In 1914
Indian Expeditionary Force A was sent to reinforce the
British Expeditionary Force (BEF) fighting in France. In France it formed the
Indian Cavalry Corps and
Indian Corps composed of
3rd (Lahore) and
7th (Meerut) Divisions. (In France, these formations were simply known as 'Lahore' and 'Meerut' Divisions, to distinguish them from the
3rd and
7th British divisions.) Despatch from India was delayed by the activities of the German raiders and operating in the Indian Ocean, and by the slow speed of the transport vessels. Lahore Division began landing at
Marseille on 26 September 1914, but there were further delays while the troops were re-armed with the latest pattern rifle, and the supply train could be improvised, using tradesmens' vans procured locally. The corps finally got into action at the Battles of
La Bassée,
1st Messines and
Armentières in October–November 1914.
Order of Battle October–December 1914 General Officer Commanding: Lieut-Gen Sir J. Willcocks, Brig-Gen, General Staff: Brig-Gen
H. Hudson, Brig-Gen,
Royal Artillery: Brig-Gen H.F. Mercer, Colonel,
Royal Engineers: Col H.C. Nanton •
Lahore Division •
Meerut Division • Divisional Troops (attached from 12 October, left to join Indian Cavalry Corps 23 December 1914) •
9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade • Signal Troop • N Battery
Royal Horse Artillery • H Section Ammunition Column • 1st Indian Field Troop,
1st King George's Own Sappers & Miners •
Jodhpur Lancers (
Imperial Service Troops) • Jodhpur Cavalry Field Ambulance
Operations • The Battles of
La Bassée,
1st Messines and
Armentières • Winter operations 1914–15 • The
Battle of Neuve Chapelle • The Battles of
Aubers Ridge and
Festubert. At this period the corps was reinforced by
51st (Highland) Division of the
Territorial Force in addition to
3rd (Lahore) and
7th (Meerut) divisions. • The
Battle of Loos ==Mesopotamia==