The Bluebirds

[Hobilar]

If you should think that the notion of Pals Battalions was destroyed in the mud of the Somme, then you may be surprised to know that when war broke out in 1939 there was still a strong desire by some to form volunteer units from among their friends and acquaintances.

One such unit was formed by Sir Malcolm Campbell, the famous racing driver and speed record holder. The London Divisional Provost Company was a Military Police unit recruited by Captain Sir Malcolm Campbell from well known sportsmen from the world of motorcycling sports. The volunteers came almost exclusively from those who in pre-war days had raced in the Isle of Man TT races, In racing events at Donington Park and Brooklands, from Scramblers (now known as Moto-X), and from Trials events which required the rider to compete in crossing obstacles over a cross country course.

Campbell's company consisted of around 100 men organised into a Headquarters and six sections of 16 men. Each section was commanded by a Sergeant and two Corporals, with the other soldiers all being Lance Corporals in accordance with normal Military Police procedure. The sections were equipped with fifteen motorcycles and a light truck (the driver of which was also the section cook), and the main role to which the unit trained was that of traffic control and route marking.

Naturally this company soon acquired a nickname, one that would always be associated with Sir Malcolm and his equally famous son Donald-The Bluebirds.