Photo from Steve Farrant.
The 1/1st. Hunts Cyclist Battalion Band.
This photo appeared in a local newspaper dated
14th August 1915.
They were also used as stretcher-bearers, see photo in Filey, but later on were used to carry out full soldiers duties.
Photo from Steve Farrant.
The 1/1st Hunts Cyclist Battalion Band in their other job as trained stretcher bearers for the Battalion. The emblem on their right arms indicate that they were all part of the Battalion band.
Extract from Camp diary - Tuesday 14th July 1914. = The weather continues ideal, and every detail of camp work is in order. The food is even improving, while the work, though very thorough, is by no means heavy. The band played in the camp on Monday night, and Bandmaster Hackney's "Company" is daily improving. Amongst other music they have mastered is the newly adopted Regimental March " A' Hunting We Will Go" a happy selection on someone's part. In spite of the heat, inter - Company football matches seem popular.
Extract from Camp diary - Saturday 18th July 1914. = The Yaxley Company's Band played "selections" during the afternoon. They collected and got something, but not all that they deserved. Someone is credited to having given the command "Whoa ! Right twist" - I won't say that the rumour is true.
Extract from Camp diary - Sunday 19th July 1914. = The first parade was for Church service, which was conducted by the Chaplain (the Rev. K. D. Knowles R.D. rector of Brampton). He preached a very practical sermon on manliness. The singing of the hymns was led by the band, under Bandmaster Hackney. It may be observed here that the Fletton musicians have improved immensely in their primary work, to say nothing of their gaining proficiency in rifle cleaning and ambulance duties. To return to the service - the concluding voluntary was " A' hunting we will go."
Photo from Steve Farrant - other sources were also provided.
'Are We Downhearted' The date and location of the
photo is not known.
Photo from Steve Farrant.
The Hunts Cyclist Battalion Band. The date and location of the photo is not known.
The regimental march was ' A hunting we will go' - bugles were made by 'Potter's and Boosey's and were copper with brass trims complete with dark green chords and tassels with braided gold in them. It is noted in the records that the officers of the 2/1st bought second hand instruments for their men in order that they could play at events whilst on the coast.
From a local newspaper dated 2/2/1916 - New Cyclist Officer. = Sergt. Bliss, of the Hunts. Cyclists has received a commission. He joined the 2nd Hunts. soon after the Battalion was formed, and was one of the first to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He organised the excellent band belonging to the Battalion, and had been almost popular N. C. O. with the men. Mr. Bliss was working for the Church army before he joined the Cyclists. He belongs to King's Ripton, where Mrs. Bliss holds the position of schoolmistress.
From a local newspaper dated 6/11/1915 - A company of the 3 rd Battalion, Hunts. Cyclists visited Facet last week. The men, despite the inclement weather, looked remarkably fit. Lt. McNish was the officer in command. The first Battalion band was in attendance under Bandmaster Sergt. J. K Hackney. The village was packed, and the tone and spirit of the band was excellent. A halt was called at the top of the village, where a box of apples and pears was distributed to the men by the kindness of the residents. The band afterwards journeyed to Peterborough and the other men to Huntingdon.
