It served in France and Belgium in the trenches of the Western Front for the duration of the war.

[2] The division's first major action was the attack at La Boisselle on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, which began on 1 July.

The division suffered heavy casualties and many of the original Pals were killed.

[5] The following units served with the division:[2] After reorganisation in July 1918: After reorganisation in July 1918: After reorganisation in July 1918: On the First day on the Somme, the division had the largest number of casualties of the British divisions, the 102nd Brigade had 2,324 casualties and the 103rd Brigade incurred 1,968 losses.

Divisional Troops Thirteen other infantry battalions joined the Division for short periods during its reorganisation in mid 1918, all had left by July 1918) Royal Artillery The Divisional artillery was placed under temporary command of 5th Division while the infantry was being reorganised in mid 1918.