The Royal Naval Division, later designated the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, was established at the outbreak of the Great War. Although it distinguished itself at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, its comparatively brief existence has contributed to it being largely overlooked in the broader narrative of the First World War. Initially met with scepticism at its inception, Winston’s “Little Army” would go on to earn an exceptional reputation, undertaking some of the conflict’s most demanding operations—often at great cost.


Souvenir photograph at Crystal Palace

My interest in the Division began with my grandfather’s service throughout the war, and through researching his experiences I came to understand the extraordinary history of the Royal Naval Division. I do not claim to be a historian, author, or specialist in military affairs or the First World War; rather, I am an enthusiastic researcher committed to preserving and sharing the remarkable legacy of the Division.

Search RoyalNavalDivision.info:

A guide to the RoyalNavalDivision.info sections which can be reached via the menu at the top of each page:
Timeline   An indexed history of the Royal Naval Division from its formation until disbandment
Organisation The units of the Royal Naval Division through the war
Shute's Proposals Major General Shute's recommendations for the Royal Naval Division
Galleries Royal Naval Division images from Antwerp to Cambrai
Service Numbers A guide to the service numbers used by the Royal Naval Division
Personnel Gallery Gallery and short service history of the men of the Royal Naval Division
Detailed Personnel Detailed service histories including contributions from family members
Victoria Crosses London Gazette Victoria Cross announcements for Royal Naval Division recipients
Internees & POWs Life for those interned in Holland and men taken as prisoners of war
Oswald Hanson The most senior officer on the train derailed at Moerbeke
Richard Bendyshe Deal's Brevet Lt.-Colonel met a tragic end
Edwin Dyett The court martial leading to the solitary execution of the Royal Naval Division
Arthur Asquith Arthur was the bravest man I ever knew Sir Bernard Freyberg VC, GCMG, KCB, KBE, DSO***

Further recommended reading is available on the Related Links page, whilst the Research page gives a few pointers to tracing the history of the men of the Royal Naval Division.

Gallipoli wounded being landed at Plymouth

Disclaimer
The images on the website have been collected over a number of years and, in some cases, the original source has been lost. It is believed that copyright has not been infringed, but it is not always possible to confirm that this is the case. No infringement is intended. Should you own the copyright to any of the images then please get in touch and the image will either be acknowledged or removed as required. If you are unsure if you hold the copyright for an image, a brief guide can be found here.

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