58th (2/1st London) Division

After training in Britain, the division joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the Western Front in 1917.

It then took part in the Battle of Amiens and the final Allied Hundred Days Offensive of the war.

The formation of reserve or 2nd Line TF units was authorised by the War Office on 31 August 1914.

[1][6] The division had the following composition during the war:[1][7] Brigade left to relieve 1/1st London Brigade at Malta between December 1914 and February 1915 Formed in April 1915 Mounted Troops Artillery 58th Divisional Engineers Pioneers Machine Guns Medical Veterinary Labour Supply Attached The division was engaged in the following actions:[1] 1917 1918 After the Armistice with Germany the division was billeted in the area of Peruwelz in Belgium.

Skilled tradesmen and 'pivotal' men began to be demobilised during December 1918, and by March 1919 the division had dwindled to a brigade group concentrated around Leuze as units were reduced to cadres.

This misidentification was then supported by simulated radio traffic and by fictitious reports from double agents working for the British Security Service, MI5.

French and British soldiers of the 58th Division playing cards at Bernagousse, near Barisis on the extreme of the newly extended British line, 16 March 1918
King George V with Edward, Prince of Wales , Prince Albert , and General Sir Henry Horne walking through Stambruges, 5 December 1918. Here the 175th Brigade was drawn up, under temporary command of Lieutenant Colonel Evelyn George Powell of the Grenadier Guards .