Cyclists and the Salonika Campaign

[Gardenerbill]

Whilst transcribing my Grandfathers MT Company war diary I came across references to repairs of cycles. Intrigued I dug out my copy of ‘The New Mosquito’ (Salonika Campaign Society magazine) issue 28 September 2013 the ‘Fred’ special. If you are interested in the activities of Cyclist Companies, I recommend you join the Salonika Campaign Society and order a back copy of this excellent magazine. Here are some notes I made from the magazine article written by Robin Braysher:

P15 A brief pedal through the history of military cycling

P15.1 Frist military use of cyclists Italians 1875

P15.2-3 First military use in England 1885 committee formed to investigate use of cycles. First unit formed 1888

P15.4 First use in action Boer War

P16.1 14 Cyclist battalions formed between 1908 and 1914

P16.3 Benefits of cycling

P13 Divisional Mounted Troops

P13.1 Each Division takes 1 cyclist company to France. Initial success sees companies doubled to 6 platoons of 30 men

P13.2 28^th Division Cyclist Company created from volunteers from within.

P17 Cyclists in France and Flanders

P18.1-2-3-6 Cyclists duties

P19 Cyclist in Salonika 28 Div cyclists arrive 2/12/15

P19.1 Fortnight later move to Guvesne (Seres Rd) with SYB. Div HQ is at Lembet.

P19.2 Feb ’16 back to Salonika, Monastir Rd camp.

P20.2 Small Patrols along Seres road

P20.3 Move to Orljak, Lahana, Likovan. Malaria outbreak . Work with 7^th Mtd Bde (DY) to determine practicality of patrolling the Struma Valley.

P20.4 Vegeatation in the Struma Valley

P20.7 Jul-Aug ’16 Cyclist company’s duties.

P21.2 Aug 18^th Patrols sent out to report on Bulgarian advance.

P21.3 Aug 24^th Cycle companies form the XVI Corps Cyclist Battalion.

P21.4 Reference to villages taken in Struma valley

P21.5 June ’17 Infantry withdraw from Struma valley

P21.6 Details of Patrols

P22.1 Effect of constant patrolling on nerves.

P22.2 Use of pigeons on patrol.

P23.3 Officers description of patrols.

Unfortunately the article doesn't cover the advance into Bulgaria, perhaps a future article for the magazine!