Wessex Division 43rd (1st Wessex) Division 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division 43rd (Wessex) Division/District | |
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Active | 1908–1919 1920–1945 1947–1967 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Territorial Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Division |
Peacetime HQ | Exeter |
Nickname(s) | 'Fighting Wessex Wyverns' 'Yellow Devils' 'The Wicked Wyvern' |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Arthur Percival Sir Ivor Thomas Sir George Erskine |
The 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division was an infantry division of Britain's Territorial Army (TA). The division was first formed in 1908, as the Wessex Division. During the First World War, it was broken-up and never served as a complete formation. It was reformed in the TA in 1920, and then served in the campaign in North West Europe from June 1944 until May 1945, during the Second World War. The division suffered heavy casualties and gained an excellent reputation. After the Second World War, the division formed part of the postwar TA, and became the 43rd (Wessex) Division/District in 1961. It was finally disbanded in 1967.