47th (London) Infantry Division
| 2nd London Division[1] 47th (London) Infantry Division[1] 47th Infantry (Reserve) Division | |
|---|---|
|
Formation sign of the 47th (London) Infantry Division | |
| Active | 1939-1946 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch | Territorial Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
The 2nd London Division was a 2nd Line Territorial Army infantry division of the British Army, duplicate of the 1st London Division, during the Second World War. On 21 November 1940, the division was renamed as the 47th (London) Infantry Division.[1]
The formation sign depicted two bells tied with a bow (Bow Bells of London).[2]
History
The division was formed in the Territorial Army as a 2nd Line duplicate of the 1st London Division. In September 1939 it was organized as a Motor Division; however it was reorganized as an Infantry Division in June 1940, with the addition of the 25th Infantry Brigade. On 21 November 1940 it was redesignated as the 47th (London) Infantry Division. On 1 September 1944 it was redesignated as 47th Infantry (Reserve) Division became a reserve division, in which capacity it remained through the rest of the war. The division remained in the United Kingdom throughout the Second World War.
Commanders
The following officers commanded 47th Division during the war:
- Major-General Harry Willans (1940)
- Brigadier William Havelock Ramsden (1940)
- Major-General Clifford Cecil Malden (1940-1941)
- Brigadier Pat Bradshaw (1941)
- Major-General John Edward Utterson-Kelso (1941-1942)
- Major-General Gerald Templer (1942)
- Major-General Alfred Eryk Robinson (1942-1944)
Order of battle
- 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
- 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
- 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles (Royal Ulster Rifles)
- 4th London Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company
- 140th (London) Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company
- 2nd Battalion, London Rifle Brigade (Rifle Brigade)
- 2nd Battalion, Queen's Westminsters (King's Royal Rifle Corps)
- 2nd Battalion, London Scottish (Gordon Highlanders)
- 1st Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment (Middlesex Regiment)
- 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment
- 25th Infantry Brigade (from 25 June 1940)
- 4th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
- 4th Battalion, Border Regiment
- 1/7th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
- 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment
- 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
Divisional Troops
- 2nd Battalion, Queen Victoria's Rifles (King's Royal Rifle Corps) (Motorcycle Battalion, left 13 June 1940)
- 117th (7th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
- 138th (City of London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
- 2nd London Division Signals Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals
See also
- List of British divisions in World War II
- British Army Order of Battle (September 1939)
- 56th (London) Infantry Division
- 47th (1/2nd London) Division
Notes
References
- Joslen, Lieutenant-Colonel H.F (1960). Orders Of Battle Second World War 1939-1945. Naval & Military Press Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
- Cole, H. (1973). Formation Badges of World War 2. British Commonwealth and Empire. London: Arms and Armour Press.
External links
- 2 London Infantry Division at Orders of Battle.com
- 4 London Infantry Brigade at Orders of Battle.com
- 5 London Infantry Brigade at Orders of Battle.com
- 6 London Infantry Brigade at Orders of Battle.com
- Royal Artillery Site