1/1st South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company
The South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company was raised at Chelmsford in Essex in December 1914 by transferring 15-20 men each from the twelve infantry battalions of the South Midland Division (later known as the 48th (South Midland) Division). It came under command of divisional headquarters and was initially attached for 8 days of instruction under the 8th (Cyclist) Battalion of the Essex Regiment. On 18 January 1915 it went to billets at Great Totham and remained in training, with occasional road patrols on defence of the Essex coast, until 30 March 1915 when it moved by train from Chelmsford to Southampton, where it embarked for sailing to Le Havre in France. Its war diary covers events up to 14 May 1916 when it ceased to be a divisional cyclist company.
Because of its place in the organisation, it was often also known as the 48th Divisional Cyclist Company.
On 14 May 1916 the company was absorbed into VIII Corps Cyclist Battalion, along with the 29th and 31st Divisional Cyclist Companies. The story from that point onwards can be followed in that unit’s war diary.
2/1st South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company
A reserve company began to be formed at Gloucester on 29 January 1915 for the new 2nd South Midland Division (later known was the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division). Between 30 June and 2 July 1915, it relocated to Wickford in Essex. It only took in men who had agreed the “Imperial Service Obligation”. On 12 January 1916 it began to relocate to Burnham-on-Crouch. The company has a war diary but it only covers up to this date.
Because of its place in the organisation, it was often also known as the 61st Divisional Cyclist Company.
The company went to France with the division, going from Southampton to Le Havre on 24-25 May 1916. On 23 June 1916 it was broken up, with some of the men being posted to 48th Infantry Base Depot (from which they were soon transferred to the 2/4th Goucestershire Regiment) and the rest being incorporated into a Reserve Corps Cyclist Battalion.
3/1st South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company
A third-line company was raised at Gloucester. It sent its first draft of trained men to join the 48th Divisional Cyclist Company in France on 17 September 1915.