With my particular interest in the Army Cyclist Corps in the Macedonian campaign, I could hardly let ‘World Bicycle Day’ go unnoticed!
At the start of the First World War British infantry divisions were given a squadron of cavalry (or yeomanry) and a company of cyclists for reconnaissance, patrolling and message carrying purposes. The original cyclists came from the infantry battalions of the division and, in November 1914, were ‘rebadged’ as the newly formed Army Cyclist Corps.
An Army Cyclist Corps cap badge in the author’s collection; this is very much a ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’ sort of cap badge!
Apart from the 60th (2/2nd London) Division – which left its cyclist company in France – all the divisions of the BSF had a cyclist company. During 1916 the decision was made to merge cyclist companies into corps cyclist battalions which, alongside a cavalry regiment, would provide ‘Corps Mounted Troops’. It was not until late in that year that this development came to the BSF which gained two corps cyclist battalions:
- 12th Corps Cyclist Battalion on the Doiran front; formed from 22nd and 26th Divisional Cyclist Companies;
- 16th Corps Cyclist Battalion on the Struma front; formed from 10th, 27th and 28th Divisional Cyclist Companies.
I shall be speaking about cyclists in the Salonika campaign and, in particular, 16th Corps Cyclists in the Struma valley, at the Salonika Study Day at Great War Huts near Bury St Edmunds on Saturday 31st August. So, if you want to know more, ‘get on yer bike‘ and book your ticket now!
Mules, Mountains and Mosquitoes – A First World War Study Day
L/Cpl Fred Braysher of 28th Divisional Cyclist Company in Salonika, early 1916. The clue to the location and date is the slouch hat which was ‘in vogue’ with the BSF in spring and early summer 1916, until sun helmets were issued (Author’s collection).
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Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 
Thank you for your posting! I, too, have an interest in the Army Cyclist Corps, as my maternal grandfather was a member of the 16th Corps fighting in the Struma Valley.
I have one of those ACC cap badges. All the more remarkable when you take into account that it has resided in several households in 4 continents between when my Grandfather went home to Wandsworth in 1919, and that I now have it in Victoria!
I have two questions (at this stage!):
So many thanks for your work! Keep it up! it is much appreciated!
Clare Claydon
Down Under
Hi Clare,
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I’m always pleased to hear from anyone with an interest in the Army Cyclist Corps and, especially, 16th Corps Cyclists! That’s great that you still have his cap badge – mine came from eBay!
I don’t know if the talks will be filmed/recorded but I’ll certainly be happy to share my slides and a transcript with you (once they’re finished!).
Yes, 16th Cyclist Bn was made up of three companies which came directly from the constituent divisional cyclist companies: A (10th), B (27th) and C (28th) – so my grandfather (ex-28th) would have been in C company and I assume remained with it, but I suppose the needs of keeping the companies manned in the face of malaria hospitalisations may have seen him move around. Sadly no muster rolls survive. So, if you know which divisional company your grandfather came from you can make an assumption as to which company he was in. I’ll email you with some further thoughts.
Best wishes,
Robin
Hi Robin I am researching an Irish relative who emigrated to South Africa circa 1916 next appears on a medal card I found in Kew archives Alphonsus Doyle 16th D A Cyclist C 7832../ 1822 .Royal Irish Regiment , campaign 1914-15 ,” Discharged” back in South Africa circa 1919 where he died 1948.
Any help you can give me in my research would be much Appreciated
regard from the “Wild Atlantic Way”
Tony Murray
Hi Tony – thanks for your message, I’ll see what I can find out and get back to you. Best regards, Robin
Dear Robin,
I am a MA student at Birmingham Uni doing a dissertation on the ACC – to be submitted early Sept.
Would it be possible to make contact please? I am very interested in the ACC in Salonika.
My number is [removed].
Hi Neil – thanks for your message. I’ll be in touch. Best wishes, Robin