Hapana kusimbiswa kwakasvika kumapoka eWessex muna 1915, uye simba ravo rakatanga kuderera, rakawedzera nekurasikirwa nevakawanda vevashandi vepamusoro (NCOs) avo vakatorwa kuenda kunodzidziswa. Paivawo nechinodikanwa chekupa zvekusimbiswa kune dzimwe nzvimbo dzehondo: 1/5th yakatumira chirongwa chevarume makumi mashanu ku2nd Bn Dorsetshire Regiment avo vakarasika paKudonha kweKut
muMesopotamia. Pakazosvika 1916 zvaive pachena kuti 43rd (Wessex) Division yakakwana yaisakwanisa kudzoserwa kuWestern Front sezvakange zvarongwa, saka pachinzvimbo chekudzidziswa kwakasundirwa mberi muIndia, mamwe madhirowa akagamuchirwa (kusanganisira boka revanhu kubva ku2/5th Devons, ipapo muEjipitori), uye zvikamu zvakasara zvakagadzirirwa basa muMesopotamia.