Their use was as a mobile force to commanders who still remembered horse cavalry and as carriers of communications in the days before reliable radio and telephones.

In 1908 when the Territorial Force came into being the four Cyclist companies of Essex and the four from Suffolk were merged to make the Essex and Suffolk (Cyclist) Battalion.

The Battalion HQ was at Colchester under the command of Lieut-Colonel T J Boulter.

Battalion bases were established at Leyton, West Ham, Colchester, Saffron Walden, Ipswich (2 bases), Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds.

Unlike some of the other Battalions where Officers were recruited more easily than men the cyclists found recruitment of other ranks quite easy but more difficulty was found in recruiting Officers mainly due to the requirement to ride cycles.

In 1911 the Essex and Suffolk companies were separated and the 8th (Cyclist) Battalion was formed. Lieut-Colonel Boulter remained with the Essex Battalion.

Bases were now established at Leyton, West ham, Colchester, Saffron Walden, East ham, Ilford, Brentwood and Coggeshall.

The Battalion practiced and developed expertise in coast watching and home defence which were to become important skills during wartime.

In 1912 Captain J C Taylor from Stoke by Nayland assumed command with support from Major W F Aukland.

By June 1914 The Battalion had the strength of 13 Officers and 473 Other Ranks.