3 september 1939
With the outbreak of the second world war the division under Major General Pierse Mackesy was mobilised for full-time war service. The division, understrength started recruiting. The division consisting of 146th, 147th and 148th Infantry Brigades was initially engaged in static defensive duties, Guarding vital points without any proper training. Soon the division would start the training so that once fully trained the division would join the British Expeditionay Force (BEF) in France.