As the name suggests, the division recruited in East Anglia, particularly Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, but also Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Northamptonshire.

By January 1918 it had been extensively reorganized and lost its territorial identity; henceforth it was known as 69th Division.

It served on home defence duties throughout the war, whilst recruiting, training and supplying drafts to overseas units and formations.

2nd Line units performed the home defence role, although in fact most of these were also posted abroad in due course.

[3] Organisation in November 1915 after reorganization when all 2nd Line formations became liable for overseas service.