801 MT COY ASC

At the outbreak of war many motorcycle owners volunteered as despatch riders and brought their own motorcycles with them, this resulted in a diversity of makes including BSA, Clyno, Douglas, Enfield, Indian, Matchless, Rudge, Triumph and Zenith. The majority of motor cycles used by the army during the great war were; Douglas who supplied seventy thousand and Triumph who supplied thirty thousand. Both Douglas and Triumph motorcycles are mentioned in the 801st war diary for the company’s use and those brought in for repair.

 

The 801st despatch rider was used mainly for reporting purposes, weekly manpower strength reports and monthly war diary copies were taken to Corps HQ, along with other correspondence such as requests for equipment, supplies, men etc as required.

 

Image - a despatch rider on a triumph motorcycle.