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In a war dominated by men on horseback and the infantry it seems almost an anomaly to find a Cyclist on a bicycle in the line of duty but this was the lot of the Cape Colony Cyclist's Corps.

Robert Mennie Main

Private, Cape Colony Cyclist’s Corps – Anglo Boer war

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony and South Africa 1901 to 23871 Pte. R. Main, C.C.C.C.

Robert Main was born in Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on 16 February 1874 the son of William Main and his wife Jane, born Mair. As was typical of the period his family was a large one.

The 1881 Scotland census reveals to us that the Main family were resident at Hill of Balmedie Cottage in Belhelvie and that Robert, aged 7, was in fact one of triplets – with brother Peter and Alexander of the same age and joined by other siblings Elizabeth (11), Margaret (9), Harry (5), Agnes (3) and baby Andrew (7 months).

Ten years later at the time of the 1891 Scotland census a 16 year old Robert had moved out of the house and was a Farm Servant in the employ of James Smith of Easter Tolmands in Kincardine, Aberdeenshire. Work was scarce and any that was to be had was quickly snapped up.

Quite when Main tired of what he was doing and decided to head south to South Africa is unknown but, according to a letter addressed to the Under Colonial Secretary, Cape Town on 6 March 1896 from the Attorneys Fairbridge, Aderne and Lawton, he was allied to a William Donald – both of whom had invented an instrument for “Improvements in the manufacture of Chlorine and Nitro-acid and in the recovery of by-products”. It was their wish that a Certificate of Protection be issued to them.

What became of the partnership and the invention is a matter for speculation but, possibly, the Anglo Boer War put paid to any further developments on that front. Main was a late entrant to the war which commenced in October 1899 enlisting with the Cape Colony Cycle Corps at Cape Town on 14 January 1901. He supplied the details of his mother as next of kin; resident at Hillhead, Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Aged 24 at the time he was a mason by trade and still unmarried. Assigned no. 23871 and the rank of Private. The C.C.C.C. had been raised at the end of December 1900, and in the first week of January 1901, when the enemy were penetrating to within easy distance of Cape Town, they were sent to occupy Pickaneer's Kloof which is where Main must have joined them, just managing to arrive in time. Although fiercely attacked on the 28th January, and losing 4 killed and 23 wounded, including Captain Rose their O.C., they held on to the positions commanding the pass.

This was regarded as a very promising beginning, and during the next seven months the corps did much excellent work. By the middle of February the corps was 500 strong, their commander being Major Owen Lewis. They were often split up, sections being attached to many columns, both in Cape Colony and the Orange River Colony. The fine work of those with De Lisle and Bethune, when they were in Western Cape Colony and afterwards in the north-east of the Orange River Colony, was several times spoken of.

In a telegram from Calvinia, dated 8th February 1901, the Press Association correspondent who was accompanying Colonel De Lisle said: "Very valuable assistance was given to our force by a section of the Cape Town Cyclist Corps under Captain Rose last week. We were cut off from all telegraphic communication, and Colonel De Lisle relied on them exclusively for the purpose of despatch-riding, a duty which they performed admirably". And again on the 24th he said: "The comprehensive manner in which the country has been scouted by Colonel De Lisle is largely due to the mobility and enterprise of the Cyclist Corps, who have done excellent work as scouts and despatch-riders".

The corps had casualties at various times. In July 1901, near Beaufort Station, 1 man was killed and Lieutenant Brunton and 1 man were wounded.

In a combat zone such as that prevailing in the Boer War cyclists bouncing around on tracks and trails must have appeared as an oddity and yet, as can be seen from what was stated above, they had a vital and important role to play with their efforts earning the commendation of many.

Main was operational primarily in the Western Cape and was awarded the Queens Medal with this clasp on the cessation of hostilities. On taking his discharge, time expired, on 31 July 1901 his Character was rated as Very Good. After 199 days of service he returned to his discharge address – 66 Loop Street, Cape Town after being “settled up” with a payment of £43:7 and having handed in his bicycle he was a civilian once more.

What became of him after the war is uncertain. According to the Death Notice in the Natal Archives Robert Main, Stone Mason, passed away at Hillcrest, north of Durban on 4 February 1941 at the age of 63. He had been living at 267 Gale Street in Durban and was survived by his wife, Violet Elizabeth Main (born Townsend) who he had married in Johannesburg on 30 August 1924. There was only one child of the marriage – Florence Francis Main born on 18 January 1925. According to his Last Will and Testament signed on 22 October 1928 he had been resident at 288 Market Street, Fairview, Johannesburg.

His widow wasn’t one to let dust gather under her feet – on 10 September 1941, six months after his death, she wrote to the Master of the Supreme Court from Northrand in Johannesburg advising that worthy of her intention to remarry.

Thoroughly enjoyable Rory and ably demonstrates how much information can be found on medals that are too often overlooked.