In 1885 John Kemp Starley’s revolutionary two-wheeled safety bicycles’ military potential was quickly recognised, leading armies worldwide to explore its versatility for tasks like communication, reconnaissance and transportation.
As early as 1886 the French Army employed cyclists as despatch riders and it was the British army who in 1888 established the London Regiment as the world’s very first cyclist battalion. Over the next four decades specialist cyclist units gradually became a prominent component in the armed forces of most countries.
The BSA Company (Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited) was a prominent industrial combine involved in manufacturing military and sporting firearms, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, buses and coachwork along with castings and tools.
BSA had been supplying bicycles to the Irish army since 1922. In 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War the Irish army ordered a special batch of heavy-duty army bicycles from BSA.
These military-spec bicycles were given a different series of frame numbers for the Irish order, along with a tool kit, hand pump, military grade Dunlop tyres, heavy duty chain and mudguards and larger pedals designed to fit army boots.
The Irish army specification bicycle was fitted with a mounting near the pedals to hold a rifle stock, while the barrel of the rifle was held in place by a U-shaped fitting and leather strap at the headstock.
John Furlong, who has appeared previously on Ireland Made video stories with his WW2 DUKW and Dodge Weapons Carrier, bought his 1942 Irish Army BSA bicycle in 2014 and completed a full restoration by 2015. John has been on several long cycles across Ireland on his trusty BSA.
The Irish Army later placed an order with BSA for their 500cc side-valve M20 motorcycles – more about this story in an upcoming episode.
Information sources:
British Pathé
Maynooth History
The Online Bicycle Museum
