18th (Service) Battalion

2nd South-East Lancashire

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Arthur Bell served in the 18th Battalion

17th (Service) Battalion (1st South-East Lancashire) and 18th (Service) Battalion (2nd South-East Lancashire)

03.12.1914
The 17th formed and the 18th formed on the 13.01.1915, both as a Bantam Bn in Bury by Lieutenant-Colonel G E Wike and a committee.

16.03.1915
The 17th moved to Chadderton near Oldham and then to Masham, Yorks to join the 104th Brigade of the 35th Division.

08.04.1915
The 18th moved to Garswood Park, Ashton-in-Makerfield and then to Masham, Yorks to join the 104th Brigade of the 35th Division.

27.08.1915
Both Battalions taken over by the War Office and moved to Cholderton, Salisbury Plain.

29.01.1916
Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and the Division engaged in various action on the Western Front including;

During 1916
The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The fighting for Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm, and Falfemont Farm.
Early 1917 Ceased to be a bantam Battalion.

During 1917
The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The fighting in Houthulst Forest, The Second Battle of Passchendaele.

During 1918
The First Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Ypres, The Battle of Courtrai, The action of Tieghem.

11.11.1918
The 17th ended the war in Belgium, Grammont and the 18th in Belgium, Paricke west of Grammont.