The Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalions

Algernon A. Stanyon.

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Algernon A. Stanyon left his home of Gegory House, Sawtry, Huntingdonshire on the 14/10/1914 and enlisted at the H Q of the Hunts. Cyclists at Huntingdon. He was allocated the HCB number of 612 and posted to the 2/1st HCB [he later served in the 1/1st Battalion]. He was the eldest son of Mr A. Smith of the same address. On enlistment he was noted as being employed as a printer at Groggs of Huntingdon. He later held the rank of Lance Corporal.

When he was posted to France he was then put into the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment ( Lewis Gun Section.) where he was given the new Army number of 39257.

A. A. Stanyon - He was part of a contingent of 130 men of the Hunts. Reserve Battalion who had volunteered for active service in December 1914. They marched through Huntingdon behind their band on the Saturday (before 23 December 1914), and departed from the station in additional coaches that were attached to the 10.06 train. No destination was given for the train or the men of the Reserve Battalion.

Pte. Stanyon - A company - In a local newspaper report of the 25/6/1915 - they played C company of the H.C.B. by the sea - C company won the match - he scored 1 runs and bowled by Adams.

In a local newspaper report of the 12th December 1917Fine work by Sawtry N. C. O. - Writing home to his parents in Sawtry on December 17th,, Lance Corporal A. A. Stanyon, Royal Berks Regt., who is in France, says he has been presented with ‘this card.’ The card states that he ‘’Has been brought to notice for his gallant conduct in action on November 30th 1917.’’ And the signature is that of Lieutenant- Colonel G. P. Hunts co of the Battalion. Writing on the 18th inst. Lance Corporal Stanyon says ‘I am now able to give you a few particulars about the recommendation. It was the morning of the 30th November, our fifth day in the trenches. I was up n charge of an advance post with a gun team, and was struck by the number of enemy aeroplanes that were about and flying very low. We kept a sharper look out than usual, and a good thing we did to, for about 7:30, over they came in thousands coolly advancing and firing their rifles from the hip. Needless to say it did not take me many seconds to get my gun in action, and they very soon had some heavy casualties. Looking round I saw we were almost surrounded, but I was determined to fight to the finish. Then our artillery go on them, and finer shooting I have never seen. It completely demoralised the Germans, and they turned and fled. Before they got back to the ridge [or what was left of them] they were almost completely annihilated, and we were told later that we wiped out two enemy divisions. My gun worked splendidly, and by the time it was over I could not bear my hands on it, it was so hot with the round I had fired through it. Since writing the above I have been sent for by our C.O. , who has asked me to take a commission, which I have accepted. So don’t be surprised if I am not back in old England soon.’ Writing later Lance Corporal Stanyon says ‘ Just a line to let you know that I have been awarded the Military Medal for the 30th November, and we are in for a good time, as it was a red letter day for our Battalion and certainly our Company, B Company being particularly mentioned in dispatches.’

In another local newspaper report of the 17/12/1917 Sawtry Soldier in Bombing raid. Pte. A. A. Stanyon, Lewis Gun section, Royal Berkshire Regiment, son of Mr. A. Stanyon, assistant overseer, of Sawtry, who enlisted in the Hunts. Cyclists in September 1914, and prior to that was engaged in the printing trade with Messrs Goggs, of Huntingdon, writes on February 8th [1917] an interesting letter to his parents. He states: ‘I have been over the top again, and have come through without a scratch. It was not a general attack, but what is called a bombing raid …… Little did you think while you were at chapel on Sunday night, that I was making my way to the trenches to take part in this raid, for I was one of eight gunners picked out of thirty to go over with four guns. It was one of the most successful raids the British have ever done. The snow being on the ground was a great help. We all had to whiten our steel helmets, and wore long white gowns like nightshirts, and we chalked our Lewis Guns over, so everything was white. At 1:30 am, under a nearly full moon, our artillery opened up and over we went, three lines of white figures advancing fearlessly over ‘No Mans Land’ to the German Trenches, where we took then practically by surprise. In the place where I jumped in there were six Germans, who instantly threw up their hands and cried ‘Mercy Kamarade’. They told us afterwards they first thought we were Indians. No sooner were we in the trenches than the prisoners were running across to our lines, and our job was to open fire on all who got away towards their own lines. We were in their trenches for about a quarter of an hour , and in our first three minutes my pal and I on our gun put over 500 rounds through it across the enemy’s second line , and accounted for a few at any rate …… When we got back to headquarters, there were 59 prisoners, including two officers, who told our Colonel that the war couldn’t last the winter out. So that’s cheerful, isn’t it? The officer who led us was badly wounded, but it came through by special telegram yesterday that he had been recommended for the D.S.O. – a braver man never walked’.

In a local newspaper report of the 23/12/1917 = A Raiding Adventure. Pte. A. A. Stanyon, Lewis Gun section, Royal Berkshire Regiment, son of Mr. A. Stanyon, assistant overseer, of Sawtry, who enlisted in the Hunts. Cyclists in September 1914, and prior to that was engaged in the printing trade with Messrs Goggs, of Huntingdon, writes on February 8th [1917] an interesting letter to his parents. He states: ‘I have been over the top again, and have come through without a scratch. It was not a general attack, but what is called a bombing raid …… Little did you think while you were at chapel on Sunday night, that I was making my way to the trenches to take part in this raid, for I was one of eight gunners picked out of thirty to go over with four guns. It was one of the most successful raids the British have ever done. The snow being on the ground was a great help. We all had to whiten our steel helmets, and wore long white gowns like nightshirts, and we chalked our Lewis Guns over, so everything was white. At 1:30 am, under a nearly full moon, our artillery opened up and over we went, three lines of white figures advancing fearlessly over ‘No Mans Land’ to the German Trenches, where we took then practically by surprise. In the place where I jumped in there were six Germans, who instantly threw up their hands and cried ‘Mercy Kamarade’. They told us afterwards they first thought we were Indians. No sooner were we in the trenches than the prisoners were running across to our lines, and our job was to open fire on all who got away towards their own lines. We were in their trenches for about a quarter of an hour , and in our first three minutes my pal and I on our gun put over 500 rounds through it across the enemy’s second line , and accounted for a few at any rate …… When we got back to headquarters, there were 59 prisoners, including two officers, who told our Colonel that the war couldn’t last the winter out. So that’s cheerful, isn’t it? The officer who led us was badly wounded, but it came through by special telegram yesterday that he had been recommended for the D.S.O.’.

In a local newspaper report of the 5/1/1918 = Lance Corporal A. A. Stanyon, Berks. Regt. eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Stanyon, of Sawtry, has won the Military Medal full particulars will be reported in our next edition.

In a local newspaper report of the 30/3/1918 - Lance Corporal A. Stanyon, of the Royal Berks., son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Stanyon, of Sawtry, was gassed on the 11th March, and is now in hospital at Warrington. He has been in France nearly two years, and was recently recommended for gallant conduct and a commission.

If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com

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09/04/2012
. . Martyn Smith ©

.	Algernon A. Stanyon left his home of Gegory House, Sawtry, Huntingdonshire on the 14/10/1914 and enlisted at the H Q of the Hunts. Cyclists at Huntingdon. He was allocated the HCB number of 612 and posted to the 2/1st HCB [he later served in the 1/1st Battalion]. He was the eldest son of Mr A. Smith of the same address. On enlistment he was noted as being employed as a printer at Groggs of Huntingdon. He later held the rank of Lance Corporal. When he was posted to France he was then put into the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment ( Lewis Gun Section.) where he was given the new Army number of 39257. A. A. Stanyon - He was part of a contingent of 130 men of the Hunts. Reserve Battalion who had volunteered for active service in December 1914. They marched through Huntingdon behind their band on the Saturday (before 23 December 1914), and departed from the station in additional coaches that were attached to the 10.06 train. No destination was given for the train or the men of the Reserve Battalion. Pte. Stanyon - A company - In a local newspaper report of the 25/6/1915 - they played C company of the H.C.B. by the sea - C company won the match - he scored 1 runs and bowled by Adams. In a local newspaper report of the 12th December 1917Fine work by Sawtry N. C. O. - Writing home to his parents in Sawtry on December 17th,, Lance Corporal A. A. Stanyon, Royal Berks Regt., who is in France, says he has been presented with ‘this card.’ The card states that he ‘’Has been brought to notice for his gallant conduct in action on November 30th 1917.’’ And the signature is that of Lieutenant- Colonel G. P. Hunts co of the Battalion. Writing on the 18th inst. Lance Corporal Stanyon says ‘I am now able to give you a few particulars about the recommendation. It was the morning of the 30th November, our fifth day in the trenches. I was up n charge of an advance post with a gun team, and was struck by the number of enemy aeroplanes that were about and flying very low. We kept a sharper look out than usual, and a good thing we did to, for about 7:30, over they came in thousands coolly advancing and firing their rifles from the hip. Needless to say it did not take me many seconds to get my gun in action, and they very soon had some heavy casualties. Looking round I saw we were almost surrounded, but I was determined to fight to the finish. Then our artillery go on them, and finer shooting I have never seen. It completely demoralised the Germans, and they turned and fled. Before they got back to the ridge [or what was left of them] they were almost completely annihilated, and we were told later that we wiped out two enemy divisions. My gun worked splendidly, and by the time it was over I could not bear my hands on it, it was so hot with the round I had fired through it. Since writing the above I have been sent for by our C.O. , who has asked me to take a commission, which I have accepted. So don’t be surprised if I am not back in old England soon.’ Writing later Lance Corporal Stanyon says ‘ Just a line to let you know that I have been awarded the Military Medal for the 30th November, and we are in for a good time, as it was a red letter day for our Battalion and certainly our Company, B Company being particularly mentioned in dispatches.’ In another local newspaper report of the 17/12/1917 Sawtry Soldier in Bombing raid. Pte. A. A. Stanyon, Lewis Gun section, Royal Berkshire Regiment, son of Mr. A. Stanyon, assistant overseer, of Sawtry, who enlisted in the Hunts. Cyclists in September 1914, and prior to that was engaged in the printing trade with Messrs Goggs, of Huntingdon, writes on February 8th [1917] an interesting letter to his parents. He states: ‘I have been over the top again, and have come through without a scratch. It was not a general attack, but what is called a bombing raid …… Little did you think while you were at chapel on Sunday night, that I was making my way to the trenches to take part in this raid, for I was one of eight gunners picked out of thirty to go over with four guns. It was one of the most successful raids the British have ever done. The snow being on the ground was a great help. We all had to whiten our steel helmets, and wore long white gowns like nightshirts, and we chalked our Lewis Guns over, so everything was white. At 1:30 am, under a nearly full moon, our artillery opened up and over we went, three lines of white figures advancing fearlessly over ‘No Mans Land’ to the German Trenches, where we took then practically by surprise. In the place where I jumped in there were six Germans, who instantly threw up their hands and cried ‘Mercy Kamarade’. They told us afterwards they first thought we were Indians. No sooner were we in the trenches than the prisoners were running across to our lines, and our job was to open fire on all who got away towards their own lines. We were in their trenches for about a quarter of an hour , and in our first three minutes my pal and I on our gun put over 500 rounds through it across the enemy’s second line , and accounted for a few at any rate …… When we got back to headquarters, there were 59 prisoners, including two officers, who told our Colonel that the war couldn’t last the winter out. So that’s cheerful, isn’t it? The officer who led us was badly wounded, but it came through by special telegram yesterday that he had been recommended for the D.S.O. – a braver man never walked’. In a local newspaper report of the 23/12/1917 = A Raiding Adventure. Pte. A. A. Stanyon, Lewis Gun section, Royal Berkshire Regiment, son of Mr. A. Stanyon, assistant overseer, of Sawtry, who enlisted in the Hunts. Cyclists in September 1914, and prior to that was engaged in the printing trade with Messrs Goggs, of Huntingdon, writes on February 8th [1917] an interesting letter to his parents. He states: ‘I have been over the top again, and have come through without a scratch. It was not a general attack, but what is called a bombing raid …… Little did you think while you were at chapel on Sunday night, that I was making my way to the trenches to take part in this raid, for I was one of eight gunners picked out of thirty to go over with four guns. It was one of the most successful raids the British have ever done. The snow being on the ground was a great help. We all had to whiten our steel helmets, and wore long white gowns like nightshirts, and we chalked our Lewis Guns over, so everything was white. At 1:30 am, under a nearly full moon, our artillery opened up and over we went, three lines of white figures advancing fearlessly over ‘No Mans Land’ to the German Trenches, where we took then practically by surprise. In the place where I jumped in there were six Germans, who instantly threw up their hands and cried ‘Mercy Kamarade’. They told us afterwards they first thought we were Indians. No sooner were we in the trenches than the prisoners were running across to our lines, and our job was to open fire on all who got away towards their own lines. We were in their trenches for about a quarter of an hour , and in our first three minutes my pal and I on our gun put over 500 rounds through it across the enemy’s second line , and accounted for a few at any rate …… When we got back to headquarters, there were 59 prisoners, including two officers, who told our Colonel that the war couldn’t last the winter out. So that’s cheerful, isn’t it? The officer who led us was badly wounded, but it came through by special telegram yesterday that he had been recommended for the D.S.O.’. In a local newspaper report of the 5/1/1918 = Lance Corporal A. A. Stanyon, Berks. Regt. eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Stanyon, of Sawtry, has won the Military Medal full particulars will be reported in our next edition. In a local newspaper report of the 30/3/1918 - Lance Corporal A. Stanyon, of the Royal Berks., son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Stanyon, of Sawtry, was gassed on the 11th March, and is now in hospital at Warrington. He has been in France nearly two years, and was recently recommended for gallant conduct and a commission.
If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com
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09/04/2012	.	.	*Martyn Smith* ©