Thursday 13 August 1914

It was reported today that applications for Dispatch Riders at Fulham House in Putney exceeded vacancies by 2,000.


The Metropolitan police will require about 50 motorcyclists to act as mobile Special Constables in the London Area.

Sunday 9 August 1914

In Chatham the motorcycles have now arrived and are being unpacked by the riders under training. One pens a letter to say how exciting it is to be able to choose his own brand new motorcycle.

Saturday 8 August 1914

It is all very exciting and large numbers of motorcyclists are still coming forward to volunteer as dispatch riders. Their chance to challenge themselves and their bikes against challenging roads. A free trip across the channel in the summer sunshine, help our boys give the bad guys a bloody nose and return home before Christmas. What an adventure.

Friday 7 August 1914

The first of the British Expeditionary Force land in France and begin to make their way to Belgium. Meanwhile in Chatham the first of the motorcyclists have arrived at the HQ of the Royal Engineers. They are given basic training and provided with Uniforms. 

Most had their own bikes which were now the property of the War Office. The riders will have received a nice little bonus of payment for their bikes, but none of them would last very long in the f
harsh conditions. Those without bikes would have to wait for a shipment to arrive to the Railway Station.

Thursday 6 August 1914

The representatives of The Motor Cycle Magazine who went over to France last Thursday  in connection with the International Six Days Trial were reported to have  ‘had a most interesting if not exciting trip.’

After the announcement of the postponement of the International six day trial the members of the party decided that they should return to England immediately. This is how the story of their return journey was reported:

 A start was made on Sunday morning on the 500 mile trip to Havre, the party having decided not to lose a moment. Railway crossings, of which there are a large number in France, as well as the bridges, were guarded by gendarmes, and the car was pulled up on many occasions and the occupants interrogated as to their nationality and as to the nature of the baggage, the presence of explosives being feared.

We had taken the precaution to display the emblems of the Entente Cordiale on the car and many times they were recognised and enthusiastically cheered. The increased vigilance of the authorities, however, impressed upon the party the extremely serious nature of their position, and the probability of being cut off in France should the Channel service be stopped, which it was anticipated would be the case.

 At Decize, where the party dined, it was resolved to continue throughout the night by changing drivers and relying upon the Michelin Guide and Baedeker for the route. Splendid progress was made, and, curious to relate, during the night only once was the party challenged by a sentry. As dawn broke cart loads of reservists from the county were encountered on their way to the mobilizing centres, and twenty-four hours after the start the distance recorded was 415 miles. But our petrol supply was now becoming exhausted, and many times our requests for replenishments were met with a shake of the head.

 At Dreux, however, our luck was in, and once again we laid in a good store. How thankful we were that the French roads were so straight ! Speed was quickened as daylight improved, but now another trouble threatened the party, which, of course, was absolutely reliant upon the car to see them safely through.  It was feared that the ferry across the Loire at Quillebeuf would be suspended, which fear was later discovered to be a well timed one, and the route consequently changed to the longer stage via Evreux and Rouen. Occasionally we were able to pick up scraps of war news, but the alarmist reports were in the main proved later to be unfounded, but they served to increase our determination to go through to Havre to avoid risk. The sentries were not so much in evidence as the frontier was left behind, but the military preparations were by no means relaxed. Havre' came in sight at last after twenty-seven hours continuous running.

 It was generally believed that Wednesday night's boat would be the last across for some time, and, consequently, we fear that the remainder of the British party may be subjected to great inconvenience, as nothing had been heard of them when we left Havre. The boat on which the writer sailed was stopped in the Channel on Wednesday morning while a torpedo Boat encircled her; a pilot was taken aboard off South-sea to navigate the boat by a roundabout route (it was said and believed to avoid the mines), and after many delays in the Customs at Southampton, the train due at Waterloo at 9 a.m. got there at 3 p.m., and there was not a single traveller who was not heartily glad to set foot on English soil again.

Tuesday 4 August 1914

War Office Library copy of the Mobilisation Regulations updated for 1914 

 

 

Britain declares war on Germany after they refuse to withdraw from Belgium. Mobilisation begins and many motorcyclists are trapped in Europe having travelled for the International Six Day Trial due to start yesterday.

 

Back home Mobilisation begins according to a predefined plan. Motorcyclists rush to their nearest recruitment centre to sign up as Dispatch Riders whilst others are recalled to their military HQs.

Tuesday 28 July 1914

The motorcycling world was beginning to get excited about the International Six Days Trial due to start from Grenoble, on Monday 3 August. The motorcycling press had printed details of the route  and lists of entrants including Sunbeam Rider Vernon Busby. 

Although Busby did not know it, he was to be going to Europe on his Sunbeam as a dispatch rider.

This was the International Trial that never took place.

Tuesday 21 July 1914

The complex set of circumstances in Europe were beginning to unfold. Germany was reported to have begun mobilisation.

If you know a motorcycle related fact for 21 July 1914 let us know at: warbike@fenlandclassics.co.uk

Thursday 16 July 1914

A TOP SECRET document: Military Embarkation Duties contained instructions for how to transport and load thousands of troops onto ships at designated ports. Meanwhile it was business as usual at  ports such as Southampton.

Tuesday 14 July 1914

The Regulations for mobilization had been updated and were once again sitting on shelves gathering dust. No hint yet that they were going to be needed.