The Royal Naval Division

(aka Winston's Little Army.)

Early pattern RND shoulder title: often used as a cap badge before the battalion badges appeared in late 1916. (except the Royal Marines, who always had their "Globe & Laurel").

The Royal Naval Division was conceived & founded by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Spencer Churchill, in late August 1914. The RND later became one of the best fighting formations on the Western Front. It was also one of the most contravertial, having to fight both political & military opponents to preserve its existance during the war. The British Army was the main problem, unable to accept the Naval traditions practised by the officers & men. The Royal Naval sailors & marines (mainly Royal Marines & Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) which composed the Division, retained their sea-going slang, grew beards, were better paid, & generally annoyed the Army with their individuality. A great many excellent books are available for students of the RND, telling their story from the highest to the lowest rank. All are excellent & highly recommended:-

Command in the Royal Naval Division; a biography of Brig. Gen. Arthur Asquith DSO. by Capt. Christopher Page RN.

Gallipoli as I saw it; Jos. Murray, Able Seaman, Hood Bn., account of RND throughout Gallipoli.

Call to Arms. From Gallipoli to the Western Front; Jos. Murray, Able Seaman, Hood Bn., his second book, an account of RND in France 1916 to April 1917.

The Hood Battalion; by Len Sellers, complete history of the Hoods in WW1.

The Royal Naval Division; by Douglas Jerrold.

The Hawke Battalion; by Douglas Jerrold.

"RND" Magazine; by Len Sellers.

The Royal Naval Division

Badges, Units & Order of Battle 1914-19.

(note: the 12 Battalions forming the RND were originally numbered 1-12. This numbering system was dropped after their return from Antwerp in late October 1914, probably to avoid confusion with the 1st-6th Depot Bns. then forming at Crystal Palace & the proposed 1st-7th Reserve Bns. which later resided at the RND Camp, Blandford).

Drake Battalion

Auxilio Divino (With the help of God)

1st Bn. 1st RN Brigade, RND 1914.

Gallipoli, MEF (Dardanelles) April 1915-Jan.1916.

MEF (Mudros & Imbros) Jan.-May 1916

BEF (France & Belgium) May 1916-May 1919
189th Brigade, 63rd (RN) Division 19/7/1916-May 1919.

 

Benbow Battalion
(disbanded before cap-badges were issued).

(please note there is a common confusion of Benbow as "3rd Battalion")

2nd Bn. 1st RN Brigade 1914. During their retreat from Antwerp in Oct. 1914, the majority of Benbow Bn. crossed into Holland & were Interned for the Duration. A new Benbow Bn. was raised, but they remained in England when the RND sailed for the Dardanelles, finally joining the RND at Cape Helles 30/5/15. After the RND's massive losses at the 'Third Battle of Krithia" 4/6/15, the Benbow Bn. were chosen to be disbanded 12/6/15 (along with the Collingwood Bn. 8/6/15) to reinforce the five depleted Naval Battalions, Drake, Hood, Howe, Anson & Nelson. The Benbow Bn. suffered negligible losses on the 4th of June & along with Hawke Bn, were the only full strength RND Battalions left. However, the reason they were chosen for the 'chop' seems to have been based upon certain observations of the new 'Benbows' by senior officers. Suffice to say, those observations were premature & the ex-Benbows went on to serve in the Drake, Hood, Anson, Nelson & Howe Bns. with great distinction.

B.Z/325 AB Victor Coombs RNVR
Late 'B' Company Benbow Battn.
Transferred to Nelson Battn. 12/6/15
KIA 13/7/15.

Hawke Battalion

(please note there is a common confusion of Hawke as "2nd Battalion")

3rd Bn. 1st RN Brigade 1914.
During their retreat from Antwerp in Oct. 1914, the majority of Hawke Bn. were either captured by the Germans or crossed into Holland & Interned for the Duration. A new Hawke Bn. was raised; 'D' Company was formed by volunteers from the 'Public Schools Battalion.' They remained in England when the RND sailed for the Dardanelles, finally rejoining the RND at Cape Helles 30/5/15.

Gallipoli, MEF (Dardanelles) 30/5/15-Jan.1916.

MEF (Mudros & Imbros) Jan.-May 1916.

BEF (France & Belgium) May 1916-May 1919
189th Brigade, 63rd (RN) Division 19/7/1916-May 1919.

Hawke Bn. shoulder title fashioned by a POW or Internee (Ian Wardell collection)

Hawke Bn. Sweetheart brooch (Ian Wardell collection)

Collingwood Battalion
(disbanded before cap-badges were issued).

4th Bn. 1st RN Brigade 1914.
During their retreat from Antwerp in Oct. 1914, the majority of Collingwood Bn. were either captured by the Germans or crossed into Holland & Interned for the Duration. A new Collingwood Bn. was raised, but they remained in England when the RND sailed for the Dardanelles, finally rejoining the RND at Cape Helles 30/5/15. After the RND's massive losses at the 'Third Battle of Krithia" 4/6/15, the Collingwood Bn. were chosen to be disbanded 8/6/15 (along with the Benbow Bn. 12/6/15) to reinforce the five depleted Naval Battalions. The ex-Collingwoods went on to serve with great distinction.

THE COLLINGWOOD MYTH.

It is supposed by many, that the Collingwood Battalion was all but destroyed at Gallipoli 4/6/15.
A Memorial was erected at Blandford & an annual service of rememberance is still held there around the 4th of June. HOWEVER; the "Collingwood's" immortality within RND history is mainly due to the fact they were a newly raised '2nd' or 'replacement' Collingwood Bn. & that they lasted only ten days at Cape Helles before disbandment.
From their total of approx. 1000 men, they suffered only 185 men killed in action 4/6/15, with 15-20 men dying from wounds later, together with about 400 men wounded. This still left about 400 men in the battalion, a number very similar to the strength of other RND battalions in May (before the first reinforcements arrived).
It was the need for immediate reinforcements for five of the Naval Battalions that provided the real reason for the disbandment of the Collingwoods. The Drake, Anson, Howe, Hood & Nelson battalions had all suffered serious casualties 4-6/6/15 & the RND GOC, General Paris, was faced with no option but to disband battalions to provide the neccesary reinforcements. Of the eight Naval battalions, he chose two of the newest arrivals, Collingwood & Benbow. This was done partly to preserve the newly acquired battle honours of the RND battalions which had fought so hard from the start of the campaign. The Collingwood battalion was under half-strength in men & had almost no officers remaining, so was perhaps a natural choice, but still provided about 400 men as reinforcements. However, the Benbow battalion was at full strength, having had only about seven men killed & provided the bulk of the reinforcements.

Of the greatest importance (& why I believe their demise was so lamented & documented) was the fact that their losses in officers killed was exceptionally high. Sub.Lt. Oscar Freyberg RNVR, the brother of Lord Freyberg VC DSO (then serving in the Hood Bn), was just one noted man killed.

An officer of the '2nd' Collingwood Bn, Lt. Geary RM (one of the few survivors of the 4th of June 1915), compiled a book which contained photos & biographical details of all the officers & a nominal roll of the other ranks, which gave only their Platoon, Company, pay number, home address & their fate on 4/6/15. Despite the lack of information on other ranks, the recorded details of the Collingwood Bn. are now the envy of all WW1 historians (if only they had documented ALL WW1 Battalions such!).

Nelson Battalion

5th Bn. 2nd RN Brigade 1914.

Gallipoli, MEF (Dardanelles) April 1915-Jan.1916
First landed at ANZAC Beachhead 29/4/15. Transferred to Cape Helles 13/5/15.

MEF (Mudros) Jan.-May 1916.

BEF (France & Belgium) May 1916-Feb.1918
189th Brigade, 63rd (RN) Division 19/7/1916-Feb.1918.
Disbanded in France February 1918; personnel absorbed by remaining Naval & RMLI Battalions.

Howe Battalion

6th Bn. 2nd RN Brigade, RND 1914.

Gallipoli, MEF (Dardanelles) April 1915-Jan.1916.

MEF (Mudros & Stavros, Salonica) Jan.- May 1916

Served with 2nd Brigade, RND at Stavros, Salonika, Feb.-April 1916.

BEF (France & Belgium) May 1916-Feb.1918
188th Brigade, 63rd (RN) Division 19/7/1916-Feb.1918.
Disbanded in February 1918; personnel absorbed by remaining Naval & RMLI Battalions.

Hood Battalion
(The "Steadies.")

7th Bn. 2nd RN Brigade, RND 1914.

Gallipoli, MEF (Dardanelles) April 1915-Jan.1916.

MEF (Mudros & Tenedos) Jan.-May 1916.

BEF (France & Belgium) May 1916-May 1919
189th Brigade, 63rd (RN) Division 19/7/1916-May 1919.

 

Anson Battalion

Nil Desperandum (Despair of nothing)

8th Bn. 2nd RN Brigade, RND 1914.

Gallipoli, MEF (Dardanelles) April 1915 - Jan.1916.

MEF (Mudros & Stavros, Salonica) Jan.-May 1916
Served with 2nd Brigade, RND at Stavros, Salonika, Feb.-April 1916.

BEF (France & Belgium) May 1916-May 1919
188th Brigade, 63rd (RN) Division 19/7/1916-May 1919.

The Royal Marine Brigade (Aug.-Nov.1914)

Cap badge worn by all RMLI Bns. at Antwerp, Gallipoli & on the Western Front. Note the "Light Infantry" stringed bugle, denoting their soldier-sailor status.

Officers' Shoulder-Title RMLI WW1.

Served at the Defence of Antwerp in Oct. 1914 (also at Dunkirk & Ostend). All RND who served in France & Belgium in 1914 were entltled (somewhat contraversially) to the 1914 Star; many to the 1914 Star & Bar.

9th (Chatham) Battalion RMLI

10th (Portsmouth) Battalion RMLI

11th (Plymouth) Battalion RMLI

12th (Deal) Battalion RMLI

The Royal Marine Brigade was formed in Aug. 1914 from untrained RMLI Depot (Deal) recruits, RMLI Royal Fleet Reservists (Class 'A' & 'B') & regular Long-Service Marines made available from their home Divisions. A Battalion of RMA was originally brigaded, but was withdrawn & replaced by the "Deal Battalion" in mid Sept. 1914.

The 3rd Royal Marine Brigade (Nov.1914-Aug. 1915)

The 3rd Royal Marine Brigade, renamed to conform with RND Brigade Nos., had a short life. The four RMLI Bns. listed above formed the Brigade, but minus their number prefixes. After suffering crippling losses at ANZAC & Cape Helles (April-Aug. 1915), the four RMLI Bns. were amalgamated to form two new RM Bns:-

The 1st Royal Marine Bn. (aka The 1st Bn. RMLI)
Chatham formed "A" & "B" Coys.
Deal formed "C" & "D" Coys.

The 2nd Royal Marine Bn. (aka The 2nd Bn. RMLI)
Portsmouth formed "A" & "B" Coys.
Plymouth formed "C" & "D" Coys.

Five days after the amalgamation of the four RMLI Bns. the 3rd Royal Marine Brigade was disbanded & the two new RM Bns. were brigaded with the Howe & Anson Bns. to form the new:-

2nd Naval Brigade (Aug. 1915-May/June 1916)

1st Royal Marine Bn.

2nd Royal Marine Bn. (disbanded 28/4/18. Personnel to 1st RM Bn.)

Anson Bn.

Howe Bn. (disbanded in Feb.1918. Personnel to other RND Bns.)

The new 2nd Naval Brigade & the amalgamation of the four RMLI Bns, was intended as a stop-gap measure until reinforcements allowed the reconstitution of their original formations. Unfortunately the reinforcements were never forthcoming & despite honest intentions, the two RM Bns. remained unchanged until April 1918. However, the 2nd Naval Brigade was disbanded in May 1916 on arrival in France, & the 3rd RM Bde. briefly reformed. There followed an exercise in Admiralty mathematics, whereby they got their calculations hopelessly wrong for the numbers of drafts available. Not before 1st & 2nd Hood Bns. had been formed in France, & 2nd Hawke, 2nd Anson & 2nd Drake Bns. at Blandford, was the truth revealed & all "2nd" Bns. disbanded. The end result was that for a short time the two RM Bns., with Howe & Anson Bns., became part of a "new" 1st RN Brigade. However as the Army had now taken control of the Division, it was decided to bring their designation into line with the Army's idea of titles. The RND was renamed "The 63rd (RN) Division & the "new" 1st RN Bde. became:-

188th Infantry Brigade (July 1916-May 1919)

1st Royal Marine Bn.

2nd Royal Marine Bn.

Anson Bn.

Howe Bn.

This new formation was to last until Feb. 1918, when the neccesary change in British Army units affected the Brigade strength. The Howe Bn. was disbanded, leaving only three Bns. to the Brigade. In late April 1918, the 2nd RM Bn. was disbanded & its personnel absorbed by the 1st RM Bn. From May 1918 only the 1st RM Bn. remained from the four RMLI Bns. who had fought at Antwerp & Gallipoli.


The RMLI were the envy of all the RND Naval Bns., who did not receive their cap badges until late 1916 in France. They had to make do with the naval style cap tally on a khaki sailors cap; but some adopted the RMLI badge for their own use.
Above is a photo of K.P/806 AB Albert Burnett RNVR, Anson Bn., taken at Malta in mid-1915, whilst convalescing from wounds received 4/6/15 at Cape Helles. In the minds of the RNVR serving in the RND, they were every bit as good as the Marines & perfectly entitled to adopt their badge. The Marines were famous for their service ashore, but there was no real difference between them & the RNVR at Gallipoli. The English Press often referred to all RND servicemen as "Marines" & this generic term is perfectly valid.

RND Machine Gun Companies.

Badge worn by 188th, 189th, 190th & 223rd MG Coys from late 1916 (also by the 63rd MG Bn. in 1918) The 190th Bde. MG Coy. were originally formed from RMLI only, but were later forced to absorb a mix of RNVR & RMLI.

The MG Coys. were formed on arrival in France in May 1916, from a proportion of the existing MG sections from the 6 Naval Battalions, & completed by specially trained drafts from England.

 

The Royal Naval Division's Xmas Card 1916.

Supplied to all RND (Naval) troops after the Battle of the Ancre & posted to their families from France with (usually) just a signature on the inside.

The Card makes light of their Naval Status; marooned on a raft in a sea of mud. "Up Anchor" is a pun on the River Ancre, the scene of their recent victorious advance on the NW bank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

W.Z/645 AB Harry Lawrence SUMMERSIDE

Born: 25/10/1880. H/A on enlistment: 51 Miers St, Swansea; later: 2 Clarendon Cotts, Horbury Rd, South Ossett, Yorks. A Wagon Builder. Joined Nelson Bn, RND, at Cape Helles 21/9/15. Contracted dysentery & evacuated from the Peninsula 28/10/15, thence to the UK aboard the SS "Mauritania" at Mudros 4/12/15. Demobilised to Civil Employement with Messrs. The Patent Shaft & Axletree Co. Ltd, Wednesbury, Staffs 14/8/16 & H/A: Laburnham House, Over Lane, Belper, Derbyshire.

Photo most likely taken at Blandford in Mid-1915. Note the RND Cap Tally & blue Naval rig; soon to be exchanged for RND khaki before sailing to the Dardanelles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

W.Z/881 AB Simon Owen JAMES

From Cwmavow, Port Talbot. Joined 'C' Coy, Anson Bn, RND, Cape Helles 25/10/15. Transferred with Anson Bn. to France 19/5/16. To Hospital France 25/10/16 Influenza. Discharged to Unit 28/10/16. To 29th CCS France 16/1/17 Influenza. To Duty 20/1/17. Posted to 188th Bde. HQ France 5/2/17 as Servant to Sub/Lt. Rushton RNVR, Labour Coy. Rejoined Anson 18/3/17. KIA 26/5/17.

One of the most patriotically posed RND photos I have ever seen. Again, dated about Mid-1915.