Despatch rider
A despatch rider (or dispatch) is a military messenger, mounted on horse or motorcycle (and occasionally in Egypt during World War I, on camels).[1]
In the UK 'despatch rider' is also a term used for a motorcycle courier.
Despatch riders were used by armed forces to deliver urgent orders and messages between headquarters and military units. They had a vital role at a time when
World War I
United Kingdom
In the
- One valve complete with spring, washer and cotter
- One sparking plug
- One piston ring
- A tyre repair outfit including spares for valve
- A spare tube
- A spare belt and fastener (if belt driven)
- Spare link and a spare chain (if chain-driven)
- Complete set of spares for the magneto
- Selection of nuts and washers
- Two valve cap washers (if used on machine)
- Complete set of tools
- Two gaiters for tyre repairs
- A spare 'cover' to be carried by signal units for each machine (a tyre)
Recruitment was not just for the army; the
As the war progressed the wide variety of volunteered machinery presented maintenance and spares problems, and so were progressively replaced by a limited range of military models, and in specific regions of the world or parts of the service only one of these models might be found, for example the RAF (formerly the RFC) exclusively used P&M motorcycles by the later stages of the war (they also included female riders).[3]
Other Nations
In August 1914 it was reported that the despatch riders for the Belgian and Russian armies were equipped exclusively with F.N. motor cycles.[4] However, one month later the Belgian government ordered 50 3 hp Enfield motorcycles for despatch riders. At this time the French Army were still mobilising, but it was reported they had a squad of Triumphs as well as a variety of French makes.[2] Douglas supplied 100 machines to the Italian Government for despatch purposes in 1916, and by this time the French despatch riders were also using BSAs and Triumphs.[5]
The US Army entered the war in 1917, and their messengers were equipped principally with
A September 1914 account states that French despatch riders, like the British, are equipped with revolvers, whereas their German counterparts are equipped with Mausers.[6]
World War II
During World War II despatch riders were often referred to as Don Rs (from
The British military often used
Contemporary
The German army reintroduced despatch riders in 2019, equipped with the BMW F850GS, in order to be capable of communicating under heavy electronic warfare conditions.[8]
Notable riders
- Charles Kingsford Smith - Aviator
- Charles Symonds - Neurologist
- Bessie Stringfield - Motorcyclist
- Jehan Alain - Composer and Despatch Rider (French 8th Division)
References
- ^ "Despatch Riders on Camels", The Motor Cycle, 12 October 1916, p320
- ^ a b "Military Motor Cycle Notes", The Motor Cycle, 13 August 1914
- ^ "A Visit to an RAF Reception Depot", The Motor Cycle, 18 July 1918, p50
- ^ "The Home of the F.N.", The Motor Cycle, 13 August 1914, p225
- ^ The Motor Cycle, 7 December 1916, p498
- ^ "With our fighting forces", The Motor Cycle, 10 September 1914, p334
- ^ "WW2 People's War: The Story of a Don R." BBC. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Der Melder kommt zurück - Kradmelder bei der Bundeswehr". 13 May 2019.
Memoirs of riders
- W. H. L. Watson. Adventures of a Motorcycle Despatch Rider During the First World War: ISBN 978-1-84685-046-2
- Raymond Mitchell Commando Despatch Rider: ISBN 0-85052-797-X
- Albert Simpkin - edited by David Venner. "Despatch Rider on the Western Front 1915–1918: The Diary of Sergeant Albert Simpkin MM" ISBN 978-1473827400
Further reading
- Carragher, Michael (2013). San Fairy Ann? Motorcycles and British Victory 1914–1918. Brighton: FireStep Press. ISBN 978-1-908487-38-4.