Northern Cyclist Battalion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern Cyclist Battalion |
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|---|---|
| Active | October 1908 – 7 February 1920 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | British Crown |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Bicycle infantry |
| Size | Up to three battalions |
| Part of | Northern Command (peacetime) |
| Garrison/HQ | Hutton Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne |
| Service | First World War |
The Northern Cyclist Battalion was a special military group in the British Army. Its soldiers rode bicycles instead of marching or using vehicles. This battalion was formed in 1908. It served in the United Kingdom during the First World War. In 1920, it changed its role and became part of the Royal Garrison Artillery.
Contents
History of the Northern Cyclists
How the Battalion Started
Most of the Northern Cyclist Battalion was created in October 1908. It started in Sunderland and later moved to Newcastle-on-Tyne. This new group was a bicycle infantry battalion for the British Army's Territorial Force.
Before this, one cyclist company from Sunderland was part of the Sunderland Rifles. This company joined the new battalion. At first, it was called the 8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. But in 1910, it became its own group, known as the Northern Cyclist Battalion.
Where They Were Based
In August 1914, the battalion's main office, or headquarters, was at the Hutton Terrace drill hall in Newcastle-on-Tyne. It had several smaller groups called companies:
- A Company – Sunderland
- B Company – Sunderland
- C Company – West Hartlepool
- D Company – Chester-le-Street
- E Company – Newcastle-on-Tyne
- F Company – Blyth
- G Company – Whitley Bay
- H Company – Newcastle-on-Tyne
When the First World War began, the battalion was part of Northern Command. It was not attached to a larger army group. Its job was to be quick-moving soldiers. They also helped with sending messages, scouting, and other similar tasks.
The Northern Cyclists in World War I
The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 said that the Territorial Force was for defending the home country. Soldiers could not be forced to fight outside the UK. However, when the war started on August 4, 1914, many soldiers volunteered to serve overseas.
Because of this, Territorial Force units were split. This happened in August and September 1914. There were "1st Line" units for overseas service. "2nd Line" units were for home service, for those who could not or did not want to go overseas. Later, "3rd Line" units were formed. These groups trained new soldiers to replace those in the 1st and 2nd Lines.
1st Northern Cyclist Battalion
This battalion was called into action on August 4, 1914, when the First World War began. It moved to its war location in Morpeth. In 1915, it joined the Army Cyclist Corps. By 1916, it had moved to Alnwick. It stayed there as part of the Tyne Garrison until the war ended. This battalion was officially stopped on January 24, 1919.
2nd Northern Cyclist Battalion
The 2nd Line battalion was formed in late 1914. It also stayed in England throughout the war. In 1916, it was in Skegness. By June 1918, it was at Burton Constable. It was part of the Humber Garrison and remained there. This battalion was officially ended on April 17, 1919.
On July 4, 1915, this battalion sent soldiers to form the 10th Provisional Cyclist Company at Chapel St Leonards.
3rd Northern Cyclist Battalion
The 3rd Line battalion was created in Newcastle in 1915. Its job was to train new soldiers. These new soldiers would then join the 1st and 2nd Line battalions. This battalion was ended in March 1916. Its soldiers were sent to the 1st and 2nd Battalions and to the Machine Gun Corps.
After the War
The Territorial Force was officially ended after the First World War. But it was reformed in 1920. From October 1, 1921, it was renamed the Territorial Army.
A big change happened with the new Territorial Army. The army decided that bicycle units were no longer needed. This was based on what they learned during the war. So, the existing cyclist battalions were either ended or changed into artillery or signals units.
The Northern Cyclist Battalion was reformed in Newcastle on February 7, 1920. It joined with another group, the former 3rd Northumbrian (County of Durham) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Together, they formed a medium artillery brigade of the Royal Garrison Artillery. It was called the 3rd (Northumbrian) Medium Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. Soon after, it was renamed the 55th (Northumbrian) Medium Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery.
This new artillery group included:
- Headquarters – This absorbed the main office and ammunition group of the 3rd Northumbrian (County of Durham) Brigade, RFA.
- 217th Medium Battery
- 218th Medium Battery – Formed from the 1st Durham Battery, RFA.
- 219th Medium Battery – Formed from the 2nd Durham Battery, RFA.
- 220th Medium Battery – Also formed from the 1st Durham Battery, RFA.
See also
- Army Cyclist Corps
