The Manchester Regiment was an Infantry Battalion that would have had an MG Section as part of its Battalion Headquarters. These weapons would have been brigaded when the Machine Gun Corps was formed in 1915. The guns, and crews, would have been formed into a Machine Gun Company.
During the Great War, the Battalions were distributed as follows:
The 2nd Battalion was part of the 14th Brigade (redesignated 95th on 12 January 1916), attached to the 5th Division. It's MG Section was transferred on 20 December 1915 to form the 14th Bde. MG Coy., later redesignated the 95th.
As a unit of the 5th Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| 1914 | |
| 23 and 24 August | Battle of Mons [II. Corps]. |
| 23 August to 05 September | RETREAT FROM MONS [II. Corps]. |
| 26 August | Battle of le Cateau [II. Corps]. |
| 01 September | Crepy en Valois. |
| 06 to 09 September | Battle of the Marne [II. Corps] |
| 13 to 20 September | BATTLE OF THE AISNE [II. Corps] |
| 13 September | Passage of the Aisne. |
| 20 September | Actions on the Aisne Heights. |
| 10 October to 02 November | Battle of la Bassee [II. Corps]. |
| 05 to 19 November | BATTLE OF YPRES [I. Corps] |
| 1915 | |
| 17 to 22 April | Capture of Hill 60 [II. Corps, Second Army]. |
| 23 April to 01 May | BATTLE OF YPRES [V. Corps, Second Army]. |
The 5th Battalion was part of the 127th Brigade, attached to the 42nd Division. It's MG Section was transferred on 14 March 1916 to form the 127th Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 42nd Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| MOBILIZATION, BATTLES, AND ENGAGEMENTS | |
| The division - an existing T.F. division - was drawn from Manchester and Salford and the Cotton and Colliery Towns of East Lancashire, with the divisional headquarters in Manchester. The twelve infantry battalions came from Bury, Rochdale, Salford (2), Blackburn, Burnley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Wigan, and Manchester (3). The artillery was very scattered: headquarters was at Nantwich (Cheshire); the I.E.Lanc.Bde. had its headquarters, one battery, and its ammunition column at Blackburn, with two outlying batteries at Church and Burnley; and the III.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated at Bolton. (The other two artillery brigades of the division did not go overseas until June, 1915. In 1914 the II.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated in Manchester, and the IV.E.Lanc.(How.)Bde. was at Carlisle, with an outlying battery at Workington.) There was no divisional ammunition column at the outbreak of the Great War. Except the heavy battery (which came from Liverpool) the remainder of the division - field companies, signla company, field ambulances, and the Divnl. T. and S. Column - came from Manchester.
The order to mobilize was received at 5-30pm on the 4th August, and units were billeted within reach of their respective headquarters. On the 10th August the Territorial Force was invited to volunteer for foreign service; and, on the 20th, the division, having accepted the liability, moved out into camps for training. On the 5th September, the division was warned that it would be sent to Egypt. On the 9th it began to entrain for Southampton, and the first transport sailed on the 10th. The East Lancashire Division possesses the proud distinction of being the first division of the Territorial Force to leave England for foreign service. The division began its disembarkation at Alexandria on the 25th September. The Manchester Inf. Bde. (less 1½ battalions) remained at Alexandria. This brigade sent a half-battalion to garrison Cyprus and one battalion to Khartoum. The rest of the division concentrated around Cairo for training. Towards the end of October some detachments were sent to strengthen the Canal Zone, and on the 5th November Great Britain declared war against Turkey. | |
| 1914 | |
| 1915 | |
| On the 1st May the division began to embark at Alexandria for Gallipoli. The first transports left on the 2nd and the last followed on the 6th. By the evening of the 9th, Divnl. H.Q., and all the infantry had landed at Helles. The strength embarking for Gallipoli was 14,224 all ranks, with 24 15-pdr. B.L.C. guns, and 24 machine guns. | |
| THE BATTLES OF HELLES | |
| 4 June | Third Battle of Krithia [VIII. Corps]. |
| 6 to 13 August | Krithia Vineyard [VIII. Corps]. |
| On 26th December the divison was ordered to prepare to leave Helles. Between 27 to 31 December the division (with the S.E.Mtd.Bde.) reached Mudros (less the Divisional Artillery, detnt. of R.E., and 1st and 3rd Fd. Ambces., which were all attached to the 13th Divison, and with it took part in the Evacuation of Helles, 7th/8th January, 1916). | |
| 1916 | |
| The Division embarked for Egypt between 12-16 January and concentrated at Mena on 22nd January, its effective strength on this day was 6,669 all tanks. On 29th January the division began to take over part of the IX. Corps front, Canal Defences. | |
The 6th Battalion was part of the 127th Brigade, attached to the 42nd Division. It's MG Section was transferred on 14 March 1916 to form the 127th Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 42nd Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| MOBILIZATION, BATTLES, AND ENGAGEMENTS | |
| The division - an existing T.F. division - was drawn from Manchester and Salford and the Cotton and Colliery Towns of East Lancashire, with the divisional headquarters in Manchester. The twelve infantry battalions came from Bury, Rochdale, Salford (2), Blackburn, Burnley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Wigan, and Manchester (3). The artillery was very scattered: headquarters was at Nantwich (Cheshire); the I.E.Lanc.Bde. had its headquarters, one battery, and its ammunition column at Blackburn, with two outlying batteries at Church and Burnley; and the III.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated at Bolton. (The other two artillery brigades of the division did not go overseas until June, 1915. In 1914 the II.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated in Manchester, and the IV.E.Lanc.(How.)Bde. was at Carlisle, with an outlying battery at Workington.) There was no divisional ammunition column at the outbreak of the Great War. Except the heavy battery (which came from Liverpool) the remainder of the division - field companies, signla company, field ambulances, and the Divnl. T. and S. Column - came from Manchester.
The order to mobilize was received at 5-30pm on the 4th August, and units were billeted within reach of their respective headquarters. On the 10th August the Territorial Force was invited to volunteer for foreign service; and, on the 20th, the division, having accepted the liability, moved out into camps for training. On the 5th September, the division was warned that it would be sent to Egypt. On the 9th it began to entrain for Southampton, and the first transport sailed on the 10th. The East Lancashire Division possesses the proud distinction of being the first division of the Territorial Force to leave England for foreign service. The division began its disembarkation at Alexandria on the 25th September. The Manchester Inf. Bde. (less 1½ battalions) remained at Alexandria. This brigade sent a half-battalion to garrison Cyprus and one battalion to Khartoum. The rest of the division concentrated around Cairo for training. Towards the end of October some detachments were sent to strengthen the Canal Zone, and on the 5th November Great Britain declared war against Turkey. | |
| 1914 | |
| 1915 | |
| On the 1st May the division began to embark at Alexandria for Gallipoli. The first transports left on the 2nd and the last followed on the 6th. By the evening of the 9th, Divnl. H.Q., and all the infantry had landed at Helles. The strength embarking for Gallipoli was 14,224 all ranks, with 24 15-pdr. B.L.C. guns, and 24 machine guns. | |
| THE BATTLES OF HELLES | |
| 4 June | Third Battle of Krithia [VIII. Corps]. |
| 6 to 13 August | Krithia Vineyard [VIII. Corps]. |
| On 26th December the divison was ordered to prepare to leave Helles. Between 27 to 31 December the division (with the S.E.Mtd.Bde.) reached Mudros (less the Divisional Artillery, detnt. of R.E., and 1st and 3rd Fd. Ambces., which were all attached to the 13th Divison, and with it took part in the Evacuation of Helles, 7th/8th January, 1916). | |
| 1916 | |
| The Division embarked for Egypt between 12-16 January and concentrated at Mena on 22nd January, its effective strength on this day was 6,669 all tanks. On 29th January the division began to take over part of the IX. Corps front, Canal Defences. | |
The 7th Battalion was part of the 127th Brigade, attached to the 42nd Division. It's MG Section was transferred on 14 March 1916 to form the 127th Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 42nd Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| MOBILIZATION, BATTLES, AND ENGAGEMENTS | |
| The division - an existing T.F. division - was drawn from Manchester and Salford and the Cotton and Colliery Towns of East Lancashire, with the divisional headquarters in Manchester. The twelve infantry battalions came from Bury, Rochdale, Salford (2), Blackburn, Burnley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Wigan, and Manchester (3). The artillery was very scattered: headquarters was at Nantwich (Cheshire); the I.E.Lanc.Bde. had its headquarters, one battery, and its ammunition column at Blackburn, with two outlying batteries at Church and Burnley; and the III.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated at Bolton. (The other two artillery brigades of the division did not go overseas until June, 1915. In 1914 the II.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated in Manchester, and the IV.E.Lanc.(How.)Bde. was at Carlisle, with an outlying battery at Workington.) There was no divisional ammunition column at the outbreak of the Great War. Except the heavy battery (which came from Liverpool) the remainder of the division - field companies, signla company, field ambulances, and the Divnl. T. and S. Column - came from Manchester.
The order to mobilize was received at 5-30pm on the 4th August, and units were billeted within reach of their respective headquarters. On the 10th August the Territorial Force was invited to volunteer for foreign service; and, on the 20th, the division, having accepted the liability, moved out into camps for training. On the 5th September, the division was warned that it would be sent to Egypt. On the 9th it began to entrain for Southampton, and the first transport sailed on the 10th. The East Lancashire Division possesses the proud distinction of being the first division of the Territorial Force to leave England for foreign service. The division began its disembarkation at Alexandria on the 25th September. The Manchester Inf. Bde. (less 1½ battalions) remained at Alexandria. This brigade sent a half-battalion to garrison Cyprus and one battalion to Khartoum. The rest of the division concentrated around Cairo for training. Towards the end of October some detachments were sent to strengthen the Canal Zone, and on the 5th November Great Britain declared war against Turkey. | |
| 1914 | |
| 1915 | |
| On the 1st May the division began to embark at Alexandria for Gallipoli. The first transports left on the 2nd and the last followed on the 6th. By the evening of the 9th, Divnl. H.Q., and all the infantry had landed at Helles. The strength embarking for Gallipoli was 14,224 all ranks, with 24 15-pdr. B.L.C. guns, and 24 machine guns. | |
| THE BATTLES OF HELLES | |
| 4 June | Third Battle of Krithia [VIII. Corps]. |
| 6 to 13 August | Krithia Vineyard [VIII. Corps]. |
| On 26th December the divison was ordered to prepare to leave Helles. Between 27 to 31 December the division (with the S.E.Mtd.Bde.) reached Mudros (less the Divisional Artillery, detnt. of R.E., and 1st and 3rd Fd. Ambces., which were all attached to the 13th Divison, and with it took part in the Evacuation of Helles, 7th/8th January, 1916). | |
| 1916 | |
| The Division embarked for Egypt between 12-16 January and concentrated at Mena on 22nd January, its effective strength on this day was 6,669 all tanks. On 29th January the division began to take over part of the IX. Corps front, Canal Defences. | |
The 8th Battalion was part of the 127th Brigade, attached to the 42nd Division. It's MG Section was transferred on 14 March 1916 to form the 127th Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 42nd Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| MOBILIZATION, BATTLES, AND ENGAGEMENTS | |
| The division - an existing T.F. division - was drawn from Manchester and Salford and the Cotton and Colliery Towns of East Lancashire, with the divisional headquarters in Manchester. The twelve infantry battalions came from Bury, Rochdale, Salford (2), Blackburn, Burnley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Wigan, and Manchester (3). The artillery was very scattered: headquarters was at Nantwich (Cheshire); the I.E.Lanc.Bde. had its headquarters, one battery, and its ammunition column at Blackburn, with two outlying batteries at Church and Burnley; and the III.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated at Bolton. (The other two artillery brigades of the division did not go overseas until June, 1915. In 1914 the II.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated in Manchester, and the IV.E.Lanc.(How.)Bde. was at Carlisle, with an outlying battery at Workington.) There was no divisional ammunition column at the outbreak of the Great War. Except the heavy battery (which came from Liverpool) the remainder of the division - field companies, signla company, field ambulances, and the Divnl. T. and S. Column - came from Manchester.
The order to mobilize was received at 5-30pm on the 4th August, and units were billeted within reach of their respective headquarters. On the 10th August the Territorial Force was invited to volunteer for foreign service; and, on the 20th, the division, having accepted the liability, moved out into camps for training. On the 5th September, the division was warned that it would be sent to Egypt. On the 9th it began to entrain for Southampton, and the first transport sailed on the 10th. The East Lancashire Division possesses the proud distinction of being the first division of the Territorial Force to leave England for foreign service. The division began its disembarkation at Alexandria on the 25th September. The Manchester Inf. Bde. (less 1½ battalions) remained at Alexandria. This brigade sent a half-battalion to garrison Cyprus and one battalion to Khartoum. The rest of the division concentrated around Cairo for training. Towards the end of October some detachments were sent to strengthen the Canal Zone, and on the 5th November Great Britain declared war against Turkey. | |
| 1914 | |
| 1915 | |
| On the 1st May the division began to embark at Alexandria for Gallipoli. The first transports left on the 2nd and the last followed on the 6th. By the evening of the 9th, Divnl. H.Q., and all the infantry had landed at Helles. The strength embarking for Gallipoli was 14,224 all ranks, with 24 15-pdr. B.L.C. guns, and 24 machine guns. | |
| THE BATTLES OF HELLES | |
| 4 June | Third Battle of Krithia [VIII. Corps]. |
| 6 to 13 August | Krithia Vineyard [VIII. Corps]. |
| On 26th December the divison was ordered to prepare to leave Helles. Between 27 to 31 December the division (with the S.E.Mtd.Bde.) reached Mudros (less the Divisional Artillery, detnt. of R.E., and 1st and 3rd Fd. Ambces., which were all attached to the 13th Divison, and with it took part in the Evacuation of Helles, 7th/8th January, 1916). | |
| 1916 | |
| The Division embarked for Egypt between 12-16 January and concentrated at Mena on 22nd January, its effective strength on this day was 6,669 all tanks. On 29th January the division began to take over part of the IX. Corps front, Canal Defences. | |
The 9th Battalion was part of the 126th Brigade, attached to the 42nd Division. It's MG Section was transferred on 14 March 1916 to form the 126th Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 42nd Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| MOBILIZATION, BATTLES, AND ENGAGEMENTS | |
| The division - an existing T.F. division - was drawn from Manchester and Salford and the Cotton and Colliery Towns of East Lancashire, with the divisional headquarters in Manchester. The twelve infantry battalions came from Bury, Rochdale, Salford (2), Blackburn, Burnley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Wigan, and Manchester (3). The artillery was very scattered: headquarters was at Nantwich (Cheshire); the I.E.Lanc.Bde. had its headquarters, one battery, and its ammunition column at Blackburn, with two outlying batteries at Church and Burnley; and the III.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated at Bolton. (The other two artillery brigades of the division did not go overseas until June, 1915. In 1914 the II.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated in Manchester, and the IV.E.Lanc.(How.)Bde. was at Carlisle, with an outlying battery at Workington.) There was no divisional ammunition column at the outbreak of the Great War. Except the heavy battery (which came from Liverpool) the remainder of the division - field companies, signla company, field ambulances, and the Divnl. T. and S. Column - came from Manchester.
The order to mobilize was received at 5-30pm on the 4th August, and units were billeted within reach of their respective headquarters. On the 10th August the Territorial Force was invited to volunteer for foreign service; and, on the 20th, the division, having accepted the liability, moved out into camps for training. On the 5th September, the division was warned that it would be sent to Egypt. On the 9th it began to entrain for Southampton, and the first transport sailed on the 10th. The East Lancashire Division possesses the proud distinction of being the first division of the Territorial Force to leave England for foreign service. The division began its disembarkation at Alexandria on the 25th September. The Manchester Inf. Bde. (less 1½ battalions) remained at Alexandria. This brigade sent a half-battalion to garrison Cyprus and one battalion to Khartoum. The rest of the division concentrated around Cairo for training. Towards the end of October some detachments were sent to strengthen the Canal Zone, and on the 5th November Great Britain declared war against Turkey. | |
| 1914 | |
| 1915 | |
| On the 1st May the division began to embark at Alexandria for Gallipoli. The first transports left on the 2nd and the last followed on the 6th. By the evening of the 9th, Divnl. H.Q., and all the infantry had landed at Helles. The strength embarking for Gallipoli was 14,224 all ranks, with 24 15-pdr. B.L.C. guns, and 24 machine guns. | |
| THE BATTLES OF HELLES | |
| 4 June | Third Battle of Krithia [VIII. Corps]. |
| 6 to 13 August | Krithia Vineyard [VIII. Corps]. |
| On 26th December the divison was ordered to prepare to leave Helles. Between 27 to 31 December the division (with the S.E.Mtd.Bde.) reached Mudros (less the Divisional Artillery, detnt. of R.E., and 1st and 3rd Fd. Ambces., which were all attached to the 13th Divison, and with it took part in the Evacuation of Helles, 7th/8th January, 1916). | |
| 1916 | |
| The Division embarked for Egypt between 12-16 January and concentrated at Mena on 22nd January, its effective strength on this day was 6,669 all tanks. On 29th January the division began to take over part of the IX. Corps front, Canal Defences. | |
The 10th Battalion was part of the 126th Brigade, attached to the 42nd Division. It's MG Section was transferred on 14 March 1916 to form the 126th Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 42nd Infantry Division, it will have taken part in the following battles and engagements.
| MOBILIZATION, BATTLES, AND ENGAGEMENTS | |
| The division - an existing T.F. division - was drawn from Manchester and Salford and the Cotton and Colliery Towns of East Lancashire, with the divisional headquarters in Manchester. The twelve infantry battalions came from Bury, Rochdale, Salford (2), Blackburn, Burnley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Wigan, and Manchester (3). The artillery was very scattered: headquarters was at Nantwich (Cheshire); the I.E.Lanc.Bde. had its headquarters, one battery, and its ammunition column at Blackburn, with two outlying batteries at Church and Burnley; and the III.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated at Bolton. (The other two artillery brigades of the division did not go overseas until June, 1915. In 1914 the II.E.Lanc.Bde. was concentrated in Manchester, and the IV.E.Lanc.(How.)Bde. was at Carlisle, with an outlying battery at Workington.) There was no divisional ammunition column at the outbreak of the Great War. Except the heavy battery (which came from Liverpool) the remainder of the division - field companies, signla company, field ambulances, and the Divnl. T. and S. Column - came from Manchester.
The order to mobilize was received at 5-30pm on the 4th August, and units were billeted within reach of their respective headquarters. On the 10th August the Territorial Force was invited to volunteer for foreign service; and, on the 20th, the division, having accepted the liability, moved out into camps for training. On the 5th September, the division was warned that it would be sent to Egypt. On the 9th it began to entrain for Southampton, and the first transport sailed on the 10th. The East Lancashire Division possesses the proud distinction of being the first division of the Territorial Force to leave England for foreign service. The division began its disembarkation at Alexandria on the 25th September. The Manchester Inf. Bde. (less 1½ battalions) remained at Alexandria. This brigade sent a half-battalion to garrison Cyprus and one battalion to Khartoum. The rest of the division concentrated around Cairo for training. Towards the end of October some detachments were sent to strengthen the Canal Zone, and on the 5th November Great Britain declared war against Turkey. | |
| 1914 | |
| 1915 | |
| On the 1st May the division began to embark at Alexandria for Gallipoli. The first transports left on the 2nd and the last followed on the 6th. By the evening of the 9th, Divnl. H.Q., and all the infantry had landed at Helles. The strength embarking for Gallipoli was 14,224 all ranks, with 24 15-pdr. B.L.C. guns, and 24 machine guns. | |
| THE BATTLES OF HELLES | |
| 4 June | Third Battle of Krithia [VIII. Corps]. |
| 6 to 13 August | Krithia Vineyard [VIII. Corps]. |
| On 26th December the divison was ordered to prepare to leave Helles. Between 27 to 31 December the division (with the S.E.Mtd.Bde.) reached Mudros (less the Divisional Artillery, detnt. of R.E., and 1st and 3rd Fd. Ambces., which were all attached to the 13th Divison, and with it took part in the Evacuation of Helles, 7th/8th January, 1916). | |
| 1916 | |
| The Division embarked for Egypt between 12-16 January and concentrated at Mena on 22nd January, its effective strength on this day was 6,669 all tanks. On 29th January the division began to take over part of the IX. Corps front, Canal Defences. | |
The 20th Battalion was part of the 91st Brigade of the 30th Infantry Division until 20 December 1915.
On 20 December 1915 it became was part of the 22nd Brigade, attached to the 7th Division. Its MG Section was transferred on 24 February 1916 to form the 22nd Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 7th Infantry Division, its MG Section did not take part in any formal battle and engagements (Source: Becke, 1934).
The 21st Battalion was part of the 91st Brigade of the 30th Infantry Division until 20 December 1915.
On 20 December 1915, the 91st Brigade was transferred to the 7th Division. Its MG Section was transferred on 14 March 1916 to form the 91st Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 7th Infantry Division, its MG Section did not take part in any formal battle and engagements (Source: Becke, 1934).
The 22nd Battalion was part of the 91st Brigade of the 30th Infantry Division until 20 December 1915.
On 20 December 1915, the 91st Brigade was transferred to the 7th Division. Its MG Section was transferred on 14 March 1916 to form the 91st Bde. MG Coy..
As a unit of the 7th Infantry Division, its MG Section did not take part in any formal battle and engagements (Source: Becke, 1934).
In 1922, the Machine Gun Corps was disbanded and the guns returned to the Infantry Battalion as a Machine Gun Platoon and then formed as a Machine Gun Company in the early 1930s.
This remained until the formation of Divisional Machine Gun Battalions in 1936 where guns were brigaded once again. The Manchesters were one of those Infantry Regiments converted to this new role.
From before the outbreak of War, the 1st Bn was a Divisional MG Battalion as part of the Malaya Infantry Brigade. It remained part of this until 13 September, 1940, when it was transferred to the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade. It remained part of this until 14 February, 1942, when it was captured by the Japanese in Malaya.
Between 28 May, 1942, and 15 September, 1942, a re-constituted 1st Bn was part of the 199th Infantry Brigade, 55th Infantry Division. It remained in the United Kingdom throughout this period. It is unclear from the documentation available, but it may have been organised as a normal Infantry Battalion during this time.
From 01 October, 1943, the 1st Bn was the Divisional Support Battalion to the 53rd (Welch) Infantry Division. It reverted to a Divisional MG Battalion from 28 February, 1944, and remained as such until the end of the War.
The 53rd (Welch) Infantry Division was mobilised in September 1939 as a First Line Territorial Army Infantry Division. It saw action at the following battles:
During the time the 1st Bn was part of it, the 53rd Infantry Division was in the following theatres and battles.
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 03 September, 1939, to 21 June, 1944 | United Kingdom | |
| 21 June, 1944, to 27 June, 1944 | At Sea | |
| 27 June, 1944, to 31 August, 1945 | North West Europe |
|
The 2nd Battalion was organised as a Divisional MG Battalion but attached to General Headquarters, British Expeditionary Force, available to Corps Troops as required. It took part in the Campaign in France and Belgium, May 1940.
From the 11 November, 1942, until the end of the War, the 2nd Bn was the Divisional MG Battalion to the 2nd Infantry Division.
During the time the 2nd Bn was part of it, the 2nd Infantry Division was in the following theatres and battles.
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 01 June, 1940, to 15 April, 1942 | United Kingdom | |
| 15 April, 1942, to 07 June, 1942 | At Sea | |
| 07 June, 1942, to 01 April, 1944 | India | |
| 02 April, 1944, to 11 April, 1945 | Burma |
|
| 12 April, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | India |
From the outbreak of War, until 08 September, 1941, the 5th Bn was part of the 127th Infantry Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division. It was a regular Infantry Battalion during this time and remained within the United Kingdom throughout this time.
Between 08 September, 1941, and 31 October, 1941, the 5th Bn was part of the 126th Infantry Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division. It was a regular Infantry Battalion during this time and remained within the United Kingdom throughout this time.
From the 22 October, 1944, until the end of the War, the 5th Bn was the Divisional MG Battalion to the 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division. It remained in the United Kingdom throughout this time.
The 6th Battalion was a Territorial Army Infantry Battalion. It was not converted to a Machine Gun role.
From the outbreak of war, until the 31 October, 1942, the 7th Battalion was part of the 199th Infantry Brigade. During this time, the 199th Infantry Brigade was part of 42 Infantry Division (03 September, 1939, to 26 September, 1939), the 66 Infantry Division (27 September, 1939, to 22 June, 1940), and 55 Infantry Division (23 June, 1940, until 31 August, 1945). It remained in the United Kingdom throughout this period.
From 07 June, 1943, until 18 March, 1944, the 7th Battalion was the Divisional Support Battalion to the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division. From the 19 March, 1944, it was converted back to a Divisional MG Battalion and remained so until the end of the War.
During the time the 7th Bn was part of it, the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division was in the following theatres and battles.
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 18 June, 1940, to 13 October, 1944 | United Kingdom | |
| 13 October, 1944, to 15 October, 1944 | At Sea | |
| 15 October, 1944, to 31 August, 1945 | NW Europe |
|
The 8th Battalion was a Territorial Army Infantry Battalion. It was not converted to a Machine Gun role.
The 1/9th Battalion was the Divisional MG Battalion to the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division between 11 November, 1941, and 04 May, 1942.
The 9th Battalion was organised as a Divisional MG Battalion but attached to General Headquarters, British Expeditionary Force, available to Corps Troops as required. It took part in the Campaign in France and Belgium, May 1940.
On 10 April, 1944, the 9th Battalion was identified as being under direct command of the Allied Force Headquarters in Italy and the Balkans.
From 15 July, 1944, until the end of the War, the 9th Battalion was the Divisional MG Battalion of the 46th Infantry Division.
During the time the 9th Bn was part of it, the 46th Infantry Division was in the following theatres and battles.
| Dates | Theatre | Battles |
| 03 July, 1944, to 13 January, 1945 | Italy |
|
| 14 January, 1945, to 07 April, 1945 | Greece | |
| 07 April, 1945, to 10 April, 1945 | At Sea | |
| 11 April, 1945, to 11 May, 1945 | Italy | |
| 12 May, 1945, to 31 August, 1945 | Austria |
After the Second World War, the MG assets reverted to MG Platoons within support companies of Infantry Battalions.