18th DIVISION IN THE GREAT WAR

The history of one of the best British divisions to have served on the Western Front where it arrived at the end of July 1915. Eleven VCs and 4,300 other awards; 46,503 casualties. Only two GOCs, Ivor Maxse and Richard Lee, both very high calibre. The 18th (Eastern) Division was formed in September 1914, part of Kitchener's Second New Army, and became one of the best in the British Expeditionary Force. It was awarded eleven Victoria Crosses, the second highest number awarded to a non-regular division, after the twelve won by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division, and gained over 4,300 other awards; total casualties amounted to 46,503. This is a well-written history, one of the better works of its kind. It reads more like an adventure story than the somewhat stiff and formal style we find with some divisional histories. Cyril Falls rates it highly. The author was a journalist and this is reflected in his style of writing. He served in the division as an artillery officer in the 82nd Brigade RFA and his account takes in events great and small, the major battles and day-to-day happenings. He makes good use of official documents such as location states, operational orders, Order of Battle and citations as well as personal anecdotes and experiences.