Description
Physical description
badge
An oak tree with brown trunk and branches and green foliage, the tree whole outlined white, all on a black ground.
History note
The badge makes reference to the Sherwood Forest oak, deemed appropriate for a formation made up from units from the North Midlands. In addition, the oak was seen as an emblem of strength and reliability.
The Division had been disbanded in 1936 when a number of its original battalions were converted to the anti-aircraft (AA) role. It was reformed in October 1939 when many of the original battalions duplicated on the doubling of the Territorial Army (TA).
The Division had not completed training or mobilisation but was nevertheless sent to France on 24 April 1940, minus its artillery and the bulk of its signals and administrative units. It was intended that the Division would undertake labour duties on the Lines of Communication and undertake additional training. However, together with the two other so-called 'labour divisions' - 12th and 23rd - it was called forward to help block the German armoured thrust from Sedan to the Channel. The Division was dispersed as a result of these moves but reformed during the summer in the UK.
The Division formed part of Home Forces until in 1943 it went as part of 1st Army for the invasion of North Africa, Operation 'Torch'.
In the Italian campaign, the Division was one of the first ashore as part of 5th American Army's invasion at Salerno on 9 September 1943. It subsequently fought in Italy at the crossings of the Volturno and the Garigliano.
The Division was withdrawn to Egypt for rest and training between March and June 1944 before returning to Italy for the battles for the Gothic Line and subsequent follow-up.
139th Brigade went to Greece at the beginning of December 1944, followed by the remainder of the Division in February 1945.
The Division returned to Italy in April 1945 where it participated as part of 8th Army (Eighth Army) in the Po Valley campaign.
The Division was subsequently part of the British occupation forces in Austria.
