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Archiver > GREATWAR > 2001-10 > 1002255706


From: Iain Kerr <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] Nelson Bn, RND
Date: Fri, 05 Oct 2001 05:21:46 +0100


At 18:44 04/10/01 -0700, Gaenor L Mason wrote:
>Hello List,
>
>Can anyone tell me what the Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, was
>doing on 3 November 1917?
>
>Thanks,
>Gaenor

Gaenor,

The Royal Naval Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli as part of the force
removal from this theatre in Jan 1915. The division was evacuated to
Mudros and split up. The Drake and Hawke Battalions went to Imbros between
19 Jan and 15 Feb 1916; the Hood Battalion to Mudros between 20 Jan and 22
Feb 1916. The 2nd Brigade went to Stavros on 20 Jan 1916. The division did
not reform until arriving back in France in May 1916. During this time the
Royal Naval Division was transferred from the Admiralty to the War Office
control under authority: 79/8954 (SD2) dated 29 Apr 1916.

The Royal Naval Division battalions landed in France at Marseilles as
follows: Howe 12 May, 2nd Royal Marine 12 May: Anson 19 May; 1st Royal
Marine 19 May; Hood 20 May; Nelson 22 May; and Hawke 23 May 1916. In France
the Royal Naval Division was numbered the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and
the Brigades were numbered the 188th, 189th and 190th under authority of
ACI No 1363 dated 8 Jul 1916. The division was brought up to full strength
by the inclusion of a number of Army infantry battalions and support
elements. This was particularly due to the fearful losses suffered by
Royal Navy and Royal Marine units in Nov 1916. The 63rd (Royal Naval)
Division remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war.

At the time you refer to, the 63rd Division was engaged as follows:

26 Oct - 10 Nov 1917 3rd Battle of Ypres in XVIII Corps, 5th Army.
26 Oct - 5 Nov 1917 2nd Battle of Passchendaele in XVIII Corps, 5th
Army.

The Nelson Battalion was disbanded in Feb 1918; the surviving personnel
were absorbed by remaining RND Naval Battalions.

Yours aye,

Iain Kerr in Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Web Page at: http://home.clara.net/iainkerr/index.htm
RootsWeb Sponsor and Listowner for the WORLDWAR2 Mailing List.

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