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Archiver > BOER-WAR > 2002-01 > 1012279484


From: Phillip MURPHY <>
Subject: Re: [BOER-WAR] Re: Bike Riders in Boer War
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 02 14:44:44 +1000


>Deidre Snook said in the BOER-WAR List re Bike riders in the Boer War:
>
>Allan Fogg's online book about the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen says:
>
>... the Fifth Contingent became the first, and only, Australian Force to
>have with it a detachment of cyclists.
>They were enthusiastic but not very successful on their bicycles ...
>
>Colin Roe

The actual records are brief, as was the cyclist's tenure -
"At Piet relief on 10th, where the Cyclist company. having proved
unsuitable, were all mounted (except six) with horses of the 4th
Contingent, which was returning home."
The date referred to is 10 May. The Fifth Contingent arrived at Post
Elizabeth on 1 April, and commenced operations on 14 April, so they
operated for about a month.
Other details
"Cyclist Company - 2 subalterns, 1 colour sergeant, 2 sergeants, 2
artificers, 2 corporals, 42 privates (including 2 batmen); total, 2
officers, 3 sergeants, 2 artificers, 44 rank and file; total 51. Spare
horse,1."
Another note -
"Each of the officers (except those of the Cyclist company) took 2
private horses."
There is no record of any cycles leaving AUSTRALIA with the contingent.
The various horses etc. are recorded, so it may be surmised that they
were issued the cycles in SOUTH AFRICA.

Best Wishes
Phillip MURPHY

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