Complex sentence: The 18th Battalion was formed in September 1939 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Gray and was the first of three infantry battalions designated to make up the first echelon of the 2nd New Zealand Division, destined for overseas service.
Split into simpler sentences: The 18th Battalion formed in September 1939 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Gray. It was the first of three infantry battalions designated to make up the first echelon of the 2nd New Zealand Division, destined for overseas service.