On the outbreak of the First World War the cyclist battalions were employed on Coastal Defences in the United Kingdom. Their role was considered to be so important that, initially, none of them were sent overseas. In 1915, the Army Cyclist Corps was founded to encompass these battalions. They were not deployed as organised combat formations, when cyclists were employed in combat, in conditions of trench warfare they were generally found to be ineffective. The bicycle was used for reconnaissance and communications work, being lighter, quieter, and logistically much easier to support than horses.
The 6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was disbanded in December 1919 and not re-formed
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My grandfather was in the cyclist battalion in charge of the coastal defence around Brighton and had to blow up various features like the remains of the Daddy Long Legs pier. The battalions went on to Egypt from where they marched over the desert to Palestine and after the battles of Gaza , went on to capture Jerusalem.
Sorry please edit previous comment, having checked with mother who remembers it personally : my grandfather thanks to his experience in coastal defence with the cycle battalion in WW1 was put in charge of blowing holes in both the palace and west pier in WW2. It was something he hated doing.
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