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Capture of Boer soldiers by cyclists
‘Capture of Boers by cyclists near Eerste Fabrieken’.
This somewhat romantic illustration appeared in After Pretoria: the guerilla war, which was published in London in 1902. The author, Herbert Wilson, claimed that this was the only time in the South African War that cyclists chased and captured Boer soldiers.
The cyclists were led by Lieutenant Alexander Wynyard-Joss, ‘Auckland’s favourite mandolinist’, who had moved to Australia before going to South Africa in charge of the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen’s cycle section. He described the incident in a letter that was published in a Brisbane newspaper, The Queenslander, on 22 June 1901:
I am pleased to say that I have been personally congratulated by General Plumer for the smart capture of a small Boer convoy, consisting of nine Boers, four waggons, and 160 head of cattle. I took them completely by surprise with eight of the Cycle Company, and had the pleasure of smashing up their rifles and burning all their ammunition, securlng for myself a lovely Mauser carbine and Boer bandoleer full of cartridges.
Although each of the main centres had a volunteer cyclist company by 1898, New Zealand did not send any cycle units to the South African War. It is quite possible that other New Zealanders served in cyclist companies in South Africa, though Wynyard-Joss is the only one we have been able to confirm.
Later in the same letter Wynyard-Joss noted some of the pros and cons of using bicycles in the war:
We have had a terrible lot of horse sickness in the camps, and over 200 have been walking these last few days. This sickness does not attack the bikes, but, oh! the prickles and punctures are awful. The [Massey-Harris] machines I must say have stood well.
Wynward Joss (1872-1954) was born in Scotland but his family probably moved to New Zealand when he was still at school. By 1890 he was competing in cycle races in Christchurch. He then moved to Whanganui, where he taught mandolin and guitar before moving to Auckland and becoming manager of the the Cleveland Cycle Agency about 1898.
In mid-1900 he moved to Brisbane to managed the Cleveland Cycle Agency there. In 1901 he joined Queensland’s 5th Imperial Bushmen Contingent and was appointed officer in charge of the 500-strong cycle section, which arrived in South Africa in early April. He stayed with this unit until May 1902, when he served briefly with the New Zealand 8th Contingent.
By 1914 Wynyard-Joss was manager of the Canada Cycle and Motor Co. Agency, Brisbane. He enlisted for the First World War as a lieutenant in the Austalian Imperial Force’s 301st Mechanical Transport unit. Promoted to major, he was in 1919 awarded an OBE for his war service. In the 1930s he leased Cid Island in the Whitsunday group, north of Mackay. Alexander Wynyard-Joss died in Queensland in 1954.
Credit: H.W. Wilson, After Pretoria: the guerilla war, Amalgamated Press, London, 1902
Courtesy: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/capture-boer-soliders-cyclists, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage) 19-Aug-2
Thanks to Jason Hebron for sending us the article.
Michael John Barry, father, grandfather, husband and a pillar of Canada’s cycling community, died on Dec. 29 at Mount Sinai Hospital. He was 80.
Born in Wimbledon, England in 1938 to Percival and Eva Fanny (Vardill) Barry, Mike was a builder of communities, an inexhaustible source of knowledge of all aspects of cycling and a mentor to countless people. Although, quiet and modest, he was loath to take credit for his many achievements or his profound influence.
Mike’s association with cycling began with London’s derelict bombsites which he scavenged for bicycle parts following the Second World War. Resold, some of the better parts funded his cycling, which started when he was 10, or they became the foundation of what ultimately was an extensive collection.
After serving in the Royal Air Force, and racing on its cycling team, Mike moved to Canada in 1965. While he was traveling throughout the world as a spectrometer technician, Mike and his friend John Palmer purchased a collection of bicycle tubing that had once belonged to C.C.M. In 1969, Mariposa Number One emerged from a rented basement workshop. Nearly 50 years later, and somewhat to Mike’s amazement, Mariposas continue to be hand built in Toronto.
Along with Mariposa, Mike co-founded, with Mike Brown, Bicyclesport which set a new standard for bike stores in Canada. While Mike was in the bicycle business, he never regarded himself as a businessman. Mariposa, Bicyclesport and his subsequent shops became the birthplace of several bicycle clubs and teams for both adults and children. Mike, along with his wife Clare (Lapp) Barry, who he married in 1972, volunteered as race organizers and officials.
But above all, Mike was a source of inspiration, knowledge and guidance and witty conversation for generations of cyclists ranging from commuters and bike couriers to elite road racers. He changed many of their lives. The only cycling discipline that never attracted his attention was mountain biking.
Mike was also a keen runner completing the Boston Marathon in 1981.
Mike and Clare’s son Michael inherited his love of cycling. Along with his wife Dede (Demet) Barry, Michael continues to run Mariposa. Their children, Liam Barry and Ashlin Barry both joined their grandfather on rides.
Until several weeks ago, Mike was riding his regular route from north of the Metro Toronto Zoo to Annina's Bakeshop in Goodwood, Ontario. As always, he ordered tea and an Eccles cake.
A funeral will take place at Rosedale United Church, Saturday January 5 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to the World Bicycle Relief or the Bicycles For Humanity.
SAVE THE DATE
YOU ARE INVITED TO THE ANNUAL XMAS SOCIAL
SUNDAY, DEC. 2, 2018
TO BE HOSTED FOR THE WHEELMEN OF CANADA
by
ASSOCIATE CAPTAIN RICK WOLFE
TO BE HELD AT WALDIE'S BLACKSMITH SHOP
HOME OF THE MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
16 JAMES ST.
MILTON, ON L9T 2 P4
905-875-4156
www.miltonhistoricalsociety.ca
INCLUDES A PRESENTATION BY JIM HALL
ONE OF CANADA'S FOREMOST HISTORIANS & COLLECTORS OF CANADIAN MILITARY CYCLIANA
SCHEDULE
12:00 - DOORS OPEN. Please be there by at least 12:15
12:00 to 12:30 - MEET & GREET + getting the kitchen & tables organized.
12:30 to 1:30 - LUNCHEON and clean up
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2:15 to 3:00 - SWAP MEET ~ BRING YOUR JUNQUE or TREASURES TO BUY, SELL or TRADE. Bikes, Trikes, Ephemera, Parts, Accessories, Tools & Memorabilia etc.
3:00 to 4:00 - PRESENTATION WILL BE BY JIM HALL ON CANADIAN MILITARY CYCLING FROM THE GREAT WAR (aka WW-1)
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
* PLEASE BRING A FOOD ITEM TO SHARE.
* ALCHOHOLIC BEVERAGES may NOT be consumed or brought into the building.
* COFFEE & TEA supplied. If you wish sodas, fruit juice, colas etc. please bring your own.
* SPECIAL FOOD REQUIREMENTS OR FOOD ALLERGIES ~ Please advise in advance.
SPECIAL NOTES:
* Our cost to rent the venue is $20 per hour. Our estimate is that at least 15 people will attend. Consequently, we need to charge a "help pay for the rent" fee of $7.00 per person.
* Bring friends or family members. This is a great time to get involved. Everyone is invited. Why not bring a future nonmember of The Wheelman whom you might know? He/She might like to join. The more the merrier.
IMPORTANT
Please be so kind as to R.S.V.P. by Nov. 5th (the earlier the better). That would be much appreciated. Kindly reply to: lorne-shields@rogers.com or phone (leave a message)
Best wishes,
Lorne Shields
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