I am in the early stages of researching the military service of three of my father's first cousins who served in the Australian Imperial Force during World War I. One of these men first served in the Australian 4th Light Horse and then was transferred to the 1st ANZAC Cyclist Battalion in 1916. I am having difficulty locating any information about the activities of the ANZAC Cyclist Battalions. I have found one small page on the internet which implies that "the unit was a complete failure" which "never served in the front line as a fighting unit". Since my ancestor who served in the 1st Cyclist Battlion, according to his AIF service record, continued to serve in France until February 1919, I am curious about the nature of the duties in which he would have been involved. There is no description on his service record of his activities from the date of his posting to the Reorganized 1st Cyclist Battalion on 9 July 1916 to 15 September 1917. His record indicates that in September 1917 he was "attached to A Coy for police duty", following which he "rejoined Leicester Regt (Pioneers)". The only Leicester Regiment that I can find was within the British Army (not the AIF). I would like to learn more about the activities of the 1st Cyclist Battalion, as well as the transfer of its members to other units. Can someone please direct me to some detailed source of information (either in print or on the internet) about the 1st Cyclist Battalion? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Sandy Gratton

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-a-l-horse/cyclist.htm will a little bit of help ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lawrence MacIsaac" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 12:52 AM Subject: ANZAC Cyclist Battalions WWI > I am in the early stages of researching the military service of three of my > father's first cousins who served in the Australian Imperial Force during > World War I. One of these men first served in the Australian 4th Light > Horse and then was transferred to the 1st ANZAC Cyclist Battalion in 1916. > I am having difficulty locating any information about the activities of the > ANZAC Cyclist Battalions. I have found one small page on the internet which > implies that "the unit was a complete failure" which "never served in the > front line as a fighting unit". > > Since my ancestor who served in the 1st Cyclist Battlion, according to his > AIF service record, continued to serve in France until February 1919, I am > curious about the nature of the duties in which he would have been involved. > There is no description on his service record of his activities from the > date of his posting to the Reorganized 1st Cyclist Battalion on 9 July 1916 > to 15 September 1917. His record indicates that in September 1917 he was > "attached to A Coy for police duty", following which he "rejoined Leicester > Regt (Pioneers)". The only Leicester Regiment that I can find was within > the British Army (not the AIF). > > I would like to learn more about the activities of the 1st Cyclist > Battalion, as well as the transfer of its members to other units. Can > someone please direct me to some detailed source of information (either in > print or on the internet) about the 1st Cyclist Battalion? Any help will be > greatly appreciated. > > Sandy Gratton >