Today, the image of soldiers on bicycles seems incongruous, but in the late 19th century we were not blessed with quite so much technology. We take personal transport for granted, but at this point in history you either walked or, if you were rich enough, used a horse. Bicycles, in their way, were a quiet revolution.
The earliest cycle design dates back to 1534 when Caprotti, a pupil of Leonardo da Vinci, sketched a design. The first modern cycles, without pedals, were used in the early 19th century and pedals appeared in 1863. The Scots were at the cutting edge of bicycle design at that time (a fact I throw in for Tootlepedal). Designs moved on to the “ordinary” or “penny farthing” design.
Thomas Stevens used a penny farthing on his trip when he became the first man to ride round the world on a bicycle in 1884-6. Annie Londonderry was the first woman to travel round the world with a bicycle, in 1894-5.
The first British military cyclists to see action were the messengers attached to the Jameson Raid in 1895-6. They appeared again during the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, when one unit was equipped with specially adapted tandems to ride along railway lines and guard them from sabotage. Both sides used bicycle troops as couriers, scouts and raiders.
Unlikely as it may seem to a generation that needs four wheel drive to cross open country, bicycles were seen as the solution to moving quantities of troops rapidly across open ground and in Switzerland they were able to travel on terrain that horses could not. With a network of roads available to them bicycle troops were seen as cheaper, quieter and easier to train than cavalry.
Both sides used bicycles in the Great War and they were also a feature of the Second World War (the Japanese using 50,000 bicycle troops in Malaya), Vietnam and the Tamil Tigers’ uprising in Sri Lanka. The Swiss disbanded their bicycle troops in 2001, whilst the Sri Lankan army still has bicycle troops.
At the beginning of the Great War the British Army had 14 battalions of bicycle infantry ready for use. Many were used on coastal defence in the UK, and others served on the Western Front, though they were not particularly useful until the resumption of open warfare at the end of 1918.
Although this may not seem like good value it was at least as effective as the cavalry, and bikes, unlike horses, didn’t need food or stables and didn’t produce manure.
Painted enamel brooch of the Northern Cyclists – about three times life size, which is why some of the detail looks a bit blurred.
The Kent Cyclists served on the North West Frontier during the war and, along with the 25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion served in the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
The 2/10th (Cyclist) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) served in the North Russian campaign.
The Army Cyclist Corps was disbanded in 1920 and all the units were redeployed by 1922.
Sweetheart brooch of the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion. They spent most of their war guarding the Yorkshire coast. The fact that it is still there speaks highly of their efficiency and a job well done.
Now I know why you saved this one for Tootlepedal. 🙂 Soldiers on bicycles is an interesting idea. I don’t ride on the roads here, as there is too much traffic, especially logging trucks.
Yes, I can’t imagine logging trucks make good company on a bike. 🙂
Near where I used to work, a woman who was part of a group of cyclists was sucked under a logging truck. She was dragged some distance before the driver knew what had happened.
Easy done with these big vehicles. I wouldn’t like to fall out with one. 🙂
Fascinating history. Love the pins. Wish biking would make a comeback. So many pluses. Bike lanes would be a big, big help. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see all those soldiers biking away?
With modern bikes it could be possible.
When I lived in Peterborough (the original one rather than the Ontario one) they had miles of dedicated cycle routes. Provision is very erratic in the UK.
Same here. And what a blessed relief to ride bikes where there are no cars. I really do believe that if there were more bike trails, then people would feel safer and ride bikes more for transportation.
I know I would, but with the traffic round here, particularly buses, this is no place to start my cycling renaissance.
Yes, traffic can be an issue, even in our rural neck of the woods. For our bike ride, we have to cross a very busy road where the cars zip by at 60 mph minimum. We have gotten to the point where we take the car across it to a little park in town and start from there. Makes me feel wimpy, but I have come to hate crossing that road on my bike.
Nothing wimpy about common sense. 🙂
When next I visit the Yorkshire coast I will think of the Huntingdonshire Cyclist’s Battalion!
You have much to thank them for. For the Suffolk Cyclists try this link.
http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/gallery-first-world-war-why-we-must-remember-suffolk-s-cycling-battalions-who-fought-in-a-forgotten-conflict-1-3814574
Thank-you very much for the link – fascinating stuff!
That goodness that loyal cyclists saved the Yorkshire coast. Did they wear lycra?
I hope not, as it would be difficult to regard anyone in lycra as a hero.
I find it quite possible for some reason.
I suspect you have become desensitised to it after many years of cycling. To me, a tweed suit and muffler should be obligatory wear for all cyclists using public roads. 🙂
I always wear a tweed suit over my lycra.
It would improve drives in the countryside if everyone adopted your approach, and less livestock would be frightened.
Thank you- I live and learn, I had no inclination that cycles were in use during the Boer war!
I learnt a lot by writing it too.
That I before the he was not meant to be there.
I automatically filtered it out. 🙂
As a well known exponent of the typo myself, I hardly ever see them.
My head can rush ahead of my typing typo fingers then Oops!
Easy done!
My Father-in-law seems to think your are fairly local to Nottingham
I’m in Sherwood. Is that near enough? 🙂
Ah we are in Arnold. Orvillewrong is my Father-in-law.
That near enough makes us neighbours. 🙂
Yes
☺
I’ve been to Sherwood a few times I Like the magic shop Mystic Moon and stonehouse bakery the cafe almost opposite well opposite the road mystic moon is off.
I hardly ever go into Sherwood these days – more likely to be in Arnold or Mapperley – they are easier on my knee, being flat.
Ah, there is a great Costa coffee shop in Arnold.
I confess I don’t go in many coffee shops.
I Like Costa coffee.
🙂
Near the market.
That brings back memories – I used to stand at the Monday market for a several years.
You will be sad now I have been told it is not the market it used to be.
Yes, it went down badly over the years.
It is a shame. I have only lived in Arnold since 2007.
I found this post interesting, my Mum’s Dad, my Grandpa worked at Raleigh after returning from WW2. Whilst working there he met HRH Prince Charles. I he recalled this with great pride. He was a spokes fitter and qc. A union Man for Raleigh workers.
We were talking about the bicycle industry just a couple of days ago, and saying it’s a shame the way things have gone. Julia’s family were involved with cycle and motorbikes in Coventry around WW1.
Julia is your good lady?
Yes, she appears in the blog occasionally, so you will see her eventually.