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Thanks for sharing these, EFV.

I agree absolutely on the synchronisation needed - especially as these are not freewheel so all would have to continue pedalling permanently. Not sure Id be confident in that stretcher.
The foldable was obviously ahead of its time !

Appreciate you unearthing these - and the continued demonstration of the extent to which our ancestors were experimenting with the use of the bicycle.

Thanks again for sharing.

Many thanks for posting these interesting images. Not sure I would have liked to have attempted concealment with the folding contraption on my back!lol!

Continuing on the theme of cyclists my original post made the case that cyclists were far more widespread in the ABW than perhaps previously thought.

I've recently read the book ' Rhodesia served the queen : Rhodesian Forces in the Boer war' by AS Hickman that adds the Southern Rhodesian Volunteers cyclists unit to the growing list and - also gives insight into their extensive use in the drive to Mafeking.

'Charles Duly, who pioneered the use of bicycles in Rhodesia cycling in 10 days from Johannesburg to Bulawayo in 1894. Seeing the potential for this form of transport in the development of Matabeleland, he opened a cycle-shop in Abercorn Street, Bulawayo and at the same time took a keen interest in cycle-racing on the King's Ground cycle-track for which he became a champion. His talents were to be put to good use in the Matabele Rising of 1896 when he served as a dispatch-rider, and he was joint founder, with Capt. D. J. Dollar of the Cycle Corps of the Southern Rhodesian Volunteers.


In The Times History of the War in South Africa adds ' the Rhodesian Volunteers Cyclist Corps, organised under Lieut. Duly by Lieut.-Col. Holdsworth, did excellent and often perilous work in keeping up communications with distant camps."

"One of Charles Duly's personal exploits was a journey from Rustenburg to Pretoria and back, carrying dispatches through the Boer lines at night. With papers hidden in the tubes of his bicycle, he wheeled the machine past the sleeping enemy, and evaded wakeful dogs by riding through rivers and pools of putrid water, to throw them off the scent. Safely over one pool, he heard pickets on the other side shouting: 'It must have been a buck!' For three hours he lay hidden in mosquito-ridden reeds. When he reached Pretoria his story made such an impression that Lord Roberts sent for him personally. Seeing the state of Lieut. Duly's clothes, the Commander-in-Chief of the British troops insisted that he should have his uniform washed and cleaned, and stay in bed for a few days.

"For the ride from Rustenburg to Pretoria Duly was mentioned in dispatches in a General Brigade Order, but a more personal memento of the adventure exists today. It became known in Britain that the bicycle he used was a Raleigh and the manufacturers sent him a gold medallion

Albert Gould, who was also mentioned for gallant conduct called up with "E" Squadron of the Southern Rhodesian Volunteers (Cyclists) in October, 1899. His unit was issued with Lee-Enfield rifles and Mauser pistols "which are affixed to our bikes where the lamp-brackets are, and we can take it out in a second and fire 10 rounds in no time."

"D" Squadron of the S.R.V. and six of the cyclists were sent south to Mochudi, and took part in the raid on Derdepoort :

"About 100 of us, I included, were going to give them a surprise last night, but the rain came on terrific during the night so that rivers were impassable for our bikes, there being six cyclists, and the rest horsemen, so that we had orders to return to camp dripping wet, where we soon dried out our clothes." "I wonder what the Boers would think if they knew that the cyclist scouts were watching them at all hours of the day and night not a thousand yards from their outposts through field-glasses. I don't think they could do the same to our camp, as there is too much of a look-out"

"I have done a lot of scouting on my bicycle since I've been here. Three of us the other week had a hundred Dutchmen chasing us on the road, but they couldn't catch us. We (had) got up on a kopje overlooking their laager having a bird's-eye view and they happened to spot us, so we just broke the record for sprinting. .. I expect we'll have to shift the Boers out of Lobatsi. . .. Six of us cyclists followed their spoor for 20 miles (from Crocodile Pools); they had 30 women with them, and they were about 600 strong....

All of us cyclists, 18 all told, are attached to Col. B.-Powell Squadron.... There is a bit of jealousy going on as to which lot will get in first (to Mafeking), Col. Plumer's men from Kanye, or the armoured train and dismounted men; for myself I reckon the cyclists will steal a march on the lot of them if they get half a chance, punctures or no punctures! The worst enemy for our tyres being the wait-a-bit bush, having thorns about 3" sticking out of the sand. "

Gould in his letter of 12th August, 1900, from Commando Nek, 25 miles from Pretoria, "There are not so many of us cyclists left now; Law, Barratt, Beckenham, Webb and Pearson were all captured by the Boers between Rustenburg and Krugersdorp. They have captured four of our corps that were left at Eland's River, Mumford, Hendries, Saunders, and Morgan. There are only 10 of us left now, seven here and three in Zeerust. Isgar,
Masters, Atkinson, Perks, McDonald, Murray and myself with our Lieutenant (Duly)."

Of these cyclists, nine were captured, .Gould also lost his precious Raleigh bicycle in one of his encounters with the Boers.

Hickman states "There is no doubt that the cyclists of the S.R.V. performed splendid and vital service in Plumer's advance towards Mafeking, and subsequently in the Western Transvaal, during later months of the year 1900, particularly around Rustenburg. They faced many hazards of the road, and of the enemy, and were especially prone to malaria and dysentery from the nature of their assign-ments. Quite obviously they were relied on by senior officers, and earned their commendation on a number of occasions.

They were a new adjunct to the armed forces, and proved their worth in no uncertain manner.
Our cyclists of the Boer War deserve a special salute from those of us who follow after! "

Below : Cyclists of E troop of the SRV at Bulawayo ; Minchins law offices Mafeking used as BPs HQ with cyclist ready to carry orders.

I have encountered numerous cycle units; Cape Colony Cyclist Corps, Scottish Cyclist Corps, Welsh Cyclist Corps, English Composite Cyclist Corps, but this is the first reference to the SRV cyclist unit!