| 6th Cyclist Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1859—1921 |
| Country |
|
| Branch | |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Website | 6th Cyclist Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment |
The 6th Cyclist Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment was a cyclist infantry unit of the British Army. Although active during World War I, the regiment didn't see active service. While the regiment was based in England throughout the war, many members of the battalion did volunteer for overseas service under the Army Cyclist Corps. The battalion's predecessor was the 1st Sussex Rifle Corps formed in 1859, later the 1st Volunteer Battalion. Finally in 1921, the battalion was disbanded following the disbandment of the Territorial Force.
History[]
Rifle Corps[]
In 1859, following the Volunteer Force formation and expansion during the middle stages of the empire age. Upon formation the corps was named as the 1st Sussex Volunteer Corps based in Brighton. The next year, the corps were expanded to 5 companies strength. By October 1860, the corps was renamed as the 3rd Administrative Battalion The Sussex Rifle Volunteers.
In November 1861 the battalion was reorganised with the 16th and 19th Corps moving to the 1st Administrative Battalion The Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteers. In 1863 the battalion was majorly expanded with the following happening:
- Battalion renamed as the 1st Sussex Rifle Volunteer Corps
- 1st Corps became independent
- 2nd and 4th Corps moved to 1st Administrative Battalion The Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteers
- 5th Corps moved to 2nd Administrative Battalion The Sussex Rifle Volunteers
In 1881, following the Childers Reforms, the corps were renamed as the 3rd Volunteer Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment, along with this rename, the battalion was consolidated in Brighton. In 1886, G and H Companies were formed and by 1887 was renamed as the 1st Volunteer Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment. In 1900, I Company was raised and the Brighton College Cadet Corps were affiliated with the battalion. In 1904 and 1905 the Cadet Corps from Christ's Hospital and Cottesmore School were affiliated respectively. By 1911 the battalion was renamed and reorganised as the 6th Cyclist Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment. Just before mobilisation for World War I, the battalion was under control of the Eastern Command directly and based at 18 Montpelier Place, Brighton.
Just before mobilisation, the battalion had the following structure;
- Battalion Headquarters at 18 Montpelier Place, Brighton
- A and B Companies in Brighton
- C Company in Brighton and Portslade
- D Company in Brighton
- E—H Companies in Lewes
World War I[]
1/6th Battalion
Upon mobilisation, the 6th battalion was divided then expanded forming the 1/6th battalion and it's duplicate, the 2/6th battalion. The battalion was based in brighton and moved to Norfolk where it joined the 1st Mounted Division. In July 1916 the battalion moved to St Leonards assigned to the General Reserve. By March 1917 they moved to Folkestone then Wingham and reassigned to the 1st Mounted Division. By early 1918 they moved to Tralee, Ireland assigned to the 6th Cyclist Brigade and then stationed in Limerick by the end of the war.[1][2]
2/6th Battalion
Upon formation in November 1914 the battalion was based in Brighton then moved to Bedford where they were assigned to the 58th (2/1st London) Division and moved to Chisledon.[1] By February 1916 the battalion along with others were converted to infantry and joined into a brigade with the following other units:[1]
- 9th Cyclist Battalion The Hampshire Regiment
- 25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion
- 1st Battalion The Kent Regiment
In April the battalion embarked for India from Devonport. By October 1918 the battalion moved to Vladivostock in Far Eastern Siberia. The battalion assisted the White Army against the Bolshevik Army. By 1919 the battalion returned to England (via Canada) where they were disbanded upon arrival.[1][3][2]
3/6th Battalion
The 3/6th Battalion was formed in 1916 and based in Purfleet. Almost immediately upon formation, the battalion was absorbed into the 4th (Reserve) Battalion.[1][2][3]
After[]
After the end of the war, the 1/6th was disbanded. Following their return from Russia, the 2/6th battalion was redesignated as the 6th Battalion and disbanded in 1921.[1][2][3]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Royal Sussex Regiment - Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives." Discover The Military Ancestor In Your Family With Forces War Records, www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/2022/royal-sussex-regiment.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Royal Sussex Regiment." www.warpath.orbat.com/regts/r_sussex_regt.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Royal Sussex Regiment." Royal Sussex Regiment - The Long Long Trail, www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/royal-sussex-regiment/.
Sources[]
- "1st Sussex Rifle Volunteers [UK." 6th (Cyclist) Battlion, The Royal Sussex Regiment [1st Volunteer Battalion], www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/sx-1.htm.]