An order of battle is a list of the various elements of a military formation organised within a hierarchical command structure. It can provide information on the strength of that formation and the equipment used. An order of battle is not necessarily a set structure, and it can change depending on tactical or strategic developments, or the evolution of military doctrine. For example, a division could be altered radically from one campaign to another through the adding or removing of subunits but retain its identity and prior history. The size of a division can vary dramatically as a result of what forces are assigned and the doctrine employed at that time.
The 6th Division is an active division of the British Army, which was first formed in October 1810. It has since been raised and disbanded numerous times numerous times from then through to present.
Napoleonic Wars
During the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815), the British Army grew in size. On 18 June 1809, Lieutenant-General Arthur Wellesley, commander of the British forces in Spain and Portugal, ordered the creation of the army's first four divisions. This was followed by the creation of the 6th Division the following year, on 6 October 1810.
On formation (October 1810) During this period, brigades were referred to by their commander's names. Due to changes in command, the brigade names fluctuated frequently.
6th Division
The division's first brigade: 1st Battalion, 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot 2nd Battalion, 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot One company from the 5th Battalion, 60th (Royal American) Regiment
Portuguese brigade: 8th Portuguese Line Regiment Loyal Lusitanian Legion
Battle of Fuentes de Onoro (May 1811) During this period, brigades were referred to by their commander's names. Due to changes in command, the brigade names fluctuated frequently.
6th Division
The division's first brigade: 1st Battalion, 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot 2nd Battalion, 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot One company from the 5th Battalion, 60th (Royal American) Regiment
The division's second brigade: 2nd Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 36th (Herefordshire) Regiment of Foot
Portuguese Brigade
8th Portuguese Line Regiment (two battalions) 12th Portuguese Line Regiment (two battalions)
Battle of Salamanca (July 1812) During this period, brigades were referred to by their commander's names. Due to changes in command, the brigade names fluctuated frequently.
6th Division
The division's first brigade: 1st Battalion, 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot 2nd Battalion, 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot One company from the 5th Battalion, 60th (Royal American) Regiment
The division's second brigade: 2nd Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 32nd (Cornwall) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 36th (Herefordshire) Regiment of Foot
Portuguese Brigade
8th Portuguese Line Regiment
12th Portuguese Line Regiment
9th Caçadores
1813 campaign, including the Battle of Sorauren
During this period, brigades were referred to by their commander's names. Due to changes in command, the brigade names fluctuated frequently.
6th Division
The division's first brigade: 1st Battalion, 42nd (Highland) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron Highlanders) 1st Battalion, 91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot One company from the 5th Battalion, 60th (Royal American) Regiment
The division's second brigade: 1st Battalion, 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 32nd (Cornwall) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 36th (Herefordshire) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot
Portuguese Brigade
8th Portuguese Line Regiment
12th Portuguese Line Regiment
9th Caçadores
1814 campaign, including the Battle of Toulouse
During this period, brigades were referred to by their commander's names. Due to changes in command, the brigade names fluctuated frequently.
6th Division
The division's first brigade: 1st Battalion, 42nd (Highland) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron Highlanders) 1st Battalion, 91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot
The division's second brigade: 1st Battalion, 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 36th (Herefordshire) Regiment of Foot 1st Battalion, 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot