203rd (2nd North Wales) Brigade

Origin

On the outbreak of war in August 1914, the four Territorial Force battalions (4th – 7th) of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers comprised the North Wales Brigade of the Welsh Division. In common with the rest of the Territorial Force, these battalions immediately began forming 'Second Line' duplicate battalions composed of recruits and men enlisted for home service only. In May 1915 the original brigade became 158th (North Wales) Brigade in 53rd (Welsh) Division. Similarly the Second Line brigade became 203rd (2nd North Wales) Brigade in 68th (2nd Welsh) Division.

Composition

On formation, 203rd Bde comprised the following battalions:

• 2/4th (Denbighshire) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (disbanded March 1918)
• 2/5th (Flintshire) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (disbanded 16 March 1918)
• 2/6th (Carnarvonshire and Anglesey) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (disbanded 8 September 1917)
• 2/7th (Merionethshire & Montgomeryshire) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (disbanded 12 September 1917)

Service

68th Division did not go overseas even after the Military Service Act 1916 made it possible to send second line Territorials to war zones. The division and its components remained as part of the home defences of Britain, training and supplying drafts to other units overseas. The original units dwindled and were eventually disbanded.

References

References

1. "The Long, Long Trail – Researching soldiers of the British Army in the Great War of 1914-1919".
2. "The Long, Long Trail – Researching soldiers of the British Army in the Great War of 1914-1919".
3. "British Divisions of 1914-1918".