Cheshire Regiment - Roll of Honour of Officers of the Cheshire Regiment Who Died in the Great War - Organisation and Order of Battle of the Cheshire Regiment in the Great War

Service Battalions. By spring 1915 it had become clear that voluntary recruitment was not going to provide the numbers of men required. The Government passed the National Registration Act on 15th July 1915 as a step towards stimulating recruitment and to discover how many men between the ages of 15 and 65 were engaged in each trade. The results of this census became available by mid-September 1915 and on 11th October 1915, Lord Derby was appointed Director-General of Recruiting. He brought forward a scheme five days later, always called the Derby Scheme, for raising the numbers. It was half-way to conscription. Disappointed at the results of the Derby Scheme, the Government introduced the Military Service Act on 27 January 1916. All voluntary enlistment was stopped as all British males were now deemed to have enlisted - that is, they were conscripted - if they were aged between 18 and 41 and resided in Great Britain (excluding Ireland) and were unmarried or a widower on 2 November 1915. Conscripted men were no longer given a choice of which service, regiment or unit they joined, although if a man preferred the navy it got priority to take him. This act was extended to married men on 25 May 1916.

The Training Organisation, based on the Regimental Reserve and Second Reserve Battalions could not cope with the sheer number of conscripted men now available and a new system was put in place on 1st September 1916 to deal with these numbers. All New-Army Regimental Reserve Battalions would lose their Regimental identity and become a Battalion of the Training Reserve. The role of these Battalions was to train new recruits for active service and dispatch drafts to Battalions overseas:

14th (Reserve) Battalion. Formed 59th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916.
17th (Reserve) Battalion. Formed 74th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916.

Garrison Battalions. Garrison Battalions were formed from 1915 of men permanently unfit for active service on account of age, infirmity, sickness, or wounds but considered fit for Garrison and Internal Security duties in the UK and overseas. These Battalions were designed to release Regular and TF Battalions from these duties for front line service. The Cheshire Regiment raised the following Garrison Battalions:

1st Garrison Battalion. Formed at Chester on 1st August 1915 for duties in Gibraltar.
2nd Garrison Battalion. Formed at Bebington in October 1915 for duties in Egypt and Palestine.
3rd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion. Formed at Chester in November 1915 for duties in UK. Became 11th Battalion Royal Defence Corps in August 1917.

Labour Battalions. Labour Battalions were formed from men not up to combat service standard but considered fit for labouring duties at ports, docks and depots in base and operational theatres as well as rail and road repair and building defensive works. The Cheshire Regiment formed 5 Labour Battalions:

18th Labour Battalion. Formed at Oldham in March 1916 for duties in the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 56th and 57th Companies.
19th Labour Battalion. Formed at Oldham in April 1916 for duties with the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 58th and 59th Companies.
20th Labour Battalion. Formed at Chester in June 1916 for duties with the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 60th and 61st Companies.
21st Labour Battalion. Formed at Chester in August 1916 for duties with the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 62nd and 63rd Companies.
22nd Labour Battalion. Formed at Chester in December 1916 for duties with the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 64th and 65th Companies.

More Reorganisations.

Training Reserve Battalions. In 1917 the Training Reserve (TR) was re-organised to provide better and more specialised training for recruits and a total of 14 TR Battalions were designated "Young Soldier" and "Graduated" Battalions. This system saw these new Young Soldier Battalions take in and trains 18 year olds recruits and train them step by step until the recruits could be posted, in Company strength, to Graduated Battalions for further training until ready to be sent to active service units. In October 1917, these Battalions were affiliated to Regiments and the Cheshire Regiment were allocated:

51st (Graduated) Battalion. Formed at The Curragh from 213th Graduated Battalion (formerly 59th Training Reserve Battalion/13th (Reserve) Battalion South Wales Borderers). When 65th Division was broken up in March 1918, the Battalion remained at The Curragh.
52nd (Graduated) Battalion. Formed at The Curragh from 221st Graduated Battalion (formerly 61st Training Reserve Battalion/21st (Reserve) Battalion Welsh Regiment). When 65th Division was broken up in March 1918, the Battalion remained at The Curragh.
53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion. Formed at Kinmel, Rhyl from 62nd Training Reserve Battalion/12th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers). Men recruited as conscripts under the Military Service Act 1916 who were aged up to 18 years and 5 months would begin their training with a Young Soldier Battalion. On reaching 18 years and 5 months the recruits would be posted on to a Graduated Battalion.

Territorial Force (TF)

23rd Battalion TF. Formed at Happisburgh Norfolk on 1st January 1917 from personnel of the 47th Provisional Battalion TF (formerly Home Service personnel of the 2/4th, 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions TF of the Cheshire Regiment). Remained with 224th Brigade in Home and Coastal Defence role. Deployed to BEF in May 1918 to 178th Brigade/59th Division and retitled as a Garrison Guard Battalion. In June 1918 transferred to 121st Brigade/40th Division reverting to original title.

Home Service Battalions

24th (Home Service) Battalion. Formed at Mundesley on 27th April 1918 replacing 23rd Battalion TF in 224th Brigade, when that unit deployed to the BEF.

Battalion	Formed	Brigade	Division	Other Assignments	Notes and Post War
1st Battalion	Regular Battalion	15th Brigade	5th Division		Based at Londonderry at Declaration of War. Deployed to BEF 16th October 1914 under command of 15th Brigade/ 5th Division/ II Corps, where it remained for the duration of the war. Reconstituted and remained a Regular Battalion after the war.
2nd Battalion	Regular Battalion		GHQ India	84th Bde/28th Division	Based at Jubbulpore, India at Declaration of War. Returned to UK, landing at Devonport on 24th December 1914, placed under command of 84th Brigade/28th Division. To BEF 17th January 1915. Re-deployed with the Division to Salonika in November 1915 where it remained for the duration of war. Reconstituted and remained a Regular Battalion after the war.
4th Battalion TF (formed 1/4th Battalion TF and 2/4th Battalion TF in September 1914)	4th Bn - Birkenhead - 1908 1/4th Bn - Birkenhead - September 1914	Cheshire Brigade TF	Welsh Division TF	Formation HQs became159th Bde/53rd (Welsh) Div, 13 May 15. 102nd Bde/34th Div	1/4th Battalion TF was formed on reorganisation of 4th Battalion. Sailed for Gallipoli in July 1915 landing on 9th August 1915. Withdrawn with 53rd Division to Egypt in December 1915. Fought in Egypt and Palestine with Division until May 1918 when the Battalion was deployed to BEF. Placed under command of 102nd Brigade/34th Division in July 1918. Remained with 34th Division to end of war and Division was chosen as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany.
5th (Earl of Chester's) Battalion TF (formed 1/5th Battalion TF and 2/5th Battalion TF in September 1914)	5th Bn - Chester - 1908 1/5th Bn - Chester - September 1914	Cheshire Brigade TF	Welsh Division TF	Formation HQs became 159th Bde/53rd (Welsh) Div, 13 May 15. 14th Bde/5th Division Pioneer Battalion 5th Division Pioneer Battalion 56th (London) Division	1/5th Battalion TF was formed on reorganisation of 5th Battalion. Battalion deployed to BEF under command of 14th Brigade/5th Division in February 1915. Converted to Pioneer Battalion of 5th Division in November 1915. Transferred to Pioneer Battalion 56th (London) Division in February 1916 where it remained until the end of the war.
6th Battalion TF (formed 1/6th Battalion TF and 2/6th Battalion TF in September 1914)	6th Bn - Stockport - 1908 1/6th Bn - Stockport - September 1914	Cheshire Brigade TF	Welsh Division TF	Formation HQs became159th Bde/53rd (Welsh) Div, 13 May 15. 15th Bde/5th Div GHQ Troops 20th Bde/7th Div 118thBde/39th Div 75th Bde/25th Div 21st Bde/30th Div	1/6th Battalion TF was formed on reorganisation of 6th Battalion TF. Battalion deployed to BEF in November 1914 and placed under command of 15th Brigade/5th Division. Transferred to GHQ duties in March 1915 then to 20th Brigade/7th Division in January 1916. Placed under command of 118th Brigade/39th Division in February 1916 then to 75th Brigade/25th Division in May 1918. Due to many losses in the German advances of March/April 1918 the Battalion was transferred to 21st Brigade/30th Division after much reinforcement, where it remained for the rest of the war
7th Battalion TF. (formed 1/7th Battalion TF and 2/7th Battalion TF in September 1914)	7th Bn - Macclesfield - 1908 1/7th Bn - Macclesfield - September 11914	Cheshire Brigade TF	Welsh Division TF	Formation HQs became159th Bde/53rd Welsh Div, 13 May 15. 102nd Bde/34th Div	1/7th Battalion TF was formed on reorganisation of 7th Battalion. Sailed for Gallipoli in July 1915 landing on 9th August 1915. Withdrawn with 53rd Division to Egypt in December 1915. Fought in Egypt and Palestine with Division until May 1918 when the Battalion was deployed to BEF. Placed under command of 102nd Brigade/34th Division in July 1918. Remained with 34th Division to end of war and Division was chosen as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany.
8th (Service) Battalion	Chester - 12th August 1914 (Part of K1)	40th Brigade	13th (Western) Division		To Gallipoli 5th August 1915, then to Egypt with Division in December 1915. To Mesopotamia with Division in February 1916 where it remained for duration of war.
9th (Service) Battalion	Chester - 13th September 1914 (Part of K2)	58th Brigade	19th (Western) Division	56th Bde/19th Div	To BEF with Division on 19th July 1915. Transferred to 56th Brigade, within 19th Division on 7th February 1918 where it remained until end of war.
10th (Service) Battalion	Chester - 10th September 1914 (Part of K3)	75th Brigade	25th Division	7th Bde/25th Div	To BEF with Division 26th September 1915. Transferred to 7th Brigade within 25th Division on 26th October 1915. Reduced to cadre strength on 21st June 1918 after German Offensives and returned to UK where it was absorbed by 15th Bn SWB.
11th (Service) Battalion	Chester - 17th September 1914 (Part of K3)	75th Brigade	25th Division		To BEF with Division 26th September 1915. Transferred to 7th Brigade within 25th Division on 26th October 1915. Reduced to cadre strength on 17th June 1918 after German Offensives and personnel had transferred to 1/6th Battalion. Cadre temporarily attached to 39th Div to assist in the instruction of American Army units. Cadre was disbanded on 3rd August 1918.
12th (Service) Battalion	Chester - September 1914 (Part of K3)		22nd Division	66th Bde/22nd Div	Deployed to BEF with Division 6th September 1915 then to Salonika with Division in November 1915 where it remained for the rest of the war.
13th (Service) Battalion	Port Sunlight, Wirral - 1st September 1914 (Locally raised)	74th Brigade	25th Division		To BEF with Division on 25th September 1915 where it remained until disbanded on 16th February 1918.
15th (Service) Battalion (1st Birkenhead)	Birkenhead - October 1914 (Locally raised)	105th Brigade	35th Division		Adopted by War Office on 15th August 1915. To BEF with Division in January 1916 where it remained for the duration of the war.
16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Birkenhead)	Birkenhead - 3rd December 1914 (Locally raised)	105th Brigade	35th Division		Adopted by War Office on 15th August 1915. To BEF with Division in January 1916 where it remained until disbanded on 6th February 1918.
18th (Labour) Battalion	Oldham - March 1916		GHQ Troops		To BEF April 1916. Converted to 56th and 57th Labour Companies of the Labour Corps.
19th (Labour) Battalion	Oldham - April 1916		GHQ Troops		To BEF May 1916. Converted to 58th and 59th Labour Companies of the Labour Corps.
20th (Labour) Battalion	Chester - June 1916		GHQ Troops		To BEF July 1916. Converted to 60th and 61st Labour Companies of the Labour Corps.
21st (Labour) Battalion	Chester - August 1916		GHQ Troops		To BEF October 1916. Converted to 62nd and 63rd Labour Companies of the Labour Corps.
22nd (Labour) Battalion	Chester - December 1916		GHQ Troops		To BEF December 1916. Converted to 64th and 65th Labour Companies of the Labour Corps.
23rd Battalion TF	Chester - June 1915	224th Brigade	Home Troops	178th Bde/59th Div	Originally titled the 46th Provisional Battalion TF formed from "Home service Only" men of the 2/4th, 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions TF in June 1915. Used for Home and Coastal Defence duties in eastern UK. On 1st January 1917 the Battalion was retitled as 23rd Battalion TF and on 27th April 1918 became 23rd (Garrison Guard) Battalion. Deployed to BEF on 21st May 1918 and placed under command of 178th Brigade/59th Division. Transferred to 121st Brigade/40th Division on 19th June 1918 when "Garrison Guard" titled was discontinued. Remained with Division until end of war.
1st (Garrison) Battalion	Chester - 1st August 1915		Gibraltar Garrison		Stationed in Gibraltar for duration of war performing Garrison and Internal Security duties.
2nd (Garrison) Battalion	Bebington - October 1915		HQ EEF Troops		To Egypt in 1916 to perform Lines of Communication and Internal Security duties in Egypt and Palestine.
Order of Battle in the Great War UK Based Battalions
3rd (Reserve) Battalion	Chester - Special Regular Reserve - 1908		Home and Coastal Defence, Regular and New Army training, depot and supply of reinforcements		Home and Coastal Defence duties at Mersey Defences. To Newcastle area in 1917 then to Tees Garrison in September 1918.
4th (Reserve) Battalion TF	Oswestry - September 1916		Home Defence, TF Training, depot and supply of reinforcements		Formed from 3/4th Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed 5th (Reserve) Battalion TF, 6th (Reserve) Battalion TF and 7th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 1st September 1916.
2/4th Battalion TF	Birkenhead - 9th September 1914		2nd Line of the 4th Battalion TF. Depot for 1/4th Battalion TF, training and supply of reinforcements, Home and Coastal Defence Duties.		Moved to Aberystwyth in November 1914. To 203rd Brigade/68th Division in March 1915 at Northampton. Moved to Bedford in August 1915 and was absorbed by 2/7th Battalion TF on 8th December 1915..
2/5th (Earl of Chester's) Battalion TF	Chester - 28th November 1914		2nd Line of the 5th Battalion TF. Depot for 1/5th Battalion TF, training and supply of reinforcements, Home and Coastal Defence Duties.		Moved to Aberystwyth in November 1914. Replaced 1/5th Battalion TF in Chester Brigade/ Welsh Division TF at Cambridge on 22nd November 1914. To 204th Brigade/68th Division in April 1915 at Northampton. Moved to Bedford in August 1915 and then to Lowestoft in June 1916. In 1917 moved to Westelton and Bury St Edmunds. Disbanded on 21st April 1918.
2/6th Battalion TF	Stockport - 7th September 1914		2nd Line of 6th Battalion TF. Depot for 1/6th Battalion TF, training and supply of reinforcements, Home and Coastal Defence Duties.		Moved to Aberystwyth in November 1914. Replaced 1/6th Battalion TF in Chester Brigade/ Welsh Division TF at Northampton on 18th February 1915. To 204th Brigade/68th Division on 22nd April 1915 at Cambridge. Moved to Bedford in August 1915 then absorbed 2/5th Battalion Welsh Regiment TF on 22nd November 1915. Moved to Lowestoft in September 1916, to Yarmouth in March 1917 and to Southwold in July 1917. Disbanded on 11th September 1917.
2/7th Battalion TF	Macclesfield - 10th October 1914		2nd Line of 7th Battalion TF. Depot for 1/7th Battalion TF, training and supply of reinforcements, Home and Coastal Defence Duties.		Moved to Northampton and 204th Brigade/68th Division in March 1915. Moved to Bedford in August 1915. Absorbed the 2/4th Battalion TF on 8th December 1915. Moved to Lowestoft in September 1915, to Wrentham in May 1917 and to Southwold in March 1918. Disbanded on 31st March 1918.
3/4th Battalion TF	Birkenhead - March 1915	Chester Reserve Bde	3rd Line of 4th Battalion TF. Depot for 1/4th and 2/4th Battalions, training and supply of reinforcements, Home and Coastal Defence Duties.		Initially moved to Aberystwyth and later to Oswestry. Became 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed 5th (Reserve) Battalion TF, 6th (Reserve) Battalions TF and 7th Battalion TF at Oswestry, on 1st September 1916. Moved to Rhyl in April 1918 then to Whitstable in August 1918.
3/5th (Earl of Chester's) Battalion TF	Chester - March 1915	Chester Reserve Bde	3rd Line of 5th Battalion TF. Depot for 1/5th and 2/5th Battalions, training, and supply of reinforcements, Home and Coastal Defence Duties.		To Oswestry. Became 5th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion on 1st September 1916.
3/6th Battalion TF	Stockport - March 1915	Chester Reserve Bde	3rd Line of 6th Battalion TF. Depot for 1/6th and 2/6th Battalions, training, and supply of reinforcements, Home and Coastal Defence Duties.		To Oswestry. Became 6th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion on 1st September 1916.
3/7th Battalion	Macclesfield - March 1915	Chester Reserve Bde	3rd Line of 7th Battalion TF. Depot for 1/7th and 2/7th Battalions, training, and supply of reinforcements, Home and Coastal Defence Duties.		To Oswestry. Became 7th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion on 1st September 1916.
14th (Reserve) Battalion	Birkenhead - October 1914	105th Bde - 35th Div	Initially part of K4. Became a Reserve Battalion on 10 Apr 15.		To Kimnel, Rhyl in April 1915, then to Prees Heath in August 1915 in 11th (Reserve) Brigade. On 1st September 1916 converted to 59th Training Reserve Battalion of 11th Reserve Brigade.
17th (Reserve) Battalion	Bebington - August 1915	17th (Reserve) Bde	Raised as a Local Reserve Battalion.		To Prees Heath August 1915. Converted to 74th Training Reserve Battalion in 17th Reserve Brigade on 1st September 1916.
24th (Home Service) Battalion	Mundesley - 27th April 1918	224th Bde	Home and Coastal Defence Duties		Replaced 23rd Battalion TF in 224th Brigade when that Battalion was deployed to BEF on 21st may 1918.
3rd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion	Chester - November 1915	UK Home Troops	Docks, ports and Home Service Garrison and Security duties		To Ramsay Isle of Man, November 1915. To Gretna in July 1916. To Liverpool in November 1916. Became 11th Battalion Royal Defence Corps in August 1917.
51st (Graduated) Battalion	The Curragh - 27th October 1917	194th Bde/65th Div	Home Service and Internal Security Duties		Formed at The Curragh from 213th Graduated Battalion (formerly 59th Training Reserve Battalion/13th (Reserve) Battalion South Wales Borderers). When 65th Division was broken up in March 1918, the Battalion remained at The Curragh.
52nd (Graduated) Battalion	The Curragh - 27th October 1917	196th Bde/65th Div	Home Service Garrison and Internal Security duties		Formed at The Curragh from 221st Graduated Battalion (formerly 61st Training Reserve Battalion/21st (Reserve) Battalion Welsh Regiment). When 65th Division was broken up in March 1918, the Battalion remained at The Curragh.
53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion	Kinmel, Rhyl - 27th October 1917	14th (Reserve) Bde	Training of recruits in preparation for posting to a Graduated Battalion.		Formed at Kinmel, Rhyl from 62nd Training Reserve Battalion/12th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers). Men recruited as conscripts under the Military Service Act 1916 who were aged up to 18 years and 5 months would begin their training with a Young Soldier Battalion. On reaching 18 years and 5 months the recruits would be posted on to a Graduated Battalion.
Organisation of the Infantry of the British Army and The Cheshire Regiment 1914 - 1918
Pre-War Regular, Reserve and Territorial Force Infantry Battalions. Immediately prior to the outbreak of the Great War, the Regular Infantry of the British Army consisted of four Guards Regiments and sixty-nine Infantry Regiments. Infantry Regiments normally consisted of two active Battalions, with one Battalion serving overseas and one in the UK. Each Regiment would normally have one Reserve Battalion, based at the Regimental Depot, which trained recruit soldiers and supplied reinforcing drafts to the two active Battalions. In the case of the Cheshire Regiment, as with most Infantry Regiments, the active Battalions were numbered the 1st and 2nd, and the Reserve Battalion was numbered the 3rd (Reserve). Many of the Infantry Regiments, including the Cheshire Regiment, also had Territorial Force (TF) Battalions on the Regimental Establishment. These were made up of part-time officers and soldiers who had signed up for Imperial or Home Service, and each of these Battalions trained its own personnel so there was therefore no requirement for the TF to be established with Reserve Battalions. The TF Battalions were usually numbered sequentially after the Regular and Reserve Battalions of the Regiment and often had a second title linking them with their home city or town. In the Cheshire Regiment the four TF Battalions were titled 4th Battalion TF, 5th (Earl of Cheshire's) Battalion TF, 6th Battalion TF and 7th Battalion TF. Each of the active Battalions, overseas and UK based, were grouped with a Brigade and/or Division and immediately prior to the outbreak of war, Battalions of the Cheshire Regiment were deployed as follows: 1st Battalion (Regular). Based at Londonderry. 15th Brigade/5th Division. 2nd Battalion (Regular). Based at Jubbulpore. GHQ India Troops. 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. Based Chester. 4th Battalion TF. Based at Birkenhead. Cheshire Brigade TF/Welsh Division TF. 5th Battalion TF. Based at Chester. Cheshire Brigade TF/Welsh Division TF. 6th Battalion TF. Based at Stockport. Cheshire Brigade TF/Welsh Division TF. 7th Battalion TF. Based at Macclesfield. Cheshire Brigade TF/Welsh Division TF. The Re-Organisation at the Outbreak of War. The Regular and Reserve Battalions saw little change at the outbreak of war, only their reinforcement to War Establishment by Regular and Special Reservists and the deployment to mobilisation locations. In the TF Battalions, those personnel who had signed up for Imperial Service were formed into the First Lines of the Battalions, designated the1/4th Battalion TF, 1/5th Battalion TF and 1/6th Battalion TF and 1/7th Battalion TF for service overseas. Those who had signed for Home Service (and could not or would not sign up for Imperial Service) were formed up into the Second Lines of each Battalion designated the 2/4th Battalion TF, 2/5th Battalion TF, 2/6th Battalion TF and 2/7th Battalion TF. These Battalions continued to recruit, train and supply reinforcements for their First Line units. 2/4th Battalion TF. Formed at Birkenhead in September 1914. Initially moved to Aberystwyth in November 1914. 2/5th Battalion FT. Formed at Chester in November 1914. Initially moved to Cambridge in April 1915. 2/6th Battalion TF. Formed at Stockport in September 1914. Initially moved to Northampton in November 1914. 2/7th Battalion TF. Formed at Macclesfield in October 1914. Initially moved to Northampton in March 1915. Service Battalions. On the outbreak of war, The Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, saw that the UK must be prepared for a war lasting three to four years, requiring an Army of at least 70 Divisions. On 7th August 1914, he started a campaign to recruit an initial 100,000 men, but the response was overwhelming and 500,000 were signed up. He decided not to use the framework of the TF to expand the Army, but to create a "New Army", separate from the current Regulars and Territorials. More than 500 New Army Battalions were raised forming the basis of three New Armies, known as K1 (9th - 14th Divisions), K2 (15th - 20th Divisions) and K3 (21st- 26th Divisions). The New Army Battalions were numbered consecutively after the existing Regular and Territorial Battalions and they were distinguished by the word "Service", in brackets, after their number. In the Cheshire Regiment, the Service Battalions raised were: 8th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Chester, on 12th August 1914. K1. Allocated to 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Initially located at Tidworth. 9th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Chester, on 13th September 1914. K2. Allocated to 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. Initially located at Salisbury Plain. 10th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Chester, on 10th September 1914. Initially part of K3. Allocated to 76th Brigade, 25th Division. Initially located at Codford St Mary. 11th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Chester, on 17th September 1914. K3. Allocated to 75th Brigade, 25th Division. Initially located at Codford St Mary. 12th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Chester, in September 1914. Initially K3, allocated as Army troops, 22nd Division. Initially located at Seaford. 14th (Reserve) Battalion. Raised at Birkenhead, in October 1914. Initially part of K4, allocated to 105th Brigade, 35th Division. On 10th April 1915 re-roled as a Second Reserve Battalion, as a Depot unit training and providing reinforcements for the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Battalions. Locally Raised Service Battalions. Apart from the formal Service Battalions being raised as described above, local Citizen's Recruiting Committees were raising their own Battalions independent of the War Office. The expense of raising, clothing, feeding, housing and training of these Battalions were met by the Recruiting Committees until they were formally taken over by the War Office in April 1915 and added to the Army Establishment. At this time all previous expenses were refunded to Committees and further costs borne by the War Office. These Battalions were to become known as Locally Raised Battalions and provided the majority of the infantry for the 4th New Army (K4). The Battalions were numbered consecutively after the Service Battalions in a Regiment and some had an additional title showing the connection with the city, area or organisation which raised them. The Cheshire Regiment raised the following Battalions, initially under local Recruiting Committees, and taken over by the War Office in the Spring of 1915: 13th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Port Sunlight in September 1914. Allocated to 74th Brigade, 25th Division. 15th (Service) Battalion (1st Birkenhead). Raised at Birkenhead, in November 1914 as a "Bantam" Battalion. Allocated to 105th Brigade, 35th Division. 16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Birkenhead). Raised at Birkenhead in December 1914n as a "Bantam" Battalion. Allocated to 105th Brigade, 35th Division. 17th (Reserve) Battalion. Raised at Bebington in August 1915. Allocated to 17th (Reserve) Brigade. A Second Reserve Battalion, as a Depot unit training and providing reinforcements for the 13th, 15th and 16th Battalions. Further Re-Organisations. Territorial Force (TF). By June 1915 most of the First Line Battalions of the TF had been deployed to active service locations overseas and the Second Line Battalions were preparing for future overseas service and so a Third Line Battalion was formed to train and supply reinforcements to the parent First Line and later to the Second Line Battalions. Home Service personnel and those not fit for overseas service were transferred from the Second and Third Line Battalions to the non-Regimentally affiliated Provisional Battalions TF. In the Cheshire Regiment, the Third Line Battalions TF raised were: 3/4th Battalion TF. Formed at Birkenhead in March 1915 to recruit, train and supply reinforcements for 1/4th and 2/4th Battalions TF. Became 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. 3/5th Battalion TF. Formed at Chester in March 1915 to recruit, train and provide reinforcements for 1/5th and 2/5th Battalions TF. Became 5th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 1st September 1916 at Oswestry. 3/6th Battalion TF. Formed at Stockport in March 1915 to recruit, train and provide reinforcements for 1/6th and 2/6th Battalions TF. Became 6th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 1st September 1916 at Oswestry. 3/7th Battalion TF. Formed at Macclesfield in March 1915 to recruit, train and provide reinforcements for 1/7th and 2/7th Battalions TF. Became 7th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 1st September 1916 at Oswestry. Service Battalions. By spring 1915 it had become clear that voluntary recruitment was not going to provide the numbers of men required. The Government passed the National Registration Act on 15th July 1915 as a step towards stimulating recruitment and to discover how many men between the ages of 15 and 65 were engaged in each trade. The results of this census became available by mid-September 1915 and on 11th October 1915, Lord Derby was appointed Director-General of Recruiting. He brought forward a scheme five days later, always called the Derby Scheme, for raising the numbers. It was half-way to conscription. Disappointed at the results of the Derby Scheme, the Government introduced the Military Service Act on 27 January 1916. All voluntary enlistment was stopped as all British males were now deemed to have enlisted - that is, they were conscripted - if they were aged between 18 and 41 and resided in Great Britain (excluding Ireland) and were unmarried or a widower on 2 November 1915. Conscripted men were no longer given a choice of which service, regiment or unit they joined, although if a man preferred the navy it got priority to take him. This act was extended to married men on 25 May 1916. The Training Organisation, based on the Regimental Reserve and Second Reserve Battalions could not cope with the sheer number of conscripted men now available and a new system was put in place on 1st September 1916 to deal with these numbers. All New-Army Regimental Reserve Battalions would lose their Regimental identity and become a Battalion of the Training Reserve. The role of these Battalions was to train new recruits for active service and dispatch drafts to Battalions overseas: 14th (Reserve) Battalion. Formed 59th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916. 17th (Reserve) Battalion. Formed 74th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916. Garrison Battalions. Garrison Battalions were formed from 1915 of men permanently unfit for active service on account of age, infirmity, sickness, or wounds but considered fit for Garrison and Internal Security duties in the UK and overseas. These Battalions were designed to release Regular and TF Battalions from these duties for front line service. The Cheshire Regiment raised the following Garrison Battalions: 1st Garrison Battalion. Formed at Chester on 1st August 1915 for duties in Gibraltar. 2nd Garrison Battalion. Formed at Bebington in October 1915 for duties in Egypt and Palestine. 3rd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion. Formed at Chester in November 1915 for duties in UK. Became 11th Battalion Royal Defence Corps in August 1917. Labour Battalions. Labour Battalions were formed from men not up to combat service standard but considered fit for labouring duties at ports, docks and depots in base and operational theatres as well as rail and road repair and building defensive works. The Cheshire Regiment formed 5 Labour Battalions: 18th Labour Battalion. Formed at Oldham in March 1916 for duties in the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 56th and 57th Companies. 19th Labour Battalion. Formed at Oldham in April 1916 for duties with the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 58th and 59th Companies. 20th Labour Battalion. Formed at Chester in June 1916 for duties with the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 60th and 61st Companies. 21st Labour Battalion. Formed at Chester in August 1916 for duties with the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 62nd and 63rd Companies. 22nd Labour Battalion. Formed at Chester in December 1916 for duties with the BEF under GHQ orders. Transferred to Labour Corps in April 1917 and became 64th and 65th Companies. More Reorganisations. Training Reserve Battalions. In 1917 the Training Reserve (TR) was re-organised to provide better and more specialised training for recruits and a total of 14 TR Battalions were designated "Young Soldier" and "Graduated" Battalions. This system saw these new Young Soldier Battalions take in and trains 18 year olds recruits and train them step by step until the recruits could be posted, in Company strength, to Graduated Battalions for further training until ready to be sent to active service units. In October 1917, these Battalions were affiliated to Regiments and the Cheshire Regiment were allocated: 51st (Graduated) Battalion. Formed at The Curragh from 213th Graduated Battalion (formerly 59th Training Reserve Battalion/13th (Reserve) Battalion South Wales Borderers). When 65th Division was broken up in March 1918, the Battalion remained at The Curragh. 52nd (Graduated) Battalion. Formed at The Curragh from 221st Graduated Battalion (formerly 61st Training Reserve Battalion/21st (Reserve) Battalion Welsh Regiment). When 65th Division was broken up in March 1918, the Battalion remained at The Curragh. 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion. Formed at Kinmel, Rhyl from 62nd Training Reserve Battalion/12th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers). Men recruited as conscripts under the Military Service Act 1916 who were aged up to 18 years and 5 months would begin their training with a Young Soldier Battalion. On reaching 18 years and 5 months the recruits would be posted on to a Graduated Battalion. Territorial Force (TF) 23rd Battalion TF. Formed at Happisburgh Norfolk on 1st January 1917 from personnel of the 47th Provisional Battalion TF (formerly Home Service personnel of the 2/4th, 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions TF of the Cheshire Regiment). Remained with 224th Brigade in Home and Coastal Defence role. Deployed to BEF in May 1918 to 178th Brigade/59th Division and retitled as a Garrison Guard Battalion. In June 1918 transferred to 121st Brigade/40th Division reverting to original title. Home Service Battalions 24th (Home Service) Battalion. Formed at Mundesley on 27th April 1918 replacing 23rd Battalion TF in 224th Brigade, when that unit deployed to the BEF.