Army Cyclist Corps Cap Badge

Army Cyclist Corps Cap Badge

Army Cyclist Corps Cap Badge

This cap badge of the Army Cyclist Corps with a Kings Crown, in brass, was issued between 1914 and 1919 

    • The corps was first raised in 1888
    • Invaluable for reconnaissance and communication work
    • The cycles were light, quiet, easy to maintain and unlike the horse, no feeding required..
    • Good distances over rough terrain could be achieved
Both sides in the Anglo Boer War used cyclists for communication and reconnaissance work. In fact the Boer scouting parties were so successful that that the British confiscated and controlled the use of bikes in occupied territory.
    • Cycles were widely used in WWI
    • The French and Belgians had 150,000 cycles in use
    • The British 100,000 and the Germans 125,000
    • Bikes were brought over for use with the Canadian forces
Intriguing Connections
  1. The development and mass production of the bicycle, had a huge impact on society. It quite literally gave people freedom, that they had not enjoyed  before and cycle clubs sprang up everywhere.  Cycle production, was an important industry in cities such as Coventry and because of that, it determined in part, it’s future manufacturing base.
  2. The effect of the bicycle on female emancipation should not be underestimated, the personal freedom and mobility made women believe that  anything was possible and the cycle became an emblem for female emancipation.
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