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The 16th (Irish) Division was a Division of the New Army , raised in Ireland from the Irish National Volunteers in September 1914 as part of the K2 Army Group. In December 1915, the division moved to France , joining the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), under the command of Major General William Bernard Hickie , and spent the duration of the First World War in action on the Western Front . The division required a substantial refit in England between June and August 1918, which involved the introduction of many non-Irish battalions. The Division was formed in September 1914 in the early days of the war in Belfast , and was moved to Aldershot Barracks in England for training in September 1915 . After thirteen weeks, the unit was deployed to Etaples , France , where they left on December 18 for the front at Loos . At Loos they got their introduction to Trench Warfare in January and February 1916 , and suffered greatly in the Battle Of Hulluch , April 27 - 29 , 1916 . They raided German trenches all through May and June, and in late July they were moved to the Somme Valley . The 16th Division was critical in capturing the towns of Guillemont and Ginchy , though they suffered massive casualties. In early 1917 , the division took part in the Battle Of Messines , due to their recognition and reputation. Their major actions ended in the summer of 1917 at the Battle Of Passchendaele . In early 1918 , the division held an exposed position at Ronssoy during the German Spring Offensive . They suffered heavy losses here and during the retreat which followed. They helped finally halt the German attack at Hamel. FORMATION ; 47th Brigade :
; 48th Brigade :
The 8th and 9th Battalions of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers combined to form the 8/9th Battalion in October 1917 which was subsequently disbanded in February 1918. ; 49th Brigade :
The 7th and 8th Battalions of the Royal Irish Fusiliers combined to form the 7/8th Battalion in October 1916 which was subsequently disbanded in February 1918. The 7th and 8th Battalions of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers combined to form the 7/8th Battalion in August 1917 which was subsequently disbanded in February 1918. BATTLES
SEE ALSO Great War Memorials
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