Formation A decision was made to form a new mounted division from the mounted brigades in and around the
Churn area of
Berkshire. On 2 September 1914,
2nd Mounted Division, with
Headquarters at
Goring, came into being with three mounted brigades transferred from
1st Mounted Division (
1st South Midland Mounted Brigade at
Newbury,
2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade at Churn and the
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade at
South Stoke) and the
London Mounted Brigade at
Streatley. The brigades were relatively widely dispersed to allow an adequate water supply for the horses and to provide sufficient training areas. In November 1914, the division moved to
Norfolk on coastal defence duties. Headquarters was established at
Hanworth and the mounted brigades were at
King's Lynn (1st South Midland),
Fakenham (2nd South Midland),
Holt (Notts. and Derby.) and Hanworth (London). Each
Yeomanry regiment left a
squadron headquarters and two
troops (about 100 officers and men) in Egypt to look after the horses. The artillery batteries and ammunition columns, signal troops, mobile veterinary sections, Mounted Brigade Transport and Supply Columns and two of the Field Ambulances were also left behind in Egypt. The
Yeomanry Mounted Brigade, which was formed in Egypt in January 1915, was likewise dismounted and joined the division on 13 August as a fifth brigade. The division entrained for Alexandria on 13 August, sailed the next day and reached
Mudros on 17 August. It landed at
Suvla Bay that night. Due to losses during the
Battle of Scimitar Hill and wastage during August 1915, the division had to be reorganised. On 4 September 1915, the
1st Composite Mounted Brigade was formed from the 1st, 2nd and 5th Mounted Brigades, and the
2nd Composite Mounted Brigade from the 3rd and 4th Mounted Brigades. Each dismounted brigade formed a battalion sized unit, for example, 1st South Midland Regiment (
Warwickshire,
Gloucestershire and
Worcestershire Yeomanry). The
Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade landed as Suvla on 2 September and joined the division. Likewise, the
Highland Mounted Brigade joined the division after landing on 26 September. Both brigades were dismounted in the UK before sailing directly for Gallipoli. The artillery batteries and other units left in Egypt rejoined the division between 10 and 20 December 1915. However, the dismemberment of the division began almost immediately as units were posted to the
Western Frontier Force or to various other commands. •
1st South Midland Mounted Brigade left the division on 3 and 4 January 1916 for Es Salhia. The brigade served as Corps Troops in Egypt from 21 January 1916. On 31 March 1916, the remaining Mounted Brigades were numbered in a single sequence. As a consequence, the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade was redesignated as
5th Mounted Brigade on 20 April. •
London Mounted Brigade left the division on 18 January 1916 and was sent to
Abbassia. It was redesignated as
8th Mounted Brigade. On 21 January 1916, 2nd Mounted Division was disbanded. ==Commanders==