Charles Thebus

Charles was born on the 8th of October 1901 and was a man inextricably woven into the tapestry of Cape Western Scouting, 'Skipper' to all, who 'went home' on the 27th of September 1972, having spent the last years of a very full life as Warden of Gilray, the Cape Western Training Ground. With the official opening of Gilray in 1958, the large Hall erected on the property was aptly named the 'Charlie Thebus Hall' in his honour. This gentleman creditably represented his country at World Conferences and reached the highest rank of Chief Scout's Commissioner in October 1958.

Charles Thebus's introduction to the Movement was at 79a Roeland Street, Cape Town where Thomas Paries had started a while before him. Charlie had been sent there to get ideas to start a boys' club and arrived at the Silvertree Club on a Pathfinder meeting night. He became so interested that through him the Movement reached the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, where he was responsible for the formation of the 1st Wynberg Coloured Troop in 1934.

In 1940 Charles held the rank of District Pathfinder Scout Commissioner and he was awarded the Medal of Merit in recognition of his good services to the Movement. With the introduction of the Emeritus Commissioner, he was awarded this honoured status by the Chief Scout Carveth Geach on the 10 January 1970, a final title he held until 'going home' in 1972. Charlie – we salute you!