the robin hoods

2/7th Battalion


59th (2nd North Midland) Division

The 2nd North Midland Division was formed in January 1915 from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 46th Division. The Division moved to Ireland in April 1916 in response to the Easter Uprising. In January 1917 the Division returned to England in readiness for service on the Western Front, where it served from February 1917 until the Armistice.


178th (2nd Notts and Derby) Brigade


  • 2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters : Jan 1915 - 2 Jun 1918; reduced to Cadre 7 May 1918; Cadre to the 16th Division
  • 2/6th Bn Sherwood Foresters : Feb 1915 - 7 May 1918; reduced to Cadre 7 May 1918; Cadre to Lines of Communication Troops
  • 2/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters : Jan 1915 - 6 Feb 1918; absorbed by 1/7th Bn and renamed 7th Bn
  • 2/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters : Jan 1915 - 6 Jan 1918; disbanded
  • 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters : Feb 1918 - 29 May 1918; reduced to Cadre 7 May 1918; Cadre to the 30th Division

2/7th (Robin Hood) Battalion


  • 19 Sep 1914 : formed as a second line unit at Nottingham
  • Aug 1915 : part of the 176th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division
  • 26 Apr 1916 : hurriedly moved to Dublin in response to the Easter Rebellion
  • 27 Feb 1917 : disembarked at Le Havre, France
  • 7 May 1918 : reduced to cadre
  • 3 August 1918 : disbanded in France

Battles and Engagements

As 2/7th Battalion:

  • 14 Mar-5 Apr 1917 : German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
  • 20-25 Sep 1917 : Battle of the Menin Road
  • 26 Sep-3 Oct 1917 : Battle of Polygon Wood
  • 30 Nov-3 Dec 1917 : German counter attacks

As 7th Battalion:

  • 21-23 Mar 1918 : Battle of St. Quentin
  • 24-25 Mar 1918 : First Battle of Bapaume
  • 13-15 Apr 1918 : Battle of Bailleul, including the defence of Neuve Eglise
  • 17-19 Apr 1918 : First Battle of Kemmel