After training and home service, it deployed to the Western Front in early 1916 and saw action at the Somme, at Ypres and against the German spring offensive of 1918.

Following near-destruction at the Battle of the Lys, the division was reduced to a cadre, which spent the remainder of the war training newly arrived units of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF).

On 6 August 1914, less than 48 hours after Britain's declaration of war, Parliament sanctioned an increase of 500,000 men for the Regular British Army.

The newly-appointed Secretary of State for War, Earl Kitchener of Khartoum, issued his famous call to arms: 'Your King and Country Need You', urging the first 100,000 volunteers to come forward.

[3][4][5][6] The new 39th Division began to assemble around Winchester in Hampshire early in August 1915, but when it moved to Aldershot at the end of September it still consisted of little more than 117th Bde Headquarters (HQ) and three of its battalions.

Mobilisation orders were received during February 1916, but it was considered that the Pals battalions of 118th Bde were not yet ready for active service.

They were left behind and 118th Bde Headquarters (HQ) went to Le Havre in France on 23 February to take over command of five experienced Territorial Force battalions that had been sent as reinforcements to various formations on the Western Front earlier in the war.

was ordered to demobilise its remaining TCs, and this was completed before hostilities ended when the Armistice with Germany came into force on 11 November.

[5] 39th Divisional Composite Brigade Formed 10 April 1918 after the Division suffered heavy losses and placed under command of Brig-Gen. A. Hubback.