Kent Cyclist Battalion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kent Cyclist Battalion |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1 April 1908 – February 1920 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | British Crown |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Up to three battalions |
| Part of | Eastern Command (peacetime) 16th Indian Division (Third Anglo-Afghan War) |
| Garrison/HQ | Corn Exchange, Tonbridge, Kent |
| Engagements | First World War Third Anglo-Afghan War |
The Kent Cyclist Battalion was a special military unit in the British Army. It was made up of soldiers who rode bicycles! They were part of the Territorial Force, which was a group of volunteer soldiers.
This battalion started in 1908. During the First World War, they were sent all the way to India. They even fought in a conflict called the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919. In 1920, the unit changed and became part of the Royal Artillery, which uses cannons.
Contents
History of the Cyclist Battalion
How the Battalion Started
The Kent Cyclist Battalion was a brand new unit. It was formed on April 1, 1908, in a town called Tonbridge. At first, it was known as the "6th (Cyclist) Battalion" of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).
But in 1910, it became its own separate unit. It was renamed the Kent Cyclist Battalion. This change was made to encourage more people from the eastern part of Kent to join.
When the First World War began in August 1914, the battalion's main office was in the Corn Exchange in Tonbridge. They had many smaller groups, called companies, spread across Kent:
- A Company - Bromley
- B Company - Tonbridge (including Pembury Troop)
- C Company - Beckenham
- D Company - Maidstone (including Chatham Troop)
- E Company - Tunbridge Wells
- F Company - Canterbury (including Ashford and Whitstable Troops)
- G Company - Ramsgate (including Margate and Sandwich Troops)
- H Company - Sandgate (including Hythe, Dover and Folkestone Troops)
At the start of the war, the battalion was part of Eastern Command. They were not attached to a larger group. Their job was to be fast-moving soldiers. They also helped with sending messages, scouting, and other important tasks.
The Kent Cyclists in World War I
The Territorial Force was originally meant to defend Britain at home. Soldiers in this force usually didn't have to fight outside the country. However, when the First World War started in August 1914, many soldiers volunteered to serve overseas.
Because of this, the Territorial Force units were split into different groups:
- 1st Line units: These soldiers were ready to serve overseas.
- 2nd Line units: These soldiers stayed in Britain for home defense. They were for those who couldn't or didn't want to go overseas.
- 3rd Line units: These were like training groups. They trained new soldiers to replace those in the 1st and 2nd Lines.
1st Kent Cyclist Battalion: Overseas Service
The 1st Kent Cyclist Battalion was called into action on August 4, 1914. They moved to Canterbury. In 1915, they helped defend the coast between Swale and Rye. They also had a small group in the Medway Defences.
On December 2, 1915, the battalion moved to Chiseldon in Wiltshire. There, they joined three other cyclist battalions. These units were then changed from cyclists to regular infantry (foot soldiers). They were originally planned to go to East Africa. Instead, they sailed for India on February 8, 1916.
The battalion arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai) on March 3, 1916. They were first based in Bangalore. Over the next few years, they moved to different areas in India. They served with various brigades and divisions.
They took part in several important operations:
- From March to April 1917, they served in the South Waziristan Field Force.
- From May to August 1917, they were with the North Waziristan Field Force.
For these actions, they earned their first special recognition, called a battle honour: "N.W. Frontier, India 1917".
They then moved to Dalhousie. In March 1918, they went to Baluchistan. They served there until May 1918. This earned them another battle honour: "Baluchistan 1918".
In April 1919, the battalion helped stop riots in the Punjab region. Then, from May to August 1919, they fought in the Third Anglo-Afghan War near Peshawar. Their actions in this war earned them their third and final battle honour: "Afghanistan 1919".
The battalion left India in November 1919 and arrived back in England in December. They were then officially ended as a military unit in February 1920.
2nd Kent Cyclist Battalion: Home Defense
The 2nd Line battalion was formed in Canterbury in 1914 or 1915. This unit stayed in England for the entire war. In 1916, they were part of the 6th Cyclist Brigade. This brigade was based in Wingham, Kent.
Later, they moved to Ramsgate and then to Folkestone. By March 1918, they were part of the Cyclist Division. They were based in Lydd and then Folkestone again in November 1918. This battalion was officially ended on July 28, 1919.
3rd Kent Cyclist Battalion: Training New Soldiers
The 3rd Line battalion was created in Canterbury in 1915. Its job was to train new soldiers. These new recruits would then join the 1st and 2nd Line battalions when needed. This training unit was likely ended in 1915 or 1916.
After the War: A New Role
After the First World War, the Territorial Force was reorganized. It was renamed the Territorial Army in 1921.
During this time, the army decided they no longer needed cyclist units. So, existing cyclist battalions were either ended or changed into other types of units.
The Kent Cyclist Battalion was reformed in Bromley on February 7, 1920. But this time, they became an artillery unit. They were called the "208th (Bromley) Battery" of the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). They joined a larger artillery group, which was later renamed the "52nd (Kent) Medium Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery".
Battle Honours: A Mark of Bravery
A battle honour is a special award given to military units. It recognizes their bravery and success in specific battles or campaigns. The Kent Cyclist Battalion received three battle honours:
- N.W. Frontier, India 1917
- Baluchistan 1918
- Afghanistan 1919
They were the only cyclist battalion in the British Army to ever receive battle honours. This shows how important and brave their service was.
Honorary Colonel
- 1909–1921: Brevet Colonel Sir Henry Streatfield
See also
- Army Cyclist Corps
