Complex sentence: The squadron arrived in August 1917, too late to join the 1st Division, but sailed without orders for France aboard the liner SS "Lapland" under the command of Major Ralph Royce, who requested sailing orders by cable a day after departure.
Split into simpler sentences: The squadron arrived in August 1917, too late to join the 1st Division, but sailed without orders for France aboard the liner SS "Lapland". Squadron commander Major Ralph Royce requested sailing orders by cable a day after departure.