2nd Cavalry Division (United Kingdom)

2nd Cavalry Division
Active World War I
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
Type Cavalry
Size Division
Engagements Battle of the Aisne
Second Battle of Ypres
Battle of Arras
Battle of Cambrai
Battle of the Somme 1918
Battle of Amiens 1918
Second Battle of the Somme 1918
Hindenburg Line 1918
Advance in Picardy
Commanders
Notable
commanders
General Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough , GCB, GCMG, KCVO

The 2nd Cavalry Division was a regular British Army division that saw service in World War I. It also known as Gough's Command, after its commanding General and was part of the initial British Expeditionary Force which landed in France in September 1914.[1] It was involved in most of the major actions where cavalry were used as a mounted mobile force, and also many where the troops were dismounted and effectively served as infantry.[2] On November 11, 1918 , units of the division were east and northeast of Mons, in Belgium. Orders were received that the division would lead the advance of Fourth Army into Germany, a move that was to begin on November 17, 1918. On December 1, it crossed the frontier south of St Vith.[2] The winter was spent south of Liege, and demobilisation commenced.[2] The division ceased to exist on March 31, 1919.[2]

Contents

Order of battle

3rd Cavalry Brigade

4th Cavalry Brigade

5th Cavalry Brigade

Divisional Artillery

All units of the Royal Horse Artillery unless shown

Divisional Engineers

Divisional Commanders

Major General Sir H. de la P. Gough from formation in October 1914 until April 1915.
Major General C.T. McM. Kavanagh from 19 April 1915 to July 1915.
Major General Sir P. Chetwode from 15 July 1915 to November 1916.
Major General W. Greenly from 16 November 1916 to April 1918.
Major General T. Pitman from 16 April 1918.

References