New book – Dreams and Realities

Based on a True Story

DREAMS AND REALITIES by Jonathan L. Trapman

Jonathan Trapman presents an epic journey within this heptalogy (series of 7) and dynastic tale taking its starting point from a true story his forebear initiated, some 230 years ago. An action changing the course of history.

Through the lens of seven individual journeys, truths, realities and all kinds of deception are revealed. The hero in each confronts the very tenet upon which humanity’s journey is mapped out upon.

Moving through time, space and beyond what we believe we know, clues as to what lies behind our existence and its purpose are discovered. The key, the quest of many, awaits a master locksmith on the road to freedom.

See the real life of Capt. Albert Henry William TRAPMANN / TRAPMAN  former Capt. / Adjutant with the 26th Middlesex and then the 25th London (Cyclists) Battalion.

Purchase the book

25th London Bn. on the BBC

This week the 25th County of London Cyclist Battalion featured on the BBC program “Inside the factory : Bicycles” (Series 2, no.4). At the 24 minute mark several photos from the 25th London Bn. website were used, including two in which my grandfather appeared, not surprisingly as they were from his photo album. The 25th Londons are also acknowledged in the end credits. This is one of the featured photographs, my grandfather the 5th from the right.

The show is still available to view for UK residents on the BBC iPlayer website at :-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07pmyd6/inside-the-factory-series-2-4-bicycles
It is also available to view on the BBC iPlayer apps for ipad & android (tablet & phone).

Apart from the short section on the use of bicycles in the military, the show as a whole is interesting  and worth watching.

 

Military Bicycles in the Great War

A new book has been published about Military Bicycles in the Great War. The author has included information gleaned from the 25th London Cyclist website, as well as the 1932 Londons book..

When World War I began, the bicycle was still fairly new—the big-wheeled pennyfarthing had only recently given way to the vastly more nimble and speedy safety bicycle, and while bicycles and bicycling were no longer the fad they had been in the 1890s, they were nonetheless still an indicator of up-to-date modern life. It’s thus no surprise that bicycles were quickly pressed into service at the outbreak of hostilities. At a moment when armies across Europe were still practicing cavalry charges with horses, and it was far from clear what role motorized transportation would play in the war, bicyclists were called upon to play a variety of roles by armies on both sides, including as messengers, scouts, and guides.

Bad Teeth No Bar, which takes its name from an advertisement asking cyclists to volunteer, is a beautifully illustrated appreciation of the role played by bicycles in the Great War. Full of color photographs of vintage bikes and their riders, illustrating accounts of their long-forgotten exploits, it illuminates a little-remembered aspect of the war and celebrates a set of unsung heroes. Perfect for vintage bicycle enthusiasts and military history buffs alike, Bad Teeth No Bar is a remarkable centennial celebration.

The book is available from booksellers including –
Amazon.uk
University of Chicago Press (US)
Booktopia (Australia)

Ride to the Somme

Ride to the Somme will commemorate the cycling soldiers that fought and fell during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 as they ride 250 miles over 3 days. The Ride will commence on Wednesday 31st August and will culminate at The Thiepval Memorial. When cyclists enlist for the ride they will be asked to select a battalion that they wish to represent.

It will be a fund raising ride for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is the UK’s oldest national tri-service charity. At the outbreak of World War One, the Government called on it to take care of the families of the Armed Forces going to the Front. Ride to the Somme is a fundraising event with money raised helping servicemen and women, veterans and their families in need following present day conflicts.

It is their intention to lay a wreaths at Pozieres and Thiepval. Serving and former soldiers of the 25th London Cyclists fought in France, by either being either attached to or by being formally transferred to other battalions.

25th London Cyclists I have recorded at Pozieres are –
Cecil Ernest HUMPHREYS
Harold Arthur PACKER
Thomas Augustus PARIS
Charles William RUSSELL
Percy Charles SOMERSET (buried at Lewisham from wounds at Pozieres)

25th London Cyclists I have recorded at Thiepval are –
John Owen ARMSTRONG
John DIVERS
Philip GLUCKMAN
George MATHER

For more information – http://www.ridetothesomme.org.uk/

The Battalion’s 1916 Christmas Card

Recently a new item surfaced on Ebay, the battalion’s 1916 Christmas card, which no doubt will be added to Russell’s collection. I thought initially the artist would be Edgard Phillips who penned a number of drawings whilst in India. However it appears that both drawings are signed “AGC”. I scanned the “C” soldiers and there were three with those initials :-
CONGDON, Archibald G.;   CONSTANTINE, A. George;   COURT, Alfred G.

25th London Cyclist Bn article in Family Tree magazine

An article featuring Private John (Jack) Colin SPROSTON has been published in the August edition of Family Tree Magazine. Jack Sproston died on the 20th of October 1918 at Tank, Waziristan, of pneumonia coming after influenza.

The article is titled “Nel’s lost twin” :-
“Nel Leadbetter passed away in 1988 knowing little of how her twin brother Jack died in World War I. Now her grandson David R Roberts has finally filled in the gaps after unearthing a wealth of detail online, allowing Nel’s family to honour her lost brother’s memory at long last”The August issue of the magazine is still on sale but will be shortly replaced by the Sept. issue, so I would suggest a quick visit to your local newsagent if you wish to buy a copy. It is also available online :-
http://www.pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?titleid=645&title=Family+Tree

My thanks to David Roberts and Russell Ridout.
Acknowledgements to Family Tree magazine.

Corporal Arthur BRAND – Accidentally shot by a comrade.

Cambridge Independent Press – 9 Jun 1916

Walden Soldier’s Death
Whilst in charge of the guard on Monday morning, Cyclist Corporal Arthur Brand, of the London Cyclists, son of Mrs. Brand, Debden Road, Saffron Walden, was accidentally shot by a comrade.
It appears that he was on duty at nine o’clock. When one of the guard was patrolling the bridge he heard the report of a rifle, and on going into the guard house he found Brand lying on the floor in a pool of blood. A comrade was in the room with him.
Dr. Todd and one of the Army surgeons were sent for, but could do very little, and death took place a few minutes after the accident. The body was removed to an adjoining room to await the inquest.
The inquest was held on Tuesday, when the depositions showed that death resulted from a bullet wound, which entered the top of the right eye and pierced through to the head. It appears that the comrade was handling a rifle, which was supposed not to be loaded, and whilst doing so the weapon went off. The comrade was very much distressed, he being a friend of Corpl. Brand.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally killed” and sympathy was expressed with the relatives.
Corpl. Brand was 25 years of age.
————————————————-
In Memory of
Corporal Arthur BRAND
1282, 25th Bn., London Regiment (Cyclists)
who died on 05 June 1916
Husband of Lily Mildred Brand, of 30, Mersea Rd., Colchester.
Remembered with honour Saffron Walden Cemetery. Grave Ref. Compt. 24. Grave 48.

[British Newspaper Archive]
[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]