70 replies to this topic

[ddycher]

Ken

My current understanding is that initially set up with a divisional focus the IBD's moved to a more geographical nature post the Somme battles of 1916. Have not as yet found anything definitive with respect to which IBD was alotted which area but am trying to find more. The further consolidation in 1918 I am yet to understand the logic of, maybe others better informed than me can share some insights here.

Charles - can you add anymore to this ?

Regards
Dave

[ddycher]

Toby

Little on No.18 so far. Located at Etaples, have identified one of its Adjt's (Hawkins) and QM (Edington). Little in terms of drafts or established dates. Will post if anything more comes up.

Regards
Dave

[charlesmessenger]

Dave

The IBDs were changed from being division dedicated to each supplying a number of regiments during the Somme battle. The reason was that the very heavy casualties incurred by some divisions co0uld not be wholly made good by their dedicated IBDs. As for the reorganisation at the end of 1917, I don't know the logic behind giving the IBDs letter rather than number titles, it did, however, coincide with a policy change in the wake of the Etaples Mutiny. This was that reinforcements would now spend minimum time in IBDs and the training that they formerly provided would now be carried out by corps and divisional reinforcement camps.

Charles M

[ddycher]

Thanks Charles

The Divisional Reinforcement Camps are what got me started on this, specifically the 62nd Div. Reinforcement Camp. Have ref's to these camps being in existance in mid 1917 so had never really been able to get a sensible view on the hand over from the IBD's. Also have refs for Jul 1918 where men are going straight to units in the field rather than via the reinforcement camp which I know was then running. I guess it all depended upon needs of the moment.

Regards
Dave

[IRC Kevin]

ddycher, on 14 August 2012 - 04:47 AM, said:

Kevin

Thanks for the dates for No.55 IBD. Assume that men coming through No. 51 IBD were for units in 164th Bde right ?

Regards
Dave

Hi Dave, Correct (1/4th KORL).
Kevin

[ddycher]

All

As I plugged in the drafts for No.1 and No.2 Territorial Base Depot it shows that only units who were serving with Regular Div's have so far been identified. These Regular Army Div's had their own IBD's but these were not used and men sent through the TBD's. Interesting. Anyone have any views on, or know why, drafts should not have been sent through the divisional IBD's ?

Regards
Dave

[Ken Lees]

Dave,

Do you want details of any references to Divisional Base Depots, too? Or is that outside the scope of your current research?

Ken

[ddycher]

Ken

That would be very helpful. Pls forward.

Thanks
Dave

[ddycher]

No.10 IBD placed at Mudros from 4th August 1915. No.10 IBD thought to have been at Salonika Base at Kajali. 10th Div. then known to have utilised one of the IBD's at Kantara unknown as yet whether it was No.1 or No.2.

Regards
Dave

[ddycher]

First of the Indian IBD's added.

Regards
Dave

[ddycher]

More on No.10. The 10th Div appears to have maintained a base depot in Egypt even after having embarked for Salonika. This base depot was to support the 63rd Naval Div. in May 1916. Anybody have any refs to the 10th Div's depots in Egypt. ?

Regards
Dave

[ddycher]

No.47 IBD placed at No.11 Camp, Harfleur.

Dave

[ddycher]

No.49 IBD now known to have been commanded throughout the war by Lt.-Col. Edwin Kitson Clark of the 8th Leeds Rifles.

Regards
Dave

[ddycher]

List again scrambled and needs reformatting. PM me if you would like a copy where it got to. Will keep maintaining until I can find a better way to post.

Regards
Dave

[pazz106]

hi,
have been trying to find which IBD my grandfather passed through when travelling from 3rd West Yorks and onto 8th West Yorks (62nd Div) in March/April 1918. His records no longer exist but many of his draft whose records still exist had refences of this move to an IBD, but I could not see any number or letter reference.
Anyone have any Info?
Thanks,
Allan

[Ken Lees]

I have just come across the following reference in the War Diary of the 47th Bn. AIF of late Sept. 1917:
"20 rfts. marched in from 4 ADBD, Rouelles".

[ddycher]

Allan

From what I have the primary IBD feeding the West Yorks in 1916 & 1917 was No.33 IBD at Etaples. I have not yet seen anything to confirm which IBD fed the regiment in 1918.

Regards
Dave

[ddycher]

Thanks Ken. Had that 4 ADBD had moved to Harfleur in Jun 1917 and this narrows it down further.

Regards
Dave

[pazz106]

Thanks for the reply Dave. I was inspired to revisit the records of the other soldiers in my Grandfathers draft. 4 did mention the IBD (althought faintly) and it was ' E' ,and 2 of those said 'E' and 'E depot'.  These soldiers were farmed to various West Yorks. Battalions, so I am happy that in 1918 The W.Y. Regt. used 'E' I.B.D.
Regards,
Allan.

[ddycher]

Many thanks Allan.

Would now seem that the Yorkshire Regt's of the old 5b recruiting area were consolidated on lettering around what was previously No.34 IBD (West Riding and Yorks and Lancs) at Etaples.
Helps fill one more gap - thank you.

Regards
Dave

[ddycher]

Service Records confirm that No.2 IBD became C IBD.

Regards
Dave