RIP
- Thread starter surfgurl
- Start date
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summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
I wonder what they did ... never heard of a Cyclist Regiment before!
I've only done a bit of research so far, but it appears there were several regiments. Some men saw service on the Western Front, delivering messages etc. Some men were part of the home defence network around the coast in case we were invaded. Quite what they were supposed to do if someone landed I don't know!
I'll do some more research and see what I can find.
I'll do some more research and see what I can find.
andy_wrx
Über Member
I've looked previously - have a Google around for 'cyclists battalions', you'll find lots of info.
Here's a taster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Cyclist_Corps
Switzerland was the last country to maintain one, they disbanded theirs in 2003
Lots of examples of regular army units using MTB's, even uptodate in Iraq & Afghanistan.
Here's a taster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Cyclist_Corps
Switzerland was the last country to maintain one, they disbanded theirs in 2003
Lots of examples of regular army units using MTB's, even uptodate in Iraq & Afghanistan.
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
Sad! I bet he was only a young lad! 
andy_wrx
Über Member
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Doesn't tell us anything that gravestone doesn't
Doesn't tell us anything that gravestone doesn't
Mortiroloboy
New Member
It says Army Cyclist Corps, from my limited knowledge of the British Army and its make up, a Corps, such as the Corps of Royal Signals or the Royal Logistics Corps RLC (which is incidentally the largest Corps in the British Army), are distinct from Regiments in as much as Regiments are usually fighting organisations whereas Corps supply a specialist skill to the regimental/battalion organisation. So you get clerks from the RLC attached to Regiments and signallers attached to etc.
Then there is the Adjutant General Corps AGC which consists of a mixture of all sorts of trades and the Royal Military Police RMP.
Cyclist's were common place during WW1, ALL the combative nations had cycle mounted infantry ( The French Army went to war in a taxi) posh gits Ha ha ha ha !!!
But the Army Cyclist Corps were engaged on messanger duties, so it's safe to assume that Private DUDLEY was probably carrying signals from or to the trenches, and in all probability was killed by shrapnel, which was responsible for the majority of injuries and deaths during WW1.
Then there is the Adjutant General Corps AGC which consists of a mixture of all sorts of trades and the Royal Military Police RMP.
Cyclist's were common place during WW1, ALL the combative nations had cycle mounted infantry ( The French Army went to war in a taxi) posh gits Ha ha ha ha !!!
But the Army Cyclist Corps were engaged on messanger duties, so it's safe to assume that Private DUDLEY was probably carrying signals from or to the trenches, and in all probability was killed by shrapnel, which was responsible for the majority of injuries and deaths during WW1.
peloquin
New Member
I agree Dom - its a shame that the forces dont use them enough (the US Paratroopers use Hummer folding bikes however)
Back on topic: imo the ACC did a hell of a lot to advance terrain cycle technology ~ from geometry to wheels to frame, all of their bikes underwent modifications for use offroad.
Back on topic: imo the ACC did a hell of a lot to advance terrain cycle technology ~ from geometry to wheels to frame, all of their bikes underwent modifications for use offroad.
Andy in Sig
Vice President in Exile
- Location
- Sigmaringen, Germany
Further to Mortiroloboy's post: The Corps essentially recruit nationally whereas the infantry and cavalry tend to recruit regionally. Most of the Corps are indeed in supporting roles although the Army Air Corps fights (mostly with tank destroying helicopters). As with all British soldiers the members of Corps are expected to fight should circumstances dictate.
To me the odd thing about a cyclist Corps is its role. Clearly cycling as such has no military function. What I mean is that I could understand equipping e.g. an infantry battalion with bikes so you could have imaginarily had 3rd (Bicycle) Bn, Coldstream Guards.
The question is then, were they infanteers provided with enhanced mobility or did they have another job like despatch delivery?
To me the odd thing about a cyclist Corps is its role. Clearly cycling as such has no military function. What I mean is that I could understand equipping e.g. an infantry battalion with bikes so you could have imaginarily had 3rd (Bicycle) Bn, Coldstream Guards.
The question is then, were they infanteers provided with enhanced mobility or did they have another job like despatch delivery?
Andy in Sig said:
Thank you for this info on recruiting. I have been puzzled about his background since I found out about him. I have done a bit of research and think he was born in Kings Norton, now part of Birmingham and was a bit bemused as to how he could have ended up in a graveyard in Somerset with no local connection. There was a cyclist corp attached to the Devonshire Regiment, so I guess he could have been recruited nationally to them.
If we assume he may have been with the Devonshire Regiment, I think from memory, they didn't ship out to the Western Front until later in 1915. From my limited reading they used the Army Cyclist Corps to send messages and patrol the coast in case of invasion. So it may well be that he was doing that.
I'll keep delving and find out some more info about him and the Army Cyclist Corps.
I did some research a while ago (looking for work bikes) when I cama cross two items that are of interest:
Swiss Army Cyclists on Youtube
There is also superb page on cycles in military use (although with US Bias) here
Of particular interest is the comparison table showing that a "cycle soldier" can carry an additional 25 lbs in equipment, travel a further 50 miles at thre times the speed and on the same rations!
Meanwhile back on topic....
It is nice to see that this has provoked such a response..... these finds do exactly what they are supposed to do provoke interest and help us remember the person behind the gravestone.
Swiss Army Cyclists on Youtube
There is also superb page on cycles in military use (although with US Bias) here
Of particular interest is the comparison table showing that a "cycle soldier" can carry an additional 25 lbs in equipment, travel a further 50 miles at thre times the speed and on the same rations!
Meanwhile back on topic....
It is nice to see that this has provoked such a response..... these finds do exactly what they are supposed to do provoke interest and help us remember the person behind the gravestone.
Tim Bennet.
Entirely Average Member
- Location
- S of Kendal
Where you find isolated war graves in this country from the first World War, they are usually people who died from their wounds during recuperation. Their location only shows where they chose to 'get better'. Many town dwellers would often go to a (distant) relative in the country as the air was thought to be 'better'.
Without antibiotics, the numbers dying even after they were in full time medical care was horrific. The 12000 graves at Etaples were those who survived long enough to be evacuated from the front (pre medivac helicopters!) but did not survive their treatment at the main base general hospitals. Many others later died even after evacuation back to Blighty.
The Army Cycling Corps was a collective term for all the disparate cycling units (mostly volunteer reserves) that had been established during cycling's golden years prior to WW1. They were often separate companies within the county regiment structure. They first went overseas in 1915, but those assigned to the Western Front often found their bikes more of a hindrance than a help. Those who didn't ditch their machines were often the ones attached at Divisional level as part of their 'mounted' detachments, and deployed for communications and reconnaissance.
Because of the sort of people who were attracted to these units, they got a reputation for their cunning / bravery / resourcefulness. There was also another unit that began to get a similar reputation that also used bikes, and that was the Artist's Rifles. Many of the volunteers to that unit were 'artistic types' who if they didn't immediately volunteer for the front, were easy targets for the white feather treatment. To (over) compensate for this perception they often volunteered for more risky duties. Although all these units are now gone, some recognition of the part they played still exists. One of the TA (volunteer) SAS units still have 'The Artists' as part of their full name and have (or certainly had when I was a lad), crossed paint brushes and a bicycle wheel as their lapel badge.
Without antibiotics, the numbers dying even after they were in full time medical care was horrific. The 12000 graves at Etaples were those who survived long enough to be evacuated from the front (pre medivac helicopters!) but did not survive their treatment at the main base general hospitals. Many others later died even after evacuation back to Blighty.
The Army Cycling Corps was a collective term for all the disparate cycling units (mostly volunteer reserves) that had been established during cycling's golden years prior to WW1. They were often separate companies within the county regiment structure. They first went overseas in 1915, but those assigned to the Western Front often found their bikes more of a hindrance than a help. Those who didn't ditch their machines were often the ones attached at Divisional level as part of their 'mounted' detachments, and deployed for communications and reconnaissance.
Because of the sort of people who were attracted to these units, they got a reputation for their cunning / bravery / resourcefulness. There was also another unit that began to get a similar reputation that also used bikes, and that was the Artist's Rifles. Many of the volunteers to that unit were 'artistic types' who if they didn't immediately volunteer for the front, were easy targets for the white feather treatment. To (over) compensate for this perception they often volunteered for more risky duties. Although all these units are now gone, some recognition of the part they played still exists. One of the TA (volunteer) SAS units still have 'The Artists' as part of their full name and have (or certainly had when I was a lad), crossed paint brushes and a bicycle wheel as their lapel badge.