2014 - 100 years from the Great War

Apologies if this is something that has already been considered and discounted but next year will undoubtedly see events (and presumably public & press interest) marking 100 years since the start of the Great War and as a bit of a WW1 nerd (I'm not sure 'enthusiast' seems an appropriate word) I've had a bit of read around and found the following:

Although each regiment / service had its own communications and signals sections a specialist 'Army Cycle Corps' was formed and consisted of just 4 specialist 'cycle battalions', one of which was the 'Hunts Cycles', with different companies from 'St Neots & Kimbolton - D Co', 'St Ives & Somersham - C Co', 'Huntingdon & Godmanchester - A & B Cos' and four from the P'boro area - with the others being 1 from Kent and 2 from Scotland. Given that our website informs me the club stopped during the Great War I'm sure there must be a crossover between former members and volunteers for the Hunts Cycles. Initially serving as communications for gun batteries on the east coast, the Hunts Cycles did end up going to France & Belgium and were at many of the 'big' battles from 1916 onwards.

As such, two things occurred to me: Should we be doing something to remember those from our club who served, particularly given the fairly specialised (no pun intended) nature of the Hunts Cycles; and would this open the door to links / events with other clubs representing the other local companies or places the Hunts Cycles served / were stationed.

I have no idea if any other 'Army Cycle Corps' events are planned or if there is a reserve of 'period' uniforms & equipment that could be borrowed for recreation purposes but I'm sure thats the sort of thing that could make any events very 'media friendly'.

Even if its not felt that its something that we should be 'celebrating', could I ask that (assuming we don't already) that we find a few quid come November for a wreath from 'us' to 'them' to mark the centenary. Equally, should anyone want to look at things in more detail I'll be happy to help

Simon

Interesting. Do you know which part of Kent? As that's where I originally come from. I'd expect Ashford, Maidstone or Canterbury though Medway towns is always a possible (stolen bikes )

not celebration, but definitely commemorating, paying tribute to, respecting, and I'm sure many other apt words.

I completely agree that it would be entirely appropriate for us to do something to mark what they've done for us.

would also be worth doing something for armed services day, rather than just remembrance Sunday?? some kind of fund raiser??

+1.... I think it's a great idea.

Alister as far as I know was compiling a club history so this might be of interest to him.

a bit of a 'bump' for something I'd like to raise at the forthcoming AGM

With generally positive responses from when this was first mentioned earlier in the year I've been doing a bit of research and made contact with the main (and in fairness probably the only) archivist of the Hunts Cycles and have also liaised with the Museum about their centenary plans.

In order to be able to keep going and hopefully to be able to work with these other interested parties towards getting things organised for next year do we have anything in the way of old club archives which we might be able to use to discover which of our predecessors 'answered the call' and how / where they served, whether they made it through unscathed or where they might have fallen.

Any help, ideas or assistance will be much appreciated!

cheers

Simon

I believe Alistair H has the old club newsletters/archive and would be the person to contact.

no gels, energy bars or electrolyte solutions when refuelling Great War style