From a local paper dated the 20/3/14 - article about the formation of the HCB and the part F. N. Butler played in its initial setup.

Huntingdonshire. 

The New Hunts Battalion.

 Since the formation of the Territorial Force as an effective branch of the British Army serving under his Majesty George of V., and the merging of the Hunts. Volunteer Battalion into the Regiment of a neighboring county, the inhabitants of Huntingdonshire have felt justifiably aggrieved at thus practically loosing their identity as a unit of force reared and fostered within its own borders. Now happily, at last, a sense of injustice has been removed, and the county has once again an opportunity of testifying to its usefulness and loyalty by the formation of a Battalion of a wheelmen, who undoubtedly will act up to the noble and historic traditions which have made the county a notable figure in the history of our native of land.

As the meetings of the Hunts. Territorial Association are not open to the public, nor do I remember ever seeing a representative of the Press present, which I am sure is to be regretted, I have been requested to review the events which have led to the consummation of such a desirable issue.

The idea of forming a Cyclist Battalion for the county was brought before the Association in March of last year, primarily the effect of a casual conversation between Major de Winton, Brigadier General, Eastern Command, and Captain Cook, which led to another informal conversation between the Brigadier General, Colonel Linton, and Lieutenant Colonel Butler, the subject matter of which was reported to the meeting. After some discussion it was decided to call a special meeting of the Association to consider the advantage and advisability of raising a Cyclist Battalion, the members deemed it of vital importance to the county that no unavoidable delay should impede the progress of the suggestion, but that every facility ought to be afforded to bring the matter to a practical an early conclusion.

 Consequently a few weeks later this meeting was held, when Major Herbert and Captain Cook were instructed to draft and forward a letter to the War Office asking for authority to raise a Cyclist Battalion in Hunts.

 The reply to this communication was received towards the middle of May, in which the Army Council expresses their thanks for the offer, but regretted that they were at present unable to avail themselves of the proposal, but would bear it in mind in the event of a further cyclist battalions being required.

 This reply was considered at the meeting held in July. It did not, however, daunt the Association. Various representations were made to Colonel De Winton, who sent a letter to the secretary of the Association, in which he spoke very favorably of the proposal, suggesting that the matter should be kept the front and a second communication be sent to the War Office a little later.

In the meantime the Bedfordshire Association were invited to take over the responsibility of raising two more infantry companies in order to leave Hunts.  a free field to ensure the complete success of their new unit, should it be sanctioned.

 The Hunts Association desire to record their grateful thanks to Mr. John Cator, MP, or for South Hunts., who was good enough to have several interviews with Colonel Seely, Secretary of State for War, in consequence of which we were requested to furnish the War Office with more particulars. Accordingly, at the meeting held early in September, it was decided to send further information by submitting certain correspondence to the War Office, including a copy of the letter which had been received in July from Colonel De Winton, and also to ask that the War Office would receive a deputation from the Hunts.  Association upon the subject of the proposed Cyclist Battalion.

 In consequence of these various negotiations, which were so energetically conducted, as well as by the unfailing persistence of Major Herbert and Captain Cook, admirably supported by the Association, another communication was received from the War Office, intimating that they were now willing to accept the offer of the county, providing the Beds. Association would undertake to raise the two infantry companies now raised in the county of Huntingdonshire.

The difficulties now seemed all but swept away and the meeting in November appointed to prospective officers a committee to draw up a scheme for the raising of the cyclist battalion.

 The Beds. Association, at the same time, received a similar letter, and about a fortnight later they wired a request that the final decision on the requirement that they should undertake the raising of the two companies postponed for eight months.

 This was considered most undesirable and might have or rendered our efforts of no avail, so a resolution was passed expressing strong disapproval of this delay seeming that officers and men throughout the county were waiting for enlistment, but in order to meet the wishes of the Beds. Association, the Hunts. Association were prepared to continue to support the two infantry companies pending a decision as well as to raise the cyclist battalion, and would undertake to accept no transfers from the men of the present companies, excepting time expired-men, until after the next annual training. Copies of this important decision were sent the War Office, Col. De Winton, Lieutenant Colonel Butler and the Secretary of the Beds.  Association.

 This action bore fruit in the shape of a letter from the War Office arranging a conference on the subject, the Beds.  Association being represented by Lord Ampthill and the Hunt. Association by Captain Cook, when a long discussion took place with Major General Bethune, Director General of the Territorial Force. It eventually transpired that on the very morning the Hunts.  Association met in January of this year a letter arrived containing provisional authority for raising of the new Battalion, the names suggested being the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion, with a request that a report should be forwarded as soon as possible, with the number of recruits likely to enlist and a nominal role of officers of for the new unit, whereupon the secretary was instructed to inform the War Office that we were quite certain that the requisite number could be raised, and also that twelve the gentleman had already intimated their desire to be appointed officers.

 The Hunts. Association also desire to acknowledge their appreciation of the generous spirit of the Beds.  Association, evidenced by their letter in December, saying that our proposal was entirely agreeable to them and expressing their cordial thanks for members their wishes in so handsome a manner. Shortly afterwards the announcement that the new unit of the Hunts.  Cyclist Battalion had been sanctioned appeared in the Gazette. The companies were to be distributed as follows-

Huntingdon and Godmanchester 2 companies, St. Ives and Somersham 1 company, St. Neots and Kimbolton 1 company, Ramsey and Warboys 1 company, Fletton and Yaxley 3 companies.

The following names were submitted to the War Office for approval:- Honorary Colonel Right Hon. the Earl of Sandwich; Senior Officer in command, Major E. R. Herbert, Second Officer in Command, Captain Cook.

 The County will, I trust consider this result highly satisfactory, that within twelve months, through the steady perseverance and the unremitting attention of the Territorial Force Association, coupled with the indefatigable labour and untiring zeal of Major Herbert and Captain Cook, the county of Huntingdonshire has now it own Territorial unit, under its own name, and bearing its own responsibility.

May I, in conclusion, express the earnest hope that, as these efforts have been made so willing would to the end generously the young men of the County will be as enthusiastic in support of their new battalion. Only so can they adequately reward these endeavors by rallying round the officers in good numbers, thus providing once again that the little county will not shirk its responsibilities, but will provide an effective branch of his most His Majesty's Forces and will be worthy of the confidence the Army Council and the Empire have placed in them. Finally, may the County "Wiresides" become as effective in days to come as were Cromwell's "Ironsides" in days gone by, though we trust the time may be long distance ere the stern of necessity arises.

Article by T. Coxon.

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From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated May 1915 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., 5 Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdon Territorial Force Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated April 1915 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., 5 Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdon Territorial Force Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated October 1914 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., 5 Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdon Territorial Force Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated March 1915 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., 5 Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdon Territorial Force Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated February 1915 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., 5 Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdon Territorial Force Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated February 1918 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., 5 Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdon Territorial Force Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated October 1918 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., 5 Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdon Territorial Force Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated 1928 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., late T. A.. Reserve. held the position of Chairman with the Huntingdon Army Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated 1928 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., late T. A.. Reserve. held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdon Army Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated 1931 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., late T. A.. Reserve. held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdonshire Territorial Army Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated 1924 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., late T. A.. Reserve. held the position of Vice Chairman with the Huntingdonshire Territorial Army Association.

 From an entry in the Kelly directory of Huntingdon dated 1924 Butler - F. N., Lt. Col., late T. A.. Reserve. held the position of Military Member with the Huntingdonshire Territorial Army Association. 

WO 95 1570 1^st Bat Beds Regt. September 1916 war diaries 15^th Brigade 5^th Division - 14^th Sept. 1916 Lt. Col. Butler 1/5^th Beds.  Regt. attached temporary for instruction - 22^nd Sept. 1916 the 14th R. Worc. relieved them. Regt. - Officers that joined during Sept. 1916 = Lt. Col. F. N. Butler 1^st Beds. Regt. Temp. appointed on 14^th September 1916.