The Highland Cyclist Battalion was one of several cyclist corps within the British Army. With origins dating back to 1860, as part of the Volunteer Force and offering an alternative means of transport to the horse, it became an independent unit in 1908. During the Great War three Highland Cyclist Battalions were deployed. At the outbreak of war in August 1914 the First Battalion was headquartered at Hunter Street Drill Hall in Kirkcaldy. There were eight companies within the First Battalion:
More than one of these companies spent time stationed at Lundin Links, training and performing coastal guard duty. One of the HCB that spent time at Lundin Links was Private Douglas J. Thomson of Kirkcaldy. Having joined the HCB in May 1914, Douglas was called to report to the Drill Hall no later than 10:00 on 5 August 1914, the day after war was declared. Part of 'A' Company, after a spell in St Andrews, Douglas was based in Lundin Links and he can be seen on the right in the photograph below practising his camping cooking skills in the front garden of 'Fir Park' (5 Crescent Road). Neighbouring property 'Braddan' (7 Crescent Road) is identifiable in the background. Douglas was eventually posted to the Machine Gun Corps and went to the Western Front while still in his teens. You can read more about his wartime experiences and later life here.
- A Company – Kirkcaldy
- B Company – Cowie
- C Company – Tayport
- D Company – Forfar
- E Company – Dunfermline
- F Company – New Scone
- G Company – East Wemyss
- H Company – Bannockburn
More than one of these companies spent time stationed at Lundin Links, training and performing coastal guard duty. One of the HCB that spent time at Lundin Links was Private Douglas J. Thomson of Kirkcaldy. Having joined the HCB in May 1914, Douglas was called to report to the Drill Hall no later than 10:00 on 5 August 1914, the day after war was declared. Part of 'A' Company, after a spell in St Andrews, Douglas was based in Lundin Links and he can be seen on the right in the photograph below practising his camping cooking skills in the front garden of 'Fir Park' (5 Crescent Road). Neighbouring property 'Braddan' (7 Crescent Road) is identifiable in the background. Douglas was eventually posted to the Machine Gun Corps and went to the Western Front while still in his teens. You can read more about his wartime experiences and later life here.
We know that 'A' Company were in Lundin Links in October 1914 as the Fife Free Press reported (above) that a concert they had put on in the village raised over six pounds for the Belgian Relief Fund led by Captain Robert Lockhart.
'B' Company of the HCB also spent time at Lundin Links. The photograph of them below accompanied an article in The Stirling Observer of 15 June 1915. The report said of the HCB that "the different companies of which it consists are scattered all along the East Coast of Scotland, where they have proved to be very serviceable". The group pictured below are No. 1 Platoon of 'B' company, who were stationed at Lundin Links - where, according to the article they were "having a pleasant experience".
As well as their training and duties, the men stationed at Lundin Links enjoyed some leisure time. The club house of the Lundin Ladies Golf Club was used by the HCB as a recreation and reading room. They reputedly also played football on the course. The HCB's time in Lundin Links was not without incident though - more of that in the next post.
'B' Company of the HCB also spent time at Lundin Links. The photograph of them below accompanied an article in The Stirling Observer of 15 June 1915. The report said of the HCB that "the different companies of which it consists are scattered all along the East Coast of Scotland, where they have proved to be very serviceable". The group pictured below are No. 1 Platoon of 'B' company, who were stationed at Lundin Links - where, according to the article they were "having a pleasant experience".
As well as their training and duties, the men stationed at Lundin Links enjoyed some leisure time. The club house of the Lundin Ladies Golf Club was used by the HCB as a recreation and reading room. They reputedly also played football on the course. The HCB's time in Lundin Links was not without incident though - more of that in the next post.
With thanks to Donald Adamson (grandson of Douglas Thomson) for information, photograph taken at Fir Park and image of HCB recruitment poster. For more information visit:
www.donald-adamson.co.uk/family-history/the-great-war/
www.donald-adamson.co.uk/family-history/the-great-war/
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