The Boy Scouts in the Great War by Craig Armstrong

Author:Craig Armstrong
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History / Military / World War II
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2021-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

Mr Corballis also asked for the cooperation of all officers in assisting him in strengthening the movement in Newcastle. ‘He was desirous of having the movement placed on a firm basis’, and he could see ‘no reason why the numbers should not be doubled’. The Newcastle association seems to have been suffering from a lack of organisation and enthusiasm. Mr Corballis further strengthened this impression in his speech when he stated that he hoped that, in the near future, ‘every troop in Newcastle-upon-Tyne would have its own headquarters’.4

The Newcastle Association found an unusual activity for its scouts to undertake in August. The annual camp, which took place at Keld, in Swaledale in the North Riding of Yorkshire, was unusual in that it took place on a grouse moor during the shooting season. The absence of the customary beaters was filled, innovatively, by the scouts themselves. For the 103 boys present it offered the opportunity for a series of healthy days out on the hills and the boys seemed to have enjoyed the experience. They marched twelve miles from the nearest railway halt with an altitude increase on their march of almost 2,000ft. Despite this arduous march, only four boys had dropped out. The march was led by the drums and bugles of the Scouts and one scout, Drummer Eyre of Heaton Troop, distinguished himself by playing his drum to keep the beat the whole distance. The camp that the boys set up overlooked Swaledale and was highly picturesque and the camp commander was initially Major E. Cyril Burnup, Royal Engineers, who was home on sick leave. Unfortunately, Major Burnup was recalled early to France and had to leave the boys.

A guard was mounted each night and on two occasions ‘raids’ led by Colonel the Hon. Alfred Sidney and Colonel Thornton were thwarted with the raiders being captured. The hilly terrain of the area enabled the Tyneside boys to substantially improve their scouting skills while the mountain air had a beneficial effect on their general health and appetites.

When the boys were gathered to beat for the guns they formed into three sections, each composed of twenty-five scouts with signallers on the flanks, on a daily basis on two drives. The guns gave high praise to the boys for the efficient way they set about their duties and one effort was deserving of special mention. A drive which had averaged just thirty brace of grouse produced 99½ brace when the scouts were beating. In recognition of the work of the scouts, the guns forwarded the sum of £15 to commissioner Corballis for the provision of prizes for sports, a high tea and a visit to a picture hall when they returned home to Newcastle.

The camp had been an outstanding success and the boys themselves came home in an improved and robust condition having enjoyed themselves greatly after the ten-day long camp.

One of the most successful of the many fundraising efforts on behalf of the Red Cross were the flag days. These efforts were supported by many groups, including the Boy Scouts.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.