W. S. C.

October, 1914.

APPENDIX E
FIRST LORD’S MINUTES

Formation of the Royal Naval Division

Secretary.

First Sea Lord.

Second Sea Lord.

In order to make the best possible use of the surplus naval reservists of different classes, it is proposed to constitute permanent cadres of one marine and two naval brigades. The marine brigade has already been partially formed in four battalions, aggregating 1,880 active service men. To this will be added an approximately equal number of reservists, making the total strength of the brigade 3,900, organised in four battalions of four double companies of approximately 250 men. The two naval brigades will also consist of four battalions, each, if possible, of 880 men, organised in sixteen double companies of 220. The composition of each battalion should be as follows:—

R.N.V.R.375
R.F.R. (picked, under 30 years of age)313
R.N.R.190

The total numbers required for the two naval brigades would therefore be:—