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The last of Kitchener’s Second New Army divisions the 20th was, apart from the 36th Ulster and 38th Welsh, also the last division to have a title. It was formed in September 1914 and composed of service battalions of Rifle and Light Infantry regiments. The division moved to France in July 1915 and its first major action was the battle of the Loos offensive, an action that brought the first of its six VCs to Lieut G.A. Maling RAMC of 61st Field Ambulance. During the first half of 1916 the division was in the Ypres salient, where it played a supporting role during the German attack on the Canadians at Mount Sorrel. At the end of July it moved to the Somme where it remained till March 1917, taking part in several of the battles, particularly Guillemont where the divisional memorial can be seen. It moved back north for the Third Ypres offensive in which it suffered 4,600 casualties, distinguishing itself in the capture of Langemark. It fought at Cambrai in late 1917,and during the German offensive of 1918 it fought a rearguard action, continuously in action for twelve days. That it was a good division is testified by the fact that the Earl of Cavan specifically asked for it as GOC the newly formed XIV Corps, and after the Somme he made a point of asking Haig not to transfer the division ‘if they can help it.’ In his introduction to this history he says: “The 20th Division never failed me, and never failed its neighbours during the time I had the honour to of commanding the XIVth Corps.” The total casualty list numbered 35,470. This history is a straightforward account in which operations are well described, including minor and individual actions with useful maps to support the narrative and a good index.
