1st East Grinstead Scout Group
Centenary 1908 - 2008
Previous to this the East Grinstead Troop had been associated with the Dormans Land Troop and had been under the Surrey Association, but it was thought best that the East Grinstead boys should be connected with a Sussex organisation. He thought the movement was one that ought to commend itself to every parent and to every man and woman in the country, for it taught the how to be loyal to God and their King: and, further, to help others under all circumstances. He thought this was a beautiful thing and encouraged the spirit of unselfishness.
Up to the present this Scout movement was very little known in East Grinstead, but it was deserving of everyone's support. for it taught. boys to grow up patriotic and trained them to be of use in an emergency.
Scoutmaster S. Lewis Walker, in the course of his interesting remarks. explained that the object with which he had called them together that evening was to get them to take a greater interest in the movement. He first of all traced its history, stating that it arose from a book written by General Sir Robert Baden Powell. It began same live years ago and had spread throughout the world. Dr. Walker next spoke of its organisation, explaining the Scout's oath and the "tenderfoot" system. He gave a graphic account of the work done by the boys in camp and open air work in Ashdown Forest, and also of the work done in the Boy Scouts' room, where they studied First Aid, hygiene, market gardening, electricity, miniature rifle shooting, astronomy, carpentry, physical exercises, &c. He pointed out that it was not a game, as so many people seemed to think, but a movement in which the boys gave up nearly all their spare time to serious studies, and for this reason alone it deserved support. Their object was to make the boys useful, efficient and patriotic citizens.
After the address Mr. White presented badges for the work they did during last year to the following boys, who had qualified in the various subjects they had undertaken: Patrol Leader Smith. Corpl. Weller, Corpl. Butcher, Scouts Baker, Draper, Evershed, Weller, Beard, Finch, A. Smith, F. Jones, R. Jones. S. Betehley, E. Draper and Tomsett. The lecture was splendidly illustrated with lantern slides showing the boys of the local Troop working for their badges, their field work on Ashdown Forest and in the camp at Goring.
After the address Mr. White presented badges for the work they did during last year to the following boys, who had qualified in the various subjects they had undertaken: Patrol Leader Smith. Corpl. Weller, Corpl. Butcher, Scouts Baker, Draper, Evershed, Weller, Beard, Finch, A. Smith, F. Jones, R. Jones. S. Betehley, E. Draper and Tomsett. The lecture was splendidly illustrated with lantern slides showing the boys of the local Troop working for their badges, their field work on Ashdown Forest and in the camp at Goring.