Milieu in Muggeridge

Throughout the middle of the twentieth century Malcolm Muggeridge had a series of adventures. He became more involved in literary circles, was a Special Intelligence Services agent in World War II, and ended up as editor of Punch, England's Mad. He also had a series of affairs and dalliances while away from England.

But all of that seems like status quo stuff when there's a wild marginal reference prowling about this biography's pages.

On page 101, while introducing Malcolm's dear friend Hugh Kingsmill, Ingrams mentions that he had enlisted in "a regiment if cyclists" during World War I.

"A regiment of cyclists."

A part of the British armed forces from the late nineteenth century to the end of World War I, regiments of cyclists are just as they sound: units of the army whose distinguishing feature was the use of bicycles.

Apparently, and as you might expect, these units were primarily used for communications purposes, but also saw some combat. Bikes are definitely stealthier than horses, especially if they're as well maintained as any piece of army equipment is sure to be, so such work suits them perfectly.

Once again, the greater value of this biography proves to be the broader milieu that's lit by the biographer's lantern as it swings over an intimate subject.