personnel went via Folkestone and Boulogne, and artillery, engineers, horses, and transport moved via Southampton and le Havre. By midnight 1st/2nd June the entrainment at Aldershot was completed. Meanwhile, on the 1st June, the units had begun to arrive to the southward of St. Omer and by the 4th all the units had reached the concentration area. On the 5th June the Division advanced and joined III Corps. Throughout the remainder of the Great War the 12th Division served on the Western Front in France and Belgium and was engaged in the following operations: | |
| 1915 | |
| 01 to 08 October | Battle of Loos [XI Corps, First Army]. |
| 13 to 19 October | The Quarries (Hulloch) [XI Corps, First Army]. |
It’s MG Section was transferred on 01 February 1916 to form the 36th Bde. MG Coy. at Ham en Artois.
12th
The 12th Battalion was part of the 54th Brigade, attached to the 18th (Eastern) Division.
As a unit of the 18th (Eastern) Division, it may have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| FORMATION, BATTLES AND ENGAGEMENTS | |
| This New Army Division had no existence before the outbreak of the Great War.Army Order No. 382 of the 11th September 1914 authorized the further addition of six divisions (15th to 20th) and Army Troops to the Regular Army (see Appendix). This augmentation formed the Second New Army, and during September 1914 the 18th (Eastern) Division began to assemble around Colchester.
In the earliest days of the formation, trains brought large bodies of recruits who knew no words of command and were accompanied by no officers or non-commissioned-officers. In consequence the detrainment of a party was apt to resemble the arrival of a football excursion crowd. The officer who met one of these trains could only tell the mob to follow him, and then lead the men to the particular encampment which was to accommodate them. The food was sufficient, but coarse; there were no canteens, the tents were crowded, the nights were chilly, there were never enough blankets to go round. Nevertheless in those tedious early days all ranks made the best of everything. At first the men had to march and drill in the civilian suits and boots which they wore on joining; any men whose boots became soleless had to do slow marching on grass. After some time blue uniforms and forage caps arrived, and later on sufficient khaki uniforms were received to allow at least one suit to be issued to each platoon. But the training was progressive and never slackened; and in April 1915 the Division, in full marching order, covering 62 miles in 48 hours. It was weeks after the infantry had received their rifles before any guns were issued to the divisional artillery. At first the only armament was limited to one improvised wooden gun per battery, and up to November 1914 no battery had more than a score of horses. Nevertheless the difficulties and deficiencies were overcome. Between the 4th-12th May the Division moved to Salisbury Plain and divisional headquarters opened at Codford. On the 24th June the 18th Division was inspected by H.M. the King; and in July the Division was informed that it was to be prepared to embark for the Western Front. On the 24th July the move to France began, headquarters started on the 25th, and on the 30th July the Division completed its concentration near Flesselles (south of Doullens) in the Third Army area. The Division was placed under X Corps. For the remainder of the Great War the 18th Division served on the Western Front in France and Belgium. |
It’s MG Section will have been disbanded on the attachment of 54th MG Company, which took place on 13 February 1916, Machine Gunners may have been absorbed by the 54th MG Company, or trained on the Lewis Gun, which now equipped the Infantry Battalion.
17th
The 17th Battalion was part of the 6th Brigade, attached to the 2nd Division. It’s MG Section was transferred on 04 January 1916 to form the 6th Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 2nd Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| 1914 | |
| 23 and 24 August | Battle of Mons [I. Corps]. |
| 24 August to 05 September | RETREAT FROM MONS [I. Corps]. |
| 01 September | Villers Cotterets. |
| 06 to 09 September | Battle of the Marnes [I. Corps]. |
| 13 to 26 September | BATTLE OF THE AISNES [I. Corps]. |
| 13 September | Passage of the Aisne. |
| 20 September | Actions on the Aisne Heights. |
| 19 October to 20 November | BATTLES OF YPRES [I. Corps]. |
| 21 to 24 October | Battle of Langemarck [I. Corps]. |
| 29 to 21 October | Battle of Gheluvet [I. Corps]. |
| 11 November | Battle of Nonne Bosschen [I. Corps]. |
| 1915 | |
| 01 February | Cuinchy |
| 06 February | Cuinchy |
| 15 to 20 May | Battle of Festubert [I. Corps, First Army]. |
| 25 September to 04 October | Battle of Loos [I. Corps, First Army]. |
| 13 to 19 October | Hohenzollern Redoubt [I. Corps, First Army]. |
Inter-war Period
In 1922, the Machine Gun Corps was disbanded and the guns returned to the Infantry Battalion as a Machine Gun Platoon and then formed as a Machine Gun Company in the early 1930s.
By virtue of Army Order 78 published on 11th March 1922, the 3rd and 4th Battalions were disbanded.
The Second World War
This remained until the formation of Divisional Machine Gun Battalions in 1936 where guns were brigaded once again. The Middlesex was one of those Infantry Regiments converted to this new role.
1st
At the outbreak of War, the 1st Bn was part of the Hong Kong Infantry Brigade. It remained here until captured by the Japanese in Hong Kong on 25 December, 1941.
The 1st Bn was reconstituted from the 2/8th Bn in 1943.
From 01 October, 1943, the 1st Bn was the Divisional Support Battalion to the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division. It reverted to the Divisional MG Battalion establishment from 18 March, 1944, for the rest of the War.
The 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division was mobilised in September 1939 as a Second Line Territorial Army Infantry Division. During its time with the 15th, it was in the following theatres and battles.
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 03 September, 1939, to 13 June, 1944 | United Kingdom | |
| 14 June, 1944, to 31 August, 1945 | North West Europe |
|
2nd
For the campaign in France, 1939 to 1940, it was part of the General Headquarters (GHQ) Troops that could be allocated as required.
From 11 November, 1941, until 20 May, 1942, it was the Divisional MG Battalion to the 3rd Infantry Division.
It was reorganised as a Divisional Support Battalion on 01 October, 1943, and remained so until 03 March, 1944, when it reverted to the Divisional MG Battalion establishment. It remained with the 3rd for the rest of the War.
The 3rd Infantry Division was mobilised in September 1939 as a Regular Army Infantry Division. During its time with the 15th, it was in the following theatres and battles.
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 01 June, 1940 to 04 June, 1944 | United Kingdom | |
| 04 June, 1944 to 06 June, 1944 | At Sea | |
| 06 June, 1944 to 31 August, 1945 | North West Europe |
|
To learn more about the role of 2nd Middlesex in North-West Europe, A CANLOAN Officer is the personal account of a platoon commander in A Company – Rex Fendick.
A CANLOAN Officer – a VMGCRA Reprint
We’re really pleased to be able to offer a new edition of A CANLOAN Officer by Rex Fendick. Rex was a lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment from June 1944 until the end of the Second World War, with a little time in Germany as part of the British Army on the Rhine. This is, as far as we’re aware, the only machine gunner memoir of the Second World War from a platoon commander. For extra interest,…
1st/7th
For the campaign in France, 1939 to 1940, it was part of the General Headquarters (GHQ) Troops that could be allocated as required.
Between 11 November, 1941 and 09 December, 1943, the 1/7th Bn was the Divisional MG Battalion to the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. It then became a Divisional Support Battalion between 10 December, 1943, until 27 February, 1944, when it became a Divisional MG Battalion again. It remained this way until the end of the War.
The 51st (Highland) Infantry Division was mobilised in September 1939 as a First Line Territorial Army Infantry Division. Whilst the 1/7th Bn was part of it, it was in the following theatres and battles:
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 07 August, 1940, to 16 June, 1942 | United Kingdom | |
| 16 June, 1942, to 11 August, 1942 | At Sea | |
| 12 August, 1942, to 21 November, 1942 | Egypt |
|
| 21 November, 1942, to 17 February, 1943 | Libya | |
| 17 February, 1943, to 08 July, 1943 | North Africa |
|
| 08 July, 1943, to 10 July, 1943 | At Sea | |
| 10 July, 1943, to 07 November, 1943 | Sicily |
|
| 07 November, 1943, to 26 November, 1943 | At Sea | |
| 26 November, 1943, to 02 June, 1944 | United Kingdom | |
| 02 June, 1944, to 07 June, 1944 | At Sea | |
| 07 June, 1944, to 31 August, 1945 | North West Europe |
|
2nd/7th
At the outbreak of War, the 2/7th Bn was part of the 6th London Infantry Brigade, a Second Line Territorial Army Infantry Brigade. It remained here until 31 March, 1940. It was in the United Kingdom throughout this period.
The Divisional MG Battalion to the 46th (North Midland) Infantry Division from 11 November, 1941 to 01 October, 1942. It was in the United Kingdom for all of this period. The 46th (North Midland) Infantry Division was mobilised in September 1939 as a Second Line Territorial Army Infantry Division.
It formed part of the Eighth Army, 15 Army Group for the Invasion of Sicily on 10 July, 1943.
On 17 August, 1943, in North Africa, it joined the 1st Infantry Division as the Divisional Support Battalion. It remained as such until 27 May, 1944. It then converted back to a Divisional MG Battalion and remained as such for the rest of the War.
During this time, the 1st Infantry Division was in the following theatres and battles.
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 15 June, 1943 to 04 December, 1943 | North Africa | |
| 05 December, 1943, to 07 December, 1943 | At Sea | |
| 07 December, 1943, to 27 January, 1945 | Italy |
|
| 28 January, 1945, to 01 February, 1945 | At Sea | |
| 02 February, 1945 to 31 August, 1945 | Palestine |
1st/8th (later the 8th)
For the campaign in France, 1939 to 1940, it was part of the General Headquarters (GHQ) Troops that could be allocated as required.
| Battalion Headquarters | |
| Commanding Officer | Lt. Col. E.W. Fane de Salis M.C. |
| Second-in-Command | Maj. E.T. Pain |
| Adjutant | Capt. C.W. Summers |
| Intelligence Officer | 2/Lt. J.E. Pillivant |
| Quartermaster | Lt. W. Ward |
| H.Q. Company | Maj. R.B. Hirst |
| Transport Officer | Capt. K.T.V. Russell |
| Signals Officer | Lt. R.A. Kaye |
| “A” Company | Maj. T.L. Marks |
| Capt. T.H. Reddy | |
| 2/Lt. G.D. Kaines | |
| 2/Lt. R.H. Pawsey | |
| “B” Company | Maj. J.B. Worton |
| Capt. Kemp-Turner | |
| 2/Lt. J.W. Latham | |
| 2/Lt. Smith | |
| 2/Lt. R.H. Blackmore | |
| “C” Company | Maj. S.J. Clarke |
| Capt. R.W. Mayer | |
| 2/Lt. Chiffens | |
| 2/Lt. A.M. Hendry | |
| Capt. Carver (attd.) | |
| “D” Company | Capt. J.A. Hamilton |
| Lt. G.C. Sasse M.C. | |
| 2/Lt. R.S. Mudie | |
| 2/Lt. K.D. Tarr | |
| 2/Lt. I.G. Grove-White | |
| Attached | Lt. A.M. Clay (R.A.M.C.) |
| Lt. Tearne (R.A.O.C.) | |
| The Revd. Stephenson (C.F.) | |
From 18 November, 1941, the 1/8th Bn was the Divisional MG Battalion to the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division. The 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division was mobilised in September 1939 as a First Line Territorial Army Infantry Division.
It was converted to a Divisional MG Battalion between 01 October, 1942, and 28 February, 1944. It was also renamed the 8th Bn during this time. From the 28 February, 1944, it was converted back to a Divisional MG Battalion until the end of the War.
| Commanding Officer | Lt. Col. M. Crawford |
| Second-in-Command | Maj. J.P. Hall |
| Adjutant | Capt. W.J. Spear |
| Lt.-Quartermaster | Lt. L.T. Honeyburn |
| Intelligence Officer | 2/Lt. R.F. Cutler |
| Technical Adjutant | Capt. W.E. Hughes |
| M.T. Officer | Lt. R.W. Taylor |
| O.C. “A” Company | Maj. A.N.W. Kidston |
| O.C. “B” Company | Maj. W.P.M. Allen |
| O.C. “C” Company | Maj. G.D. Kaines |
| O.C. “D” Company | Maj. J.R.C. Kenyon |
| O.C. H.Q. Company | Maj. M.C.D. King |
| Battalion Headquarters | |
| Commanding Officer | Lt. Col. M. Crawford |
| Second-in-Command | Maj. W.A. Venour |
| Adjutant | Capt. W.J. Spear |
| Intelligence Officer | Lt. R.F. Cutler |
| R.S.M. | J. Castree |
| H.Q. Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Capt. M.C.D. King |
| Signals Officer | Capt. I.D. Brotherton |
| Quartermaster | Lt. L.T. Honeybun |
| M.T. Officer | Lt. E.H. Taylor |
| Medical Officer | Capt. S. Falk, R.A.M.C. |
| W.O. i/c L.A.D.A.S.M. | C. Mordy, R.E.M.E. |
| R.Q.M.S. | F. Woodall |
| C.S.M. | J. Tew |
| C.Q.M.S. | R. Wheeler |
| Attached | Maj. L.H.J. de la M. Herepath |
| “A” Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Maj. A.N.W. Kidston |
| Second-in-Command | Capt. H.G. Wells |
| No. 3 Platoon | Lt. L. Preston |
| No. 4 Platoon | Lt. R.H. Lake |
| No. 5 Platoon | Lt. C.E.E. Spencer |
| C.S.M. | G. Chandler |
| C.Q.M.S. | A. Gray |
| “B” Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Maj. W.P.M. Allen |
| Second-in-Command | Capt. H.A.J. Jennings |
| No. 6 Platoon | Lt. E.R. Chamberlain |
| No. 7 Platoon | Lt. D.E. Bloomer |
| No. 8 Platoon | Lt. G.E. Dearburgh |
| C.S.M. | E. Armstrong |
| C.Q.M.S. | F. Gray |
| “C” Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Maj. G.D. Kaines |
| Second-in-Command | Capt. A.L. Page |
| No. 9 Platoon | Lt. E.J. Grove |
| No. 10 Platoon | Capt. C.J. Scanlan |
| No. 11 Platoon | Lt. M. Rawes |
| C.S.M. | N. Reece |
| C.Q.M.S. | C. Hardy |
| “D” Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Maj. J.R.C. Kenyon |
| Second-in-Command | Capt. D.C. Glenny |
| Signals Officer | Lt. I.H. Wilson |
| No. 12 Platoon | Lt. A. Clark |
| Second-in-Command | Lt. C.R. Oakley |
| No. 13 Platoon | Capt. I.D. Marjoribanks |
| Second-in-Command | Lt. I.W. Mepham |
| No. 14 Platoon | Capt. J.H.L. Pennock |
| Second-in-Command | Lt. D. Clark |
| No. 15 Platoon | Lt. F.R. Waiting |
| Second-in-Command | Lt. J.M.U. Robins |
| C.S.M. | W. Morriss |
| C.Q.M.S. | A. Read |
| Commanding Officer | Lt. Col. M. Crawford |
| Second-in-Command | Maj. G.D. Kaines M.C. |
| Adjutant | Capt. I.D. Maclean |
| Technical Adjutant | Capt. W.E. Hughes |
| Intelligence Officer | Lt. R.F. Cutler |
| R.S.M. | J. Castree |
| H.Q. Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Capt. A.L. Page |
| Signals Officer | Capt. I.D. Brotherton |
| Quartermaster | Capt.(Q.M.) L.T. Honeybun |
| Transport Officer | Lt. G.H. Postlethwaite |
| Medical Officer | Capt. S. Falk, R.A.M.C. |
| W.O. i/c L.A.D. | A.S.M. C. Mordy, R.E.M.E. |
| R.Q.M.S. | F. Woodall |
| C.S.M. | F. Castle |
| C.Q.M.S. | E. Dunn |
| “A” Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Maj. M.C.D. King M.C. |
| Second-in-Command | Capt. J.H.H. Whybrow |
| No. 3 Platoon | Lt. A.P. Perdeau |
| No. 4 Platoon | Lt. L.H. Phillips |
| No. 5 Platoon | Lt. J. Fleming M.C. |
| C.S.M. | C. Hardy |
| C.Q.M.S. | T. Beck |
| “B” Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Maj. W.P.M. Allen M.C. |
| Second-in-Command | Capt. V.G. Guest |
| No. 6 Platoon | Lt. E.R. Chamberlain |
| No. 7 Platoon | Lt. D. Bloomer |
| No. 8 Platoon | Lt. H. Chapman |
| C.S.M. | J. Newman |
| C.Q.M.S. | F. Gray |
| “C” Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Maj. H.G. Wells M.C. |
| Second-in-Command | Capt. L. Preston |
| No. 9 Platoon | Lt. E.N. Parsons |
| No. 10 Platoon | Lt. J.K. Hopkinson |
| No. 11 Platoon | Lt. J.C.J. Marshall |
| C.S.M. | H. Reece |
| C.Q.M.S. | L. Harris |
| “D” Company | |
| Officer Commanding | Maj. J.R.C. Kenyon M.C. |
| Second-in-Command | Capt. D.C. Glenny |
| Signals Officer | Lt. I.H. Wilson |
| No. 12 Platoon | Capt. A. Clark |
| Second-in-Command | Lt. C.R. Oakley |
| No. 13 Platoon | Capt. W.G. Mynott |
| Second-in-Command | Lt. I.W. Mepham |
| No. 14 Platoon | Capt. J.H.L. Pennock |
| Second-in-Command | Lt. D. Clark |
| No. 15 Platoon | Capt. I.D. Marjoribanks M.C. |
| Second-in-Command | Lt. G.D. Perfect |
| C.S.M. | W. Morriss |
| C.Q.M.S. | A. Read |
During the time the 1/8th Bn was part of it, the 43rd Infantry Division was in the following theatres and battles.
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 03 September, 1939, to 17 June, 1944 | United Kingdom | |
| 17 June, 1944, to 24 June, 1944 | At Sea | |
| 24 June, 1944, t0 31 August, 1945 | North West Europe |
|
| Casualties | Officers | Other Ranks |
| Killed in action and died of wounds | 3 | 58 |
| Wounded | 9 | 226 |
| Prisoners of War | – | 2 |
| Injuries and Sickness | 10 | 304 |
| Transfers to Other Units | 5 | 37 |
| Total Casualties | 27 | 627 |
| Number of Evacuated who Rejoined | 5 | 392 |
| Number of Reinforcements | 18 | 205 |
| Ammunition | ||
| Mark VIII Z Expended | 9,843,050 rounds | |
| 4.2-inch Mortar | 326,284 H.E. bombs | |
| Smoke Bombs | 2,007 | |
| Petrol | 160,102 gallons | |
| Oil | 33,007 pints | |
2nd/8th
The Divisional MG Battalion to the 61st Infantry Division between 11 November, 1941, and 20 May, 1942.
The 61st Infantry Division was a Home Defence Division which served in Northern Ireland in 1941-1942. In 1943, the Battalion was reconstituted as the 1st Battalion (to replace the 1st which was lost at Hong Kong) and in September of that year was moved to the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division.
Post-Second World War
After the Second World War, the MG assets reverted to MG Platoons within support companies of Infantry Battalions.
