By the time that Sir Edward Carson had announced in Belfast that an ‘Ulster’ Division was to be formed from within the ranks of the Ulster Volunteer Force, many members, fearful the war might be over before they reached the front, enlisted into other divisions. A recruiting office was opened near The Old Town Hall and as each man was attested he went from one room to another and was kitted out with uniform and equipment at the expense of the U.V.F, unlike recruits elsewhere in Britain who had to endure weeks of drilling in inadequate boots and civilian clothes.
The 36th (Ulster) Division was swiftly raised, three infantry brigades being formed on a territorial basis from the regimental areas of the U.V.F to become battalions of the existing provincial infantry regiments. The divisional artillery was formed six months later with recruits from the London area.
107th Infantry Brigade
8th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (East Belfast Volunteers)
9th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (West Belfast Volunteers)
10th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (South Belfast Volunteers)
15th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (North Belfast Volunteers)
108th Infantry Brigade
11th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim Volunteers)
12th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim Volunteers)
13th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (1st County Down Volunteers)
9th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers (Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan Volunteers)
109th Infantry Brigade
9th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers)
10th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry Volunteers)
11th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Donegal & Fermanagh Volunteers)
14th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizen Volunteers)
Pioneer Battalion
16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (2nd County Down Volunteers)
Artillery
153rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery
154th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
172nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery
173rd Brigade Royal Field ArtilleryDivisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery
Royal Engineers
121st Field Company
122nd Field Company
150th Field Company
Service Squadron Royal Inniskilling Dragoons
36th Divisional Signal Company: Royal Engineers
Divisional Cyclist Company
Royal Army Medical Corps
108th Field Ambulance
109th Field Ambulance
110th Field Ambulance
76th Sanitary Section, R.A.M.C
Divisional Train, R.A.S.C
48th Mobile Veterinary Section
To the great regret of all Ulster, it was ruled that Sir George Richardson the Officer commanding the U.V.F, could not take command of the Division, owing to the seniority of his rank. Major-General C.H. Powell, an officer with a distinguished record in the Indian Army was appointed to command the Division.
After training in England the senior officers were sent to France for instructional purposes, being attached to the 5th and 18th Divisions. On his return, Gen. Powell that during his absence, Major-General O.S.W Nugent D.S.O who had commanded a brigade in France, had been appointed to succeed him. Gen. Nugent was to remain with the division for over two and a half years. Today General Nugent’s name is universally associated with the Ulster Division.