The division was formed between 18 July and 31 August 1914[1]: 127 in Irkutsk from a mobilization division, the 7th Siberian Rifle Division. The division included the 45th and 46th Siberian Rifle Regiments in its 1st Brigade, and the 47th and 48th Siberian Rifle Regiments in its 2nd Brigade. Artillery support was provided by the 12th Siberian Artillery Brigade, and the division was commanded by Lieutenant General Nikolai Sulimov. The division was part of the 7th Siberian Army Corps for the duration of the war.[2]