At the start of World War I the petrol-driven motor was used for the first time for haulage of big guns, ammunition wagons, food and baggage trains, Red Cross ambulances, as well as for the conveyance of troops at the front. At this time, motor cyclists offered to raise a corps, and the offer was gladly accepted by the War Office. The photograph shows a parade of the hundreds of motor cycles placed at the disposal of the military authorities.