19th (Western) Division

The 19th (Western) Division was an infantry division of the British Army, formed as part of the New Armies during World War I. Also known as a "Kitchener's Army" division, it was raised from volunteers in the Western counties of England.

Formed in September 1914 as part of the Third New Army (or "K3"), the division began training near Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain. It was initially composed of infantry brigades numbered 56th, 57th, and 58th. The division's insignia was a trident, representing the mythological associations with the West Country (specifically, Poseidon/Neptune and the sea).

The 19th (Western) Division landed in France in July 1915 and was assigned to the Western Front. It saw extensive action in major battles of the war, including the Battle of Loos (1915), the Battle of the Somme (1916), the Battle of Messines (1917), the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres, 1917), and the German spring offensive in 1918.

Throughout the war, the division endured heavy casualties. After the Armistice in November 1918, the division was gradually demobilized and eventually disbanded. The history of the 19th (Western) Division is documented in various regimental histories and records of the Great War.