Hello, can anyone tell me the movements of 1st Somerset LI from 1939-1942 when it joined 7th Indian Division? Regards Rob
1st Battalion, The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert’s) Poona Independent Brigade Area – 3 September 1939 to 4 October 1939 The battalion left Poona in early October for Multan. Ferozepore Brigade Area – 4 October 1939 to 19 November 1939 The 1st Somersets moved into Edwardes Barracks, Multan in the Punjab and relieved 2nd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment on October 4th, 1939. It came under the command of the Ferozepore Brigade area of the Lahore District as the Frontier Defence Reserve Battalion. Kohat Brigade – 19 November 1939 to 14 December 1939 It moved to Kohat on November 19th, 1939 and trained with the Kohat Brigade. Ferozepore Brigade Area – 14 December 1939 to 10 February 1940 It returned to Multan on December 14th, 1939. Kohat Brigade – 10 February 1940 to 19 March 1940 It was back in Kohat on February 10th, 1940 as a reserve in the Ahmedzai Force. 3rd Indian Infantry Brigade – 19 March 1940 to May 1940 It then moved to Gummatti on March 19th, 1940 and came under command of the 3rd Indian Infantry Brigade. It moved to Daryobe on April 6th. Ferozepore Brigade Area – 7 May 1940 to January 1942 It returned to Multan on May 7th with three companies at Dalhousie for hot-weather service. It was engaged in frontier warfare training from September 1940 to March 1941. 3rd Indian Infantry Brigade – 18 January 1942 to September 1942 The battalion left Multan and returned to the 3rd Indian Infantry Brigade at Gardai on January 18th, 1942. It then moved to Razani and was attached to the Razmak Brigade on July 28th, 1942 from where it concentrated at Gardai for operations. Delhi Independent Brigade – September 1942 to November 1942 The battalion served in the Delhi area. 114th Indian Infantry Brigade – 28 November 1942 to 10 April 1944 The battalion then moved to the Attock-Campbellpore area and came under the 114th Indian Infantry Brigade on November 28th, 1942. The division moved to Chindwara on January 16th, 1943 for training and the battalion moved to Derla, south of Calcutta on May 24th, 1943. It left the Calcutta area on June 8th, 1943 and landed at Chittagong in the Arakan on June 16th, 1943. It fought in the Arakan through April 1944, leaving for Bawli Bazar on April 6th and moving to Peshawar on April 10th. Peshawar Brigade– 10 April 1944 to 30 April 1944 The battalion served at Peshawar. Central Command – Lahore District – 30 April 1944 to June 1944 The battalion moved to Ambala on April 30th. Peshawar Brigade – June 1944 to August 1945 In June 1944 it moved to Peshawar, with hot-weather station at Cherat. 151st Line of Communications Sub-Area – August 1945 to 31 August 1945 In August 1945 the battalion moved to Ranchi.
There used to be some great photos of the battalion available on line, but they seem to have gone. They formed part of this thread: 1st Somerset Light Infantry