Warbike is Published

Warbike Project

 

The waiting is over and Warbike: British Military Motorcycling 1899 - 1919 has now been published. The book is the culmination of over three years research into the development and procurement of military motorcycles from the pioneering days of the late 1900's until the end of the First World War where the motorcycle saw action for the first time.


This is a book that deals with "motorcycling" . Author, Martin Gegg wanted to tell the stories of the riders and organisations involved rather than just concentrating on the machinery.

It has become clear that the development of the military machine was driven first by the riders rather than the Army. It was entrepreneurs and pioneers of military cycling who first brought the motor-bicycle to the attention of the War Office. However, the authorities were embroiled in a race to develop a replacement for Horses and Mules as the logistical driving force behind the Army and could see no use for the motorcycle.

Phelon & Moore was chosen for the Royal Fylying Corps

Access to original War Office documents has provided a fascinating insight into how the motorcycle first found its way into the Army Service Corps, Royal Engineers and the Royal Flying Corps. The documents also reveal how Douglas, the second most successful manufacture in WW1 struggled to make the grade.

 The Douglas struggled to make the grade

Access to contemporary letters, interviews and military records has uncovered the story of the individual men and women who took their motorcycles to War for the first time.

The only Brooklands Wartime events took place in 1915

The book is available now at a launch price of £8.50
Warbike: British Military Motorcycling 1899 - 1919

ISBN: 978-1-362-40667-7
Pages: 116
Photos & Illustrations: 70
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