Chapter XXI. Our Departure from France.

After spending over three months at Baudour orders were received that the Unit would shortly leave for U.K. preparatory for embarkation to New Zealand for demoblization, and on 18th March the cycles, wagons and all regimental stores having been previously moved into Mons and stored, the Unit bade good-bye to Baudour and moved by motor lorries to Mons, and from there entrained to Rouen, from whence after a brief stay it crossed to England and there ceased to exist as a Unit, each officer and man being drafted to his Demobilisation Group.

Major H. D. McHugh, M.C., Captain C. C. Johnson, the Q.M. and 20 others remained at Mons to guard the stores until same could be railed to Calais and be handed over to the Ordnance Department. This was not done for about six weeks owing to the congestion on the French and Belgian lines.

Before the Battalion left Belgium the Corps Commander sent the following letter to our C.O.:—

"In view of the probable early demobilisation of the New Zealand Cyclist Battalion, I desire to place on record my high appreciation of the good service done since the formation of the Battalion in July, 1916, to the signing of the Armistice.

"Your Battalion has had a most varied experience and few Units in the B.E.F. have rendered valuable service in so many different directions or in conjunction with so many different formations.

"Its work has included traffic control, the felling of trees, cable burying, repairing of trenches, the holding as Infantry of Sections of the front fine, the reconnaissance of front areas and the participation in offensives as advanced mounted troops.

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"The work of burying cables 6, 7, and 8 feet deep, running up to the front line in shell-swept areas, and most of it done by night, proved as valuable and successful as it was arduous and dangerous. Latterly the Battalion became so experienced and expert in this work that its personnel were employed only as supervisors.

"On several occasions when specially needed, your Battalion has done most valuable service in the front line both as Infantry and Mounted Troops. Of these I desire to specially mention the Battle of Messines, the filling of the gap near Vierstratt at a heavy cost in casualties, and the holding off of the enemy for four days in April, 1918, during the critical period of the big enemy offensive; the capture of Marfaux in the offensive of the Fifth French Army in July, 1918, and the excellent patrol and advanced reconnaissance work in the second Battle of the Somme, and finally in our final advance from Arras to Mons.

"I congratulate you on being selected as the only British Unit to receive a fanion from General Berthelot.

" If Cyclists are included in the post war Army of New Zealand, the traditions of your good service cannot fail to permanently stimulate both their efficiency and esprit de corps.

"I ask you with confidence to continue until discharged in New Zealand to do your share in maintaining the high reputation for soldierly qualities held by the N.Z.E.F.

"My gratitude for your services, and my best wishes for your future happiness and prosperity, will follow you to New Zealand.

"Will you please bring the contents of this letter to notice of ranks under your command.

(Sgd.) "Alex. J. Godley,
Lieut.-General
Commanding N.Z. Expeditionary Forces.

6th March, 1919."

Parade for Demobilization, Feby. 1919.

Waiting for H.M. The King.

Such an appreciation as the foregoing cannot but make everyone who served in the Unit feel proud, and its receipt gave the greatest satisfaction to everyone, particularly those who had been Cyclists since the Unit's formation.

In addition to the letter our General visited and inspected the Unit at Mons Railway Station before it entrained, and in a brief address thanked all ranks for the very creditable work done during the past three years.

The cadre, consisting of a selected party from the Otago Mounted Rifles and another from the Cyclists, under Major H. D. McHugh, M.C., received orders on the 4th May to load the Unit's equipment on railway trucks at Mons and proceed to Calais, where it was to be handed over.

We left Mons on May 5th, and three day's journey brought us to Calais, where the equipment was handed over to the Ordnance Department and the necessary receipts obtained. The party left France for England on the 10th of May, and on arrival in London were given the usual 14 days' leave, after which they were absorbed into the Demobilisation Units at our bases, Sling and Codford.