2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion

9th Reinforcements, 2nd ANZAC (Corps) Cyclist Battalion waiting to embark on the troopship RMS Omrah

Shoulder patch

Brief History

As a result of the AIF expansion and re-organisation in Egypt post Gallipoli, each of the 5 Australian Divisions had a Cyclist Company, each with six cyclist platoons totaling 204 men. Following their deployment to France they were used as Corps troops and so the 1st and 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalions were formed. Formed on 22 Jul 1918 in the Commune of Blasingham, the 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion was formed from the 1st and 2nd NZ Cyclist Companies and the 5th Australian Cyclist Company. Each Battalion had three companies and a headquarters unit. Each Company comprised three platoons, with battalion strength listed as 26 Officers and 310 Other Ranks.

Following the formation of the Australian Corps in 1917, the II ANZAC Corps became the XXII Corps. As a result, in March 1918 the 1st Cyclist Battalion was assigned to the Australian Corps, while the Australian personnel serving in the 2nd Cyclist Battalion were returned to other units of the AIF (mainly artillery and infantry) as reinforcements, Although the battalions were not used as fighting units, their personnel were regularly exposed to the dangers of artillery fire and attacks by hostile aircraft. However, cyclist detachments were used in the last stages of the war, as the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line

While the AWM site lists one Australian death for this unit, Wikipedia claim 59 deaths for the unit which was 50% New Zealanders.

Battalion Personnel

• John Harold Rupert Smith 9 Aug - 3 Nov 1916

Individual Honours

• 2 x Military Medal
• 1 x Mentioned in Despatches

Notes

For further detail on the contribution of Cyclist units, see:

• History of teh AIF/NZ Cyclist Corps 1916 - 1919, by Ron Austin