The Devonshire Regiment in the Great War

Local historian Dr Tony Rea consider the role of the regiment’s battalions in their major engagements throughout World War One At the outbreak of war in August 1914 the Devonshire Regiment comprised two regular battalions a 3rd, Special Reserve, battalion and four part-time Territorial Force battalions. By 1917 the regiment had expanded to sixteen battalions strong and its soldiers fought not only on the Western Front but in Italy, Salonika, Mesopotamia and the Holy Land. Amongst its honours was the award of the French Croix de Guerre to the 2nd battalion and the Victoria Cross to two soldiers. Tony's presentation will consider the role of the regiment’s battalions in some major engagements including the retreat from Mons 1914, Loos 1915, the Somme 1916 and the German offensive of 1918.