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Originally known as the 1st (London) Division and later re-designated The British 56th (London) Division during WWII, was a Territorial Army Division . UNIT HISTORY World War I The Division was a formation created by the establishment of the Territorial Force in 1908. The Divisional infantry was entirely composed of battalions of the London Regiment. Many of the Division's original units were detached for garrison duties overseas or as reinforcements for other Divisions in the field from late 1914 onward. The entire Divisional artillery was transferred to the 36th (Ulster) Division. The complete Division was reformed in France from 5th January 1916, and served with distinction on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war. In all, the Division existed as such for 1010 days during the Great War; it spent 330 days at rest, 195 in quiet sectors, 385 in active sectors and 100 days in battle. Initially selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine, the orders were eventually cancelled and the Division was demobilised. The final cadre returned to England in May 1919. World War II Originally known as the 1st (London) Division, this formation was first organized as a Motor Division first line Territorial Army at the outbreak of war. With the reorganization as an infantry division in June 1940, the Division was later redesignated 56th (London)Infantry Division on 18 November 1940. The Division did not serve in France , remaining in the UK, and moving to the Middle East in November 1942, serving in Iraq and Palestine until moving to Egypt in March 1943 and thence forward to Libya , and the front, in April. The division sat out the Sicily campaign and moved to Italy in September 1943, serving there until March 1944 and participated in the Anzio Campaign . After being withdrawn to Egypt at the end of March, the Division returned to Italy in July 1944 and remained there until after VE Day . FORMATION The division comprised four Infantry Brigade s: ; 167th ( London ) Brigade :
; 168th ( London ) Brigade :
; 169th ( London ) Brigade :
; 201st Guards Brigade :
BATTLES
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