Highland Cyclist Battalion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Highland Cyclist Battalion
Highland Cyclist Battalion Cap Badge
Active	29 February 1860 – February 1920
Country	United Kingdom
Allegiance	British Crown
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry Bicycle infantry
Size	Up to three battalions
Part of	Scottish Command (peacetime)
Garrison/HQ	Taymouth Perth Road, Birnam Hunter Street, Kirkcaldy
Service	First World War

The Highland Cyclist Battalion was a special group of soldiers in the British Army. They were known as bicycle infantry, meaning they used bicycles to move around quickly.

This battalion started as part of the Volunteer Force in 1860. Later, in 1881, it became a volunteer group linked to the famous Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) regiment. In 1909, it became its own independent unit. The battalion served in the United Kingdom during the First World War. After the war, in 1920, it was changed into a signals unit for the Highland Division.

History of the Battalion

Joining the Volunteer Force

After the Crimean War (1853–1856), relations between Britain and France became tense. By 1859, some people in Britain worried that France might try to invade. The regular British Army was busy elsewhere, especially after the Indian Mutiny (1857–1858).

Because of these worries, many ordinary people decided to volunteer to help protect their country. This led to the creation of the Volunteer Force.

Many small groups of volunteers, called Rifle Volunteer Corps, were set up across Britain starting in May 1859. These groups were organized into larger units called battalions or companies.

The 2nd Administrative Battalion, Perthshire Rifle Volunteers was formed on 12 November 1861. Its main office was at Taymouth. This battalion brought together several smaller volunteer groups from the Perthshire and Argyllshire areas.

Over the years, the battalion changed its structure and moved its headquarters to Birnam in 1869. More volunteer groups joined, and some left. In 1874, it gained a special name: the 2nd (The Perthshire Highland) Administrative Battalion, Perthshire Rifle Volunteers.

By 1880, the government decided to make these volunteer battalions more organized. Each small volunteer group became a company within the battalion. On 15 June 1880, the battalion was officially named the 2nd Perthshire (The Perthshire Highland) Rifle Volunteer Corps. Its headquarters stayed in Birnam, and it had eight companies spread across different towns.

Becoming Part of the Black Watch

In 1881, the British Army made big changes to its infantry regiments. Volunteer groups like this one became "volunteer battalions" of larger, well-known regiments. On 1 July 1881, this battalion became a volunteer battalion of the famous Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).

On 1 December 1887, it was officially named the 5th (Perthshire Highland) Volunteer Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). In October 1894, the battalion moved its main office to the Perth Road drill hall in Birnam.

The battalion also sent some of its members to fight in the Second Boer War in South Africa. For their service, they earned a special honour called the South Africa 1900–02 battle honour.

Joining the Territorial Force

On 1 April 1908, a new military force was created called the Territorial Force. This force brought together and reorganized the old Volunteer Force and other volunteer groups. When the 5th Volunteer Battalion joined the Territorial Force, it became a bicycle infantry unit.

At first, it was called the 8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). But in January 1909, it became an independent unit and was renamed the Highland Cyclist Battalion. In 1911, some companies moved to another battalion, and three new companies were formed in Fife to replace them.

By August 1914, just before the First World War began, the battalion's headquarters was at the Hunter Street drill hall in Kirkcaldy. It had companies in several towns, including:

• A Company – Kirkcaldy
• B Company – Cowie
• C Company – Tayport
• D Company – Forfar
• E Company – Dunfermline
• F Company – New Scone
• G Company – East Wemyss
• H Company – Bannockburn

The battalion was designed to be a mobile infantry unit, meaning soldiers could move quickly. They were also good at sending messages (signals) and exploring (scouting).

Service in the First World War

When the First World War started on 4 August 1914, the Territorial Force was mainly for defending Britain. However, many soldiers volunteered to serve overseas. Because of this, Territorial Force units were split into different "lines" in 1914:

• 1st Line units were ready to serve overseas.
• 2nd Line units were for home defence, for those who couldn't or didn't want to go overseas.
• Later, 3rd Line units were formed to train new soldiers and send them as replacements to the 1st and 2nd Lines.

The 1st Highland Cyclist Battalion

This main battalion was called up for duty on 4 August 1914. It moved to East Linton, East Lothian. In 1915, it became part of the Army Cyclist Corps and moved to St Andrews. By May 1918, it moved to Ireland, staying in Enniskillen and Randalstown until the war ended. The battalion officially stopped its duties on 3 December 1919.

The 2nd Highland Cyclist Battalion

The 2nd Line battalion was formed in Kirkcaldy in November 1914. In 1915, it was based in Montrose, and in 1916, it moved to Arbroath. In May 1918, this battalion also moved to Ireland, first to Athlone, then to Curragh Camp in August 1918. It was officially disbanded on 3 July 1919.

In July 1915, this battalion also helped create a temporary unit called the 1st Provisional Cyclist Company, which was later disbanded in April 1916.

The 3rd Highland Cyclist Battalion

The 3rd Line battalion was formed in Kirkcaldy in 1915. Its job was to train new soldiers to replace those in the 1st and 2nd Line battalions. This battalion was disbanded in March 1916. Its soldiers were sent to the 1st and 2nd Battalions or to the Machine Gun Corps.

After the War

After the First World War, the Territorial Force was reorganized and renamed the Territorial Army in 1921.

One big change was that the army decided they didn't need cyclist units anymore. Existing cyclist battalions were either closed down or changed into other types of units, like artillery or signals. The Highland Cyclist Battalion became part of the Highland Divisional Signals in 1920.

See also

• Army Cyclist Corps