1st East Grinstead Scout Group
Centenary 1908 - 2008
The Troop undertook a camp to Ostend in Belgium, in August 1914. In fact whilst the troop were abroad the 1st World War was declared and Germany invaded Belgium and the troop had to cut short their camp and return home. The details of this camp are recalled in a book by Mrs Beryl Golding regarding the life of her father George Smith who was a founder member of the troop and later Assistant Scoutmaster. She has devoted a chapter of her book to his membership of the troop.She details a letter regarding the Belgium camp circulated by Dr Walker as follows;
The objects of the tour are two: 1) The promotion of International friendship; we hope that by meeting Continental troops we shall gradually improve the dormant feelings of friendship and respect among the nations. 2) The education of our own troop. We have a large number of boys in East Grinstead who are capable of making themselves efficient citizens of our Empire if only we could make them realise that it is worthwhile to do so. The tour promises to be very successful - except financially, and if any of your readers sympathise with our aims we shall be most grateful for their assistance. The extra expense connected with this tour is being met by a special fund, apart from the ordinary Troop funds. I should like to take this opportunity of heartily thanking those employers who, at some personal inconvenience, have granted boys leave for this tour.
Yours,
S Lewis Walker
Scout Master
Woodstock House. East Grinstead
Mrs Golding states; It seems sadly ironic that in the very year in which Dr Walker was appealing for "friendship and respect among nations", some of these very same nations were sharpening their knives and forming themselves into formidable military alliances.
Although rumours of war had been floating around for some time few people had taken them very seriously and in the meantime the Scouts enjoyed the Continental flavour of Ostend; suddenly the mood changed; it became war-like and there was vague talk of there being no more boats back to England; preparations for a return home at a leisurely pace changed to something more decisive and hurried; slightly bewildered, the scouts began to pack their belongings. The fearful dark and shadowy spectre of war was about to take on its most hideous form and become reality.