Military Chat

I was shown a faded photograph of a soldier in fly Army Uniform standing to attention beside a pedal cycle he had a bag on his back also a shoulder bag there is a number 175 on the crossbar of his bike can anyone tell me his job might have been Many thanks Tom

? The Army Cyclist Corps - several mentions if you google. Various pictures too.

http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/army-cyclist-corps


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Cyclist_Corps

Most divisions had a company of cyclists (with a nominal strength of 250-300 all ranks). The did all sorts of jobs.

The Canadian Corps had a battalion of 3 coys of cyclists under its direct command (in addition to a coy with each of its 4 divs).

In April 1917, the Canadians launched a highly successful attack on Vimy rRdge, and went on to close up to the Hindenburg Line in front of Drocourt. Coys A & B of the Corps battalion were involved in prisoner escort duties and Coy C was in reserve as well a employed on road and railway construction and maintenance
The Canadan War Diaries are mostly online and free. In the April 1917, there's an appendix page describing coy C's month:
http://data2.archives.ca/e/e046/e001131470.jpg

In August 1918, the success at the battle of Amiens cracked the German army, and was the beginning of the relentless advances of the final 100 days.
The opening phase was an Anglo-French attack. The Brits attacked an hour or two before the French - both were successful, but this did open up a gap at the seem of the two armies. This gap was held by the Can Corps cyclist bn along with some cavalry and motorized MG units, who formed a flanking front line at right angles to the main line of advance - so it wasn't just rear area duties the cyclists did as this example illustrates.

PS - I'm thinking 175 was the machine's number, and not really connected to the rider (beyond being signed out to him).