Shoulder Badge - Canadian Corps of Cyclists Each division, 1 through 5 had a Cyclists Company. In 1916, the four Canadian Corps Cyclist Companies were removed from the divisional establishment and combined to form a Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion. The Canadian Corps of Cyclists mobilized with five overseas Cyclist Companies one for each Division. Cyclist Companies 1,2,and 3 were absorbed into the Canadian Cyclist Battalion, while Companies 4 and 5 were broken up and used as reinforcements for the Canadian Cyclist Battalion. They served under Corps command until the end of hostilities in 1918. (D. Love, A Call to Arms, p 151-152.) It is not clear which badges the composite battalion wore, and perhaps they retained and wore their original divisional badge. The 1920 date is the official "paper" demobilization for the unit, and often the effective de-mobilization had taken place much earlier. The Canadian Corps of Guides was tasked the responsibility of raising the company of Canadian Cyclists. The Canadian Corps Cyclists Battalion formed a Canadian Reserve Cyclist to be located at Chieseldon camp in Wiltshire. Additionally, there were 13 Cyclist Platoons recruited in Canada. These were also used as reinforcements for the overseas Cyclist Battalion. The Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion was said to be the "Gas Pipe Calvary" and reported to have had a 22% casualty rate, with over half being fatal. The 1st Canadian Divisional Cyclist Company formed at Valcartier Camp , Quebec 20 September 1914. The Company departed for overseas on SS RUTHENIA Oct 3,1914 and landed in France 12 February 1915. Unit Strength 50 Officers and 350 ORs. Disbanded 17 May 1916 The 2nd Canadian Division Cyclist Company formed on 23 October, 1914 at Niagra on the Lake, Ontario. The Coy departed for overseas duty 15 May 1915 on SS CORINTHIAN. Unit Strength 9 Officers and 250 ORs. Disbanded 17 May 1916 The 3rd Canadian Divisional Cyclist Coy mobilized 15 August 1915 in Toronto. The Coy departed for the UK in three drafts on board SS LAPLAND and SS MISSANABIE. Unit Strength 10 Officers and 300 ORs. Disbanded 17 May 1916 The 4th Canadian Cyclists Coy recruited on 4 February 1916 at Toronto, Ontario and Winnipeg Manitoba. The 4th Canadian Div Cyclist Coy was broken up in 1917 to provide reinforcements to the other companies. The 4th Canadian Division Cyclist Company was originally designated the Canadian Reserve Company but never appeared at the camp, but insisted they be allowed to remain in France and Flanders rather than take up residence in the British camp in the UK. The 5th Canadian Divisional Cyclist Coy recruited from across Canadaand mobilized in Toronto in April 1916. The Coy departed for the UK 21 January 1917. Unit Strength 16 Officers and 320 ORs. The Canadian Cyclists Corps Battalion's colours are located at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.