Wellington Infantry Regiment - organisation

[Guest etidalgo]

Hello -

I have been reading about some of the New Zealand battalions and regiments and have some questions about the organisation of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of Wellington Infantry Regiment. I understand the 1st Battalion WIR had 4 companies at the start of the war, Wellington West Coast, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and Ruahine.

Did these companies remain part of the 1st Battalion through out the war?

When the 2nd Battalion was formed, did it have the same companies or different ones? If the companies were different, what were they?

One of the histories refers to Wellington West Company of the 2nd Battalion, and I wonder if this is separate from the Wellington West Company of the 1st Battalion or did it move?

Any clarification would be appreciate.

Thanks,

Ernest

[jacksdad]

Hi Ernest

Both 1st Wellington and 2nd Wellington battalions had the same company make up - both had separate Wellington West Coast, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and Ruahine companies.

In 1916 1/Wellington Battalion was part of 1st NZ Infantry Brigade and 2/Wellington part of 2nd NZ Infantry Brigade. in 1917 they were both moved into 1st Brigade.

Cheers Rodg