Highland Cyclist Battalion  The Highland Cyclist Battalion was a bicycle infantry battalion of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army. Formed as part of the Volunteer Force in 1860, it became a Volunteer Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in 1881. In 1909 it became an independent unit and served in the United Kingdom throughout the First World War. In 1920 it was converted as part of the Highland Divisional Signals. From being the closest of allies in the Crimean War (October 1853 – February 1856), Anglo-French relations had deteriorated to such an extent that by 1859 an invasion of Britain seemed a real possibility. An attempt to assassinate the French Emperor, Napoleon III, by Italian nationaliststhe Orsini affairhad been linked to Britain as the bombs used in the attempt had been made and tested in England, coupled with the British Government's refusal to restrict the right of asylum. With the regular British Army stretched in the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny (May 1857 – June 1858), a popular movement saw the creation of the Volunteer Force. "Rifle Volunteer Corps" were set up throughout Great Britain from May 1859 under the terms of the Volunteer Act 1804 ("44 Geo.3, c.54"). Corps were to be organised in battalions (of 8 companies and at least 500 men), companies (60 to 100 men) or sub-divisions (about 30 men). By 1860, the large number of independent Corps led to their merger as consolidated battalions (were a number of Corps existed in a large town or city) or administrative battalions (in more rural areas). Corps in border areas could be included in battalions outside its own county. Administrative battalions could consolidate as and when they chose. The 2nd Administrative Battalion, Perthshire Rifle Volunteers was formed on 12 November 1861 with Headquarters at Taymouth by grouping the "3rd Perthshire (Breadalbane) Rifle Volunteer Corps" of four companies (raised 29 February 1860), the "10th Perthshire Rifle Volunteer Corps" (raised 1860) and the "9th Argyllshire Rifle Volunteer Corps" (raised 12 April 1860). In 1865, the 9th Argyllshire Rifle Volunteer Corps was transferred to the 1st Administrative Battalion, Argyllshire Rifle Volunteers. In 1869, the Headquarters moved to Birnam and the battalion was reorganized. The "3rd Perthshire (Breadalbane) Rifle Volunteer Corps" was reduced to the former No. 2 Company, the "4th Perthshire (Breadalbane) Rifle Volunteer Corps" was formed from No. 3 Company, 3rd Corps (Nos. 1 and 4 companies were disbanded), "10th Perthshire Rifle Volunteer Corps" remained with the battalion until disbanded in 1873, and the "5th, 7th, 9th, 13th and 14th Perthshire Rifle Volunteer Corps" joined from the 1st Administrative Battalion. "20th Perthshire Rifle Volunteer Corps" joined when it was raised on 27 May 1869.