Orders for the formation of the force were issued on 20 November 1915, under Major-General Alexander Wallace, C.B.

The force concentrated at Mersa Matruh on the coast and began operations against the Senussi in late 1915.

Peyton was appointed to the command of the Western Frontier Force (WFF) but was reappointed while in England.

On 4 October, Major-General W. A. Watson took over from Dobell, who was sent to command the Eastern Force (EF) in Sinai.

On 5 March 1917, the quiet on the frontier led to the WFF being amalgamated with the Delta Command (Brigadier-General Hugh Casson), comprising a Coastal and a Southern section.