Eastern Cape Scout Groups - East London
Please see Scout Groups in South Africa for a list of the active Groups in the Eastern Cape.
The History of Scout Groups in East London
Very soon after Scouting for Boys was published troops were being formed in East London. Some were linked to churches and used their halls, others over time had their own halls.
Many of the groups moved several times, from one venue to the next as their premises became unavailable, too small or built their own hall. Although the demographics of the area did change, sadly it seems that in many cases the groups closed due to the lack of adult leaders.
Generally, only once a group closes down do all the historical documents and memorabilia get passed on to the Scout archives. Consequently, the archives are unlikely to have any or very little information about groups that are still active and hopefully they are preserving their own history.
Interaction amongst the Groups was encouraged and this was achieved by participating in the various Camps, Jamborees and Competitions. The following three events gives one an insight into the heydays of Scouting in East London and the Border Area.
The Gilwood Trophy
This was basically a camping competition, but with many other exciting activities included in the programme. It was first held in August 1943 at 'Gilwood' the Scout campsite, then on the outskirts of East London. The site was most suitable for Scouting activities and nine teams participated. Some of the tests were Gadgets, Cooking, Bridge building, Signalling, and First Aid. All the teams were from East London and 15th East London won the Trophy.
1944 saw only five Troops participating, these being the 1st, 2nd, 10th, 11th and 15th East London. Tests were basically the same as the previous year, the standards however seem to have improved. In 1945 the winners, for a second-year running were 2nd East London. This year the competition was held in conjunction with Border Efficiency Shield.
In the March of 1946 heavy rains in the days preceding the competition and parents concern for their sons sleeping out, resulted in the competition starting on the Saturday in the Bryant Scout Hall where they slept over. On the Sunday morning they then proceeding to Gilwood for the rest of the 34 tests. The 1947 competition was arranged to see how a Patrol Leader would take his Scouts on week end hike following a route and instructions given. There were multiple starting points for the 9 Patrols, and with the kind permission of the municipality, they all ended up camping the night at the Nahoon Mouth.
A return to Gilwood Campsite took place in 1950 and the number of entries had increased to twelve Patrols. The object was to increase camping efficiency, Scout Sprit and bring the spirt of Backwoodsmanship into Scouting and Gilwood provided the idea location. By the late 1950's the number of East London Troops had closed and in 1959 only the 9th and 10th EL had entered. However, the Cambridge Troops made a good showing with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd ,4th and 5th Cambridge entering teams and from the country areas 1st King Williams Town and 1st Queenstown.
At the start of the sixties G English (Blackie) took on the role of Chief Judge and added his touch to the competitions. He was followed by R Cleland and Bill Buckell. The mid-sixties saw the names of newer groups appearing on the marks sheet and these were: - 1st Gonubie, 1st Beacon Bay and 1st Nahoon. Regulars were 5th and 9th East London, 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th Cambridge not forgetting 1st King Williams Town.
The BP Camporee
The Cape Border Division annually observed the birthday of Baden-Powell, with a week-end Camporee and a separate formal Commemoration Dinner at a local hotel. The Camporee was for the first 15 years held at the Gilwood Campsite but other venues have also been used. A highlight was the Saturday evening Campfire which parents and friends could attend. Often the Girl Guides would participate in the Campfire with skits of their own. The first official B P Camporee was held over the week-end 21 and 22 February 1959. In 1960 it was a dual occasion: - The Camporee celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the birth of BP and the Union Festival - celebrating 50 years of the Union of South Africa. As part of the Union Festival the Scouts in camp caught the train into town and then marched through the East London City streets before catching the train back to Highgate Station and walking to Gilwood. This parade through the town was repeated in 1961 and 1962.
Quite often The Chief Scout would attend the camp and the Sunday afternoon was used as an awards ceremony where Scouts would receive Advancement Awards and Scouters Service and Merit Awards. There was collaboration with the Girl Guides in 1967 when they came over from their neighbouring 'Barnack' campsite for Saturday morning tea, the evening pageant and on the Sunday afternoon 'Olympiad'. Run in conjunction with the Camporee was the Hensberg Trophy where points were scored for all round good camping. In later years the camp would have a specific theme and this would also be reflected in the Saturday afternoon activities. Parents and Scouts would set up various stalls and stay to view the camp and have a sociable braaivleis. In 1974, for the first time in 16 years the Camporee was not held at Gilwood and the venue for the camp was Eastern Beach Camp Site and was attended by 145 Scouts, 100 Cubs and 32 Scouters. The theme was shipwrecked and the nearby Orient swimming baths was used for a gala and on the Sunday Scout's Own, a Cross Country Orienteering competition was held.
The Border Efficiency Shield
This Shield was presented in the 1920's as an annual competition among Troops of the Cape Border Division. Unfortunately, for various reasons it had not been possible to hold it regularly. Records show that it was held 1945 when 3rd Cambridge won it and then revived in September 1950. Initially it was often held at Gilwood and the starting points were sometimes such that it included a hike to the campsite.
Queenstown was the venue for the 1964 competition when fourteen Scout Teams from Cambridge, East London, King William's Town and Queenstown participated. Starting in the centre of town it comprised a hike, which included a mountain climb, and a standing hike camp where the usual tests of skill and initiative were wrapped up in parcels labelled Skill-o-Rama and Survive-a-Rama. After their wearisome hike, with their packs on their backs the Scouts welcomed and appreciated the camp at the Scout campsite next to the Berry Reservoir.
King William's Town were hosts to the competition in 1966 and it took the form of a rugged 10 mile (16Km) hike through unknown wilds of the Yellowwoods River Valley and a standing camp at Gilhaven Scout Camp. The main objectives were to test the boys under challenging circumstances, requiring leadership, initiative and stamina. They all came through with 'flying colours'. Apart from troops in the greater East London area and the local troop, it was pleasant to see troops from Keiskamahoek and Butterworth.
Stutterheim also became a popular venue in the 1970's for the competition where use was made of "Paxwold', the Girl Guide campsite. The nearby Kologha State Forrest was an ideal spot for hiking, with Dohne Peak as a goal. To quote from the 1968 report, 'A most enjoyable camp set in unsurpassed surroundings and with all facilities'. The 1971 event, also held at Paxwold, attracted a record 15 teams.
The "Evolution" of the current Eastern Cape South Regional Badge
Although each group had its own unique identifying scarf, the unifying camaraderie for events within and outside the area was the Badge on their uniform. This changed a number of times and in 1992 the Border merged with the Midlands to form the Cape Eastern Area.
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1940's
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1960's
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1970's
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1990's
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1990's
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2015
The following is an alphabetical list of the groups, both past and present, where they met and a short history sourced from the very limited documentation in the Scout Archives. Regarding the naming, it is possible that as groups closed their names or numbering could have been reused at a later stage.
1st Alphendale - In the early 1990's this troop was located in Buffalo Flats and had about 30 Scouts. The Troop Scouter was Chris Grey and the Pack Scouter Naomi Matroos.
1st Amalinda - This Group seems to have been active in the 1960's and 1970's as their Troop participated in the 1966 Border Efficiency Trophy and the 1975 BP Camporee.
1st Beacon Bay Sea Scouts - The group seems to have been active from the mid1960's when S Coates was the Cubmaster and then became their Scoutmaster from 1967 through to the mid 1990's when Leon de Villiers was the Troop Scouter with about 19 Scouts and Winnie Bushell the Pack Scouter with about 28 Cubs.
2nd Beacon Bay - Newsletters reveal that by 1994 they had no Scouters and the numbers were rapidly dwindling and probably closed around this time.
1st Berea - In 1994 the Troop Scouter was a Mr W Field who unfortunately was transferred and had to resign resulting in the Troop closing down in September of that year.
1st Cambridge (1916 - Active) - First Troop meeting was held on Saturday afternoon 29th July 1916 at 2.30pm, in the Town Hall. The group grew over the years and in 1925 it was recorded in the Group Committee minutes that the Troop was then the largest in the Cape Province.
There was the usual fund raising for a hall and in 1938 the Troop moved into its new headquarters the John Powell Scout and Guide Hall, on the corner of Mayfair and Roseberry Avenues. They were an active group attending most of the Divisional competitions and camps as well as local and overseas jamborees. Read more ….
2nd Cambridge (1928 - 1991) - This group met at the St Alban's Anglican Church in Vincent. There are records indicating that the group existed in 1928 and the Clifton Pack won the Cub Efficiency Trophy in 1931 and 1936. In 1947 the Troop entered a team for the Gilwell trophy. In the early 1960's the Cubmaster was Mrs Paddy Bayer and Mrs D Hoare in 1972. In May 1982 it was reported that there were 33 Cubs in the Pack. The Scouts too were active in the early 1980's when a number of them earned their Pathfinder Badges. There was also a warm welcome extended to eight Scouts of other races that were invested into the Troop. They sent three Scouts to the PLTU and were, in 1982, having lively Troop meetings on Friday evenings. Scoutmasters were B Golding (1946), G Berry (1950), J Dore
(1951), S Mandy (1954), R Krug (1958), D van der Zee (1965), W Krugel (1966/7), G Jones (1971) and Udo Bessinger (1976). In July 1991 they changed their name to 1st Vincent.
3rd Cambridge (1940's - 1970's) - Their meeting place was at St Marks' Anglican Church in Cambridge. Earliest archive documents show that the Pack won the 1942 and 1944 Cub Efficiency Trophy. The Troop entered the 1947 Gilwood Trophy and participated in most of the Divisional events through to the late 1970's. Cubmasters were M Suter (1943) J Dodds (1949), Miss V Burrows (1959/1963) and Mrs R Ekron (1972).
4th Cambridge Sea Scouts (1950's - 1966) - The boat house near the mouth of the Nahoon River was their meeting place. Mr. Neil Thesen was Scoutmaster in the mid 1960's. It was a very active Troop participating in the many regattas and Divisional events.
A shoulder tag indicates that the Cub Pack was connected to the Vincent Primary School. In 1963 their Cubmaster was Mrs E M McLean and in 1964/5 Mrs Joan Watkins.
In 1966 the group was renamed and became 1st Nahoon.
5th Cambridge (MOTH) - This Air Scout Group which wore blue uniforms, met at the MOTH Hall den, St Peter's Road in Southernwood, East London. They were part of the very first 1959 Gilwood Trophy, participated in the BP Camporees and won the Swimming Trophy 1972/3/4. Cubmasters were J Emms (1964) and Mrs M Brown (1972), the Scoutmasters were Kenneth Courage (1958) who became the Divisional Commissioner (1960/2) and J M Fenn (1966).
6th Cambridge (Catholic) (1960's - 1970's) (1990's) - Originally, they were land Scouts and in the mid 1960's their Scoutmasters were D Babcock (1965) and Mr A Larkin, Philip Grandin (1975) Cubmasters were Mrs J Babcock (1964/65) winning the 1965 Cub Efficiency Thophy and Joan Groom (1975). In August 1991 they became Air Scouts and renamed themselves the 6th Cambridge Air Scouts. The Pack was restarted in November 1991 and their meeting place was the Catholic Youth Centre in Queen Street.
1st East London - It is likely that they met on the West Bank side of town and from a 1935 newspaper cutting it was reported that: - Just a few words from the busiest troop this side of the Zambesi! Yes, and when I say busy, I mean it. We have 45 in the troop now, and our motto is, "Every Boy Scout bring another boy," until we reach a hundred. Then, only, will our Scoutmaster be satisfied. You talk about energy! Let me tell you something of the energy of our troop. We have been holding a series of Patrol Camps, and this is where some of the Patrols went with trek-cart: Leach Bay via Orange Grove and Prince George Circuit, Fuller's Bay over the veld, Bonza Bay, and Nahoon via the new Cemetery. Well, that's a bit of what we were doing in the past four months. As for the future - well, that remains to be seen, as the monkey said. F. J. Devenish, Troop Leader. Active in the 1930's and 1940's and then we hear that they attended the 1975 BP Camporee. Cubmasters were; E Paton (1946), E Nicoll (1951) and A Jones (1955). They won the Cub Efficiency Trophy in 1932/47/52/53.
2nd East London - They were active in May 1930 as there is a report that the Selborne Cubs played Soccer against them. The Pack won the 1930 Cub Efficiency Trophy. Their Troop came second in the inaugural 1943 Gilwood Trophy and won it the following year. They participated in the 1950 event and then records for the group only reappear in 1963 when they entered a team for the BP Camporee. Scoutmasters were K Longbottom (1949), R Morris (1950), P Mackie (1953) and M Hansen (1972). Cubmasters were; T Dodds (1948) and G Goddard (1957).
3rd East London (Malcomess Home) - The Pack won the 1939 Cub Efficiency Trophy and the Troop participated in the 1943 Gilwell Trophy, the 1965 Border Efficiency Trophy and the BP Camporee in 1966/67/69/75. In 1966 it was reported that they were still going strong with Scoutmaster L Meiring and again in 1975 under Harry Gray.
4th East London (St Saviour's Anglican) - Only records are some photos from the 1920's. Cubmasters were; I Durno (1943/48) and J Dodds (1952)
5th East London (Catholic) - They met at Our Lady's Hall in Albany Street. This Troop was one of the nine troops that participated in the first 1943 Gilwell Trophy and was very active in the 1960's and 1970's participating in the following competitions: - Border Efficiency 1964 - 1971, BP Camporee 1962 - 1971 and Gilwood Trophy 1943 - 1967. Their Scouters were George and Ted English. Cubmasters were Br Raphael (1940), N McNally (1950), D Brayton (1964) and Mrs D Westphal (1972). The Pack won the 1959 Cub Efficiency Trophy.
7th East London (Jewish) - The only records to hand is that they won the 1927 Cub Efficiency Trophy in 1927.
7th East London (De Waal) - (Possibly also be known as 10th East London). In 1918, the administrator of the Cape, Sir Frederick de Waal, attended a ceremony on the school campus. He laid a foundation stone and named the school De Waal primary. This school catered for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of which suffered from malnutrition. Miss Curle became the Principal in 1956 and was succeeded by Mr Pieterse when she retired in 1978. They had an active Cub Pack winning the 1963 Cub Efficiency Trophy and in February 1964 attended the BP Camp at Gilwood. At some point the Cubmaster was a Miss Jesson. Unfortunately, the school was forced to close in 1988 due to a decrease in numbers. The school lay vacant and was vandalised by vagrants and was soon in a state of complete disrepair.
9th East London (Scottish) (1926 – 1994) - It was on the suggestion of the honorary District Commissioner Mr Matthew Wilson that a Scottish Troop be formed at the St George's Church and to discuss the proposal, a meeting of members of the church was held on the 4th of March 1926. The meeting was chaired by Reverend Dr. Douglas, who stated that the church had for years provided many of the workers in the Scout movement in East London, and these young men had been so busy doing what they could for the Scouts throughout the town that they did not have time to form a church Troop and it was for this purpose the meeting convened. This meeting was attended by such well-known men as the District Commissioner Lt. Col. Smedley Williams and Mr Matthew Wilson. Speaking in support, Lt. Col. Smedley Williams felt that the Troop would be good for the church, for the Caledonian Society and for the Scotsmen generally, he also suggested that the kilt should be adopted as the dress for the Troop.
A troop committee was promptly formed and Mr Norman Watson, who was a solicitor in Alice was elected as first Scoutmaster and Mr W C Fayre was appointed as Assistant Scoutmaster. The Athol of Murray Tartan was selected for the troop as the first Scoutmaster's second name was Murray, it was also considered a more suitable tartan for the boys as it was a dark tartan.
It was a proud and excited committee when, at its meeting held on the 4th February 1927, the kilts, sporrans, scarves and flags were displayed for inspection and at a special parade held in the church on Sunday the 13th, the flags were dedicated and presented to the Guides and Scouts.
A Cub Pack was formed following a meeting held on the 30th of March 1927, where it was agreed by all members of the committee that Miss Dorothy Small be appointed Cubmistress. Miss Small was so keen to become Cubmistress that arrangements were made for her to accompany the Jamboree contingent to Great Britain in 1929, to undergo a course of special training as the Akela at Gilwell Park, England. The Cub Pack put their skills leart to the test winning the Cub Efficiency Trophy in 1941/43/45/61.
In the mid-1960's the group had to sadly sever ties with the St George's Church and were asked to leave the church hall as it was required for a youth club which the church intended starting. As the group was literally left 'out in the cold' the Cubs and Scouts became a tribe of nomads, wandering from hall to hall in search of a suitable meeting place and in May 1966 starting at the old Scout headquarters in Fleet Street.
Relocated to the suburbs
Scouting was beginning to flourish in the suburbs with new Troops starting up and old established troops which had been operating in the city centre for many years folding up. In order to survive and to try and maintain its links with a Scottish tradition, the group moved to the Sterling Presbyterian Church. Unfortunately, they did not really get the support we were looking for and moved again, this time to the St Michaels Anglican Church in Nahoon. Here the Troop met for a few years, but the Pack meetings were held in the Berea Baptist Church. An approach was then made to Mr Vincent the principal of Hudson Primary School to use the school hall for a common meeting place for the pack and the troop, and happily they were accepted, moving to the school in April 1985.
Technically, as they were no longer sponsored, they were wearing the kilt illegally, but this was rectified when they became affiliated to the East London Caledonian Society. The group was originally known as the St George's Scout Troop, and after leaving St Georges Church they had to remove the patron saint of Scouts name from the group name tab, they were now registered as 9th East London Scottish Group, and were then the only registered group that bore the name of East London on its name tab.
Jamborees and Competitions
The group was represented at a number of World Jamborees going back to 1929 when their first King Scout, Roy Hector, had the honour of representing the Troop at the 3rd World Jamboree at Arrow Park in Great Britain, being one of 405 South Africans. Roy was to pursue his Scouting career eventually becoming Scoutmaster of the troop. Mr Owen Knibbs, who was a Cub in the pack during the mid-1930's, had the Honour of being present at the 1936 South African Jamboree which was held in East London. In 1957 David Trickett, Bruce Cumming and Lionel Clark went to the 9th World Jamboree in England. Peter Laurence attended the 14th World Jamboree in Lillhammer, Norway in1975 and John Goldsmid, went to the Jamboree in Switzerland In 1979.
The Pack and Troop entered most of the area's events and competitions and the Scouts in 1982 won the prestigious Gilwood Trophy.
Golden Jubilee 1986
The Golden Jubilee celebrations took the form of a week end camp on the 9/10/11 May at Gilwood Scout Campsite. Invitations went out to old Scouts, Scouters, committee members and friends to attend the various celebrations. On the Saturday afternoon, these consisted of entertainment by East London Caledonian Band, a tea party with the cutting of Birthday cake, a speech and toast by Mr E Glass the President of the Border Scout Councill and a dog display by the Police Dog Unit. The evening started off with a Braai and ended with a traditional Scout Campfire.
Sunday morning's activities included, various bases displaying Scout and Cub items, planting indigenous trees at Gilwood and a Scouts Own service. Tea was then served for parents and friend and this was followed by the release of dozens of 'peace' ballons. A very enjoyable celebration came to an end at noon when the camp closed.
Photo Gallery
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60th Anniversary Badge
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60th Anniversary cake
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Gateway to camp
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Looking smart in their kilts
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Evidence of Scouting skills
Sadly, by 1994 with no Scouters they joined up with 1st Vincent and a year later the group officially closed and the remaining 3 Cubs joining 1st Vincent.
Top Scout Awards
| Date | Surname | Name | King, Queen, Springbok, Chief Scout's Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | Hector | Roy | King |
| 1928 | Strunch | Joycelyn | King |
| 1928 | Newman | N | King |
| 1950 | Adam | Gregory | King |
| 1950 | Birch | Colin Oswald | King |
| 1950 | Birch | Samuel George | King |
| 1950 | Clark | Robin | King |
| 1951 | Birch | Federich Charles | King |
| 1951 | Cleland | Ronald Edmond G | King |
| 1952 | Moekillican | William John | Queen |
| 1952 | Thorraldsen | Ronald | Queen |
| 1952 | Knight | Colin George | Queen |
| 1953 | Wienand | Francis Richard | Queen |
| 1953 | Wilcox | Colin | Queen |
| 1957 | Cumming | Bruce | Queen |
| 1957 | Godfrey | Dudley | Queen |
| 1957 | Clark | Lionel | Queen |
| 1957 | Melville | Godfrey Dudley | Queen |
| 1957 | Riddel | Donald John James | Queen |
| 1962 | Fisher | Keith E J | Springbok |
| 1962 | Bradfield | G N | Springbok |
| 1965 | Bradley | John E | Chief Scout's Award |
| 1967 | Parrish | Robin | Chief Scout's Award |
| 1967 | Pitcher | Malcolm | Chief Scout's Award |
| 1977 | Barker | Guy John | Springbok |
| 1977 | Drage | Robin | Springbok |
| 1977 | Laurence | Peter | Chief Scout's Award |
| 1977 | Goldsmit | John | Chief Scout's Award |
| 1982 | De Villiers | Leon Dwayne | Springbok |
| 1982 | Field | Wilfred John | Springbok |
| 1983 | Field | Lionel Joffer | Springbok |
| 1988 | Adlard | James | Springbok |
| 1989 | Graham | Craig Malcom | Springbok |
| 1989 | Graham | Stephen Michael | Springbok |
Group Scoutmasters
Mr Bert Butler (1947/51), Donald J J Riddell (1986)
Scoutmasters
Norman Watson (1926), Roy Hector (1930), Edgar "Eggs" Maree (1937), Neville Randell (1939/49), N Rondeau (1943). G Bezuidenhout (1947), Gordon Bell (1947), Dennis Pitcher (1948/51), G Bezuidenhout (1951), K Longbottom (1951), Ronald Cleland (1953), Sam Birch (1954), Harry Thackeray (1957), C Nye (1959), Dennis Pitcher (1960/63), N J Bennie (1963), Donald J Riddell (1963/73), Terry Johnson (1973), Wally Moyce, Phillip Brown, Donald J Riddell (1979) and Tony Slight.
Pack Scouters
Betty Small (1928), J Augston (1948), M Bennett (1951), N Clark (1955/57), L Macready (1957), A Ridge (1964), Martha Field (1982) and Denise Cave (1986).
The Rover Leader of the East London crew was the group's own Mr Neville Randell.
10th East London - They participated in the first ever Gilwood Trophy in 1943, coming 7th out of 9 teams. Throughout the 1940's, 50's and 60's their name appears as participants having entered all the various Divisional Competitions and activities. Some of the Scoutmasters were: - J Wilson (1948), G Seach (1954), E Friend (1956) and Ronald Cleland (1957).
11th East London (St John's) - They met at St John's Anglican Church in lower Oxford street. In 1944 they entered the Gilwood Trophy, but they really set a record when they won the Swimming Trophy every year from 1951 to 1957. Rex Abbot was the Scoutmaster the 1960's and 1970's and reportedly ran a 'Good Scout Troop'. Cubmasters were E Collins (1947), J Thesen (1955), P Scott (1959) and D Beckett (1964). In 1957 and 1958 the Cubs won the Cub Efficiency Trophy.
12th East London (1935) - In December 1935 a newspaper cutting reported that: - The East London Sea Scouts are now as happy as a beach sandpiper, for their boat has arrived from Simonstown. This was a boat promised them by Admiral Evans when he opened their Hut on July 24 last. The boat cost the Troop £30, and is, in the opinion of everybody, highly satisfactory and well found. The 1st Lieutenant of H.M.S. Carlisle has proved himself a true friend of the Troop, for when the boat was brought on board his ship at Simonstown, he decided that it would be better if he refitted the boat with all new running-gear. This he did, and when the boat was turned over to the Sea Scouts everything was in first-class condition. The boat has been out on the river under oars, and has proved itself very suitable for the boys to handle with a full crew, and its trim lines have brought a deal of attention amongst those people who use the river. Now that the Sea Scouts have their own hut and their own boat, they have achieved what they set out to do a little over a year ago, and recruits are now coming forward at almost every parade. The Regatta boat's crew is under strict training for December 16, and much is expected from the boys who are to represent the Scout Movement against the Naval Cadets.
Scoutmasters from the early days were: - A Tobias (1941), W Bofer (1946) and P Prins (1949). They also participated in the inaugural 1943 Gilwood Trophy and won the Swimming Trophy in the late 1950's and 1960's. The Cubmasters were; M Hazel (1956), S Rees (1957) and Mrs E Turner (1964/65).
13th East London - This Troop was designated as a Junior Scout Troop and Cubs 'going up' from Selborne in February 1931 joined this Troop. They did however have their own Cub Pack.
15th East London (Victoria) - This Troop won the first ever Gilwood Trophy in 1943 and the Swimming Trophy in 1948/49/50. H Gahler was in 1950 their Scoutmaster. The Cubs won the Cub Efficiency Trophy in 1937 and 1940.
Selborne It appears from the records that the name Selbourne was first used in the 1930's and then again around the 1960's.
Selborne / 6th East London - Although their logbook starts in April 1930, the Pack must have been up and running for a while as they won the 1928 and 1929 Cub Efficiency Trophy. The Akela was Sims and the ACM's were C Manners-Wood and N Forword. There were 28 boys on the roll and they met on a Wednesday afternoon in the Bryant Hall. Mention is made of a poor turnout because of 'College Sports', so they could have been linked to the Selborne School. Played soccer against 1st EL, 2nd EL and 12th EL, but also did well in the 1930 annual Cub Competition, coming second. There must have been a Troop as it is documented that in August a 'Going Up Ceremony' of three Cubs to the Troop too place and was part of a joint meeting with the Cubs and Troop. In September the Pack received their flag.
In June 1931 the Chief Scout visited East London and the Pack was part of the stunt that the Cubs performed. The Pack participated in the Annual Divisional Cub Camp which was held at Gonubie. In those days it was a whole week and was enjoyed by all. During the summer months they often held their Pack meeting at the Eastern Beach.
Up until the middle of 1936 Sims is recorded as the Akela, having been assisted over the years by Holmes and later by Fleming, but sadly the Logbook ends in August 1936 and with it the history of this group.
1st Selborne (Sea Scouts) / 12th East London - This group met at the Selborne Primary School and the Scoutmasters were Buddy Wilkinson, T Cleland and M Richards in 1972 and Cedric Barker (1975). They participated in the 1968, 1971, 1973 and the 1975 Border Efficiency Shield that was held in Stutterheim. They won the Cub Efficiently Trophy in 1971 and 1972.
East London Rover Scouts (Elcam) - Referring to a 1931 logbook, the East London and Districts Rover Crew was formed on the 14th of May 1931. Although only small in numbers they were quite active helping out where needed, but very keen on hiking as reflected by the photos in their logbook. In June Baden Powell himself signed their logbook, wishing them well. They also instructed the Pathfinder Masters (Native) in compass and mapping work. On the first anniversary of the Crew, it was decided that it had served its purpose and would be disbanded with view to forming a Rover Scout Council with all of the Crews having representation on the council with their Den becoming the Headquarters. By 1933 it was reported that there were 6 Crews in the Border area, those being 4th East London, 9th East London, King Williams Town, Sterkstroom, Barkley East, Fort Beaufort plus 1st East London were about to form a Crew.
Another logbook starting in November 1939 and running for only six months, refers to the Central Rover Crew. Initially they held their meetings in the St Peter's Church Hall. However, on the 10th January 1940 it was recorded that they moved into their new den called 'The Loft' at the Malcomess House orphanage. Other than assisting Scout Groups, they supported the underprivileged children of East London, a highlight being the annual children's dinner at a local hotel. Hermann Wilhelm Malcomess (1848-1921), was the German Consul in East London, who built a large distinguished home in St. Peter's Road, Southernwood. It was utilised as an orphanage after his death and was called 'Malcomess House'. Demolished by neglect in the late 1980's, it made way for an undistinguished retail development.
1st Gonubie (1960's - 2000's) - The group was formed in the mid 1960's and met in the Gonubie MOTH Hall, they held their first troop camp in 1963 together with 2nd Cambridge. Former Scoutmaster Colin Bailey led the young Scouts from the early 1970s. It would seem that the heydays were in the 1970s and 1990's when they had 40 boys at a meeting. The Group Scouter was David Hasses, Troop Scouter Colin Bailey and Pack Scouter Shirley Wantenaar. The main reason it was so good over this period was because of committed adult volunteers. There were hiking and camping activities nearly every weekend and they had parents who helped with these outings and with the fund-raising. They also entered the Border Efficiency Shield in 1975
The group started petering out in the late 1990s when uniformed adults and parents dropped off and so did the activities. This lack of adult involvement in the troop led to a downturn in its popularity and the troop closed down in the early 2000s. The building in 2015 was church.
2nd Gonubie Sea Scouts - They participated in the 1975 BP Camporee and were active in 2018 as it was reported that: - on Saturday 25th August, 1st Cambridge and 2nd Gonubie got together for some Backwoods cooking last night. The photos below are from their February 2019 visit to the Thomas River Historical Village where the management commented " My compliments to the parents and Scout Masters on your well-disciplined scouts"
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1st Nahoon Sea Scout (1966 - 2000's) - The Group was formed in the mid 1960's having previously been known as 4th Cambridge. Their meeting place was in Princess Alice Drive at the mouth of the Nahoon River, East London. They were regular participants in the Border Efficiency Shield and Gilwell Trophies and won the swimming Trophy in 1986. The Cubs won the Cub Efficiency Trophy in 1967 and 1968. In 1972 their Scoutmaster was Mr N Thesen. The Pac Scouter in 1982 was Mrs M Bailey. Records in the archives also cover the mid 1990's, and from this some insight can be gleaned of the group's activities.
In 1993 with the introduction of girls into the troop, it had grown to 36 Scouts. Sailing took up much of the troops time, entering various regatta's, but this did not exclude hiking and attending the BP Camp at Gilwood. Their water skills ensured them wining the Kontiki competition. Cub numbers kept growing and it was decided to split the pack with Saturday and Friday meetings, however towards the end of 1994 the two had with much enthusiasm amalgamated and continued to be very active. Around this period the Group Scouter was Brett Harris, Pack Scouter Marilyn Barrell and Troop Scouter R Hiles. Highlights for the Scouts were: - 6 regattas, 3 hikes, Area Quiz at Gilwood, BP Camp at Gilwood and sailing on Saturday mornings. The 1995 the keenness was such that the Saturday morning sailing coaching classes continued and this paid off when at the Inter-school's regatta, the Scouts took a number of individual first places. The Pack too were doing very well and received the Silver Star Award for excellence.
At some point in the early 2000's the group closed and the premises taken over by the Border Canoe Club.
1st Vincent (1991 - Active) - The old 2nd Cambridge in July 1991 changed its name to 1st Vincent. The Group Scouter was Heini Smidt, Troop Scouter Duncan Oelschig and Pack Scouter D-J Hodgkinson. At some point in time the Scout Troop stopped being active but has seen a revival in 2024. Troop Scouter at present is Craig du Plessis, assisted by Assistant TS Sharon du Plessis and Assistant TS Denver Bright.
In 1957 there were around 11 groups active in the Cape Border Division, these were – East London 2nd, 5th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th, King Williams Town 1st and 2nd, Umtata 1st and 2nd and Queenstown 1st and 2nd.
In 1992 there were about 15 groups active in Cape Border Division, these were - 1st Cambridge, 1st Vincent, 6th Cambridge, 9th East London, 1st Nahoon, 1st Beacon Bay, 1st Gonubie and 1st Alphendale. The Country Groups were 2nd King Williams' Town, 1st Stutterheim, 1st Fort Beaufort, 1st Queenstown, 1st Barkley East and 2nd Stutterheim (St Kiziti)
1st Cambridge - Milestones in the history of the group 1916 to 1975
Complied by ex-Scoutmaster Brian Thomas
The early years
The first Group Committee Meeting was held in 1916 in the Anteroom of the Cambridge Town Hall on 27th July. The Troop then known as Boy Scouts “Cambridge Troop”. The first Troop meeting was held on Saturday afternoon 29th July at 2.30pm, in the Town Hall. The following year a Cub Pack started, but it closed down at the end of the year. Like many Troops at the time, they had a Bugle Band.
During the First World War (1914/18) the Troop offered their services which included the period of the Influenza Epidemic and for this they received a financial reward from the Cambridge Municipality. This money was put towards the purchase of a Trek Cart that was imported from England.
The 1920's saw Scouts W Adcock, W Evans and E Bate as part of a group of nine from East London who were in the South African Contingent to the 1st World Scout Jamboree held at Olympia in London in 1920. Scoutmaster R Weare presented the Troop with its first Troop Flag, and also an Inter-Patrol Competition Shield which was contested in the next year. Troop strength was now 60, and the Cub Pack was resuscitated. In 1927 the District Scoutmaster W Adcock took the Troop on an exciting train trip to the Victoria Falls and back. Nearly the whole Troop attended the First South African Jamboree held near the Eastern Beach. The Chief Scout of the World Lord Baden-Powell was present on his very last visit to South Africa. He had been in South Africa on ten occasions over nearly 50 years. Over this period the Scoutmasters were: H G Rev Wood (1916/17), R Graham (1917/19), R K Weare (1919/22), W Adcock (1922/26) and A Davie (1931/32).
A last their own permanent home
Towards the end of the 1930's Mr John Powell donated a substantial amount towards a fund for the erection of a Scout Hall in Cambridge and in 1938 the Troop moved into its new headquarters the John Powell Scout and Guide Hall. The following year their Group Scoutmaster H Archer was awarded the Scout General Service Medal.
The Hogsback was a popular site for both Troop and the District Camps which were led by Bill Bucknell at Hobiton-on-Hogsback. The Group also attended the 1955 year end Border Jamborally held at Gilwood and were represented by Scoutmaster Edgar Maree and ASM Brian Thomas plus 14 Scouts.
The 50 Year Jubilee of Scouting was celebrated in 1957, and they sent four Scouts on a three-month trip to the Jubilee Jamboree that was held at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, England. A special 1st Cambridge Jubilee Year Standard made by Mrs L Thomas was taken to the Jamboree and signatures of all 350 members of the South African Contingent were collected on the back of it. The Standard was hung in the Scout Hall for many years. Scoutmaster Edgar Maree, who had recently been awarded the Medal of Merit, in 1958 took the Troop on a train trip to Pietermaritzburg and Durban and back. Ten Senior Scouts attended a winter camp at Hogsback. P/L K Webb and P/Sec R. Ker-fox attended the 1959 Central African Jamboree at Ruwa Park, Salisbury. In March, Sixty-Six Cubs from Cambridge and East London held a camp at Hobbiton in the Hogsback. The Cubs Annual Camp was at Gilwood in October. The Troop with 3 Scouters and 49 Scouts was now the largest on the Border.
Over this period the Scoutmasters were: A Borchers (1940), F W Evans (1940/46), K B Bruton (1946/48), C J Fick (1948/51) and E A Maree (1953/59).
1960's and 1970's
The Troop was represented at the 1960 Cape Western Jamborally at Simonstown by 10 Scouts and the A.C.M. As an experiment the Troop was split into a Senior Scout section of 15, and 30 Scouts in the junior section, however this was not successful and once again combined. Camps were held at Aliwal North and in 1964 Scouts, B. Maree, A. Leach, R. Sieborger and B. Wettergreen attended the South African National Jamboree held at Chase Valley, Pietermaritzburg. In the same year Scouts, C. Maree, B. Wettergreen, R. Sieborger, G. Codd and T. Collins attended the Cape Midlands Jamborally in Port Elizabeth. Advancement and progress within the badge system were also a priority with Scouts B. Maree, A. Leach, R. Sieborger, and N. Hinwood. Receiving their Chief Scouts Badge from the Chief Scout Colonel Johnstone.
In 1966 the Group celebrated their 50 Year Birthday on 29 July - a finger supper on the Friday night followed by entertainment – Pick-a-Box and stunts on the Saturday followed by a Campfire and Bring & Braai – on Sunday a Scouts Own and an address by a former Mayor of E.L. and 1st Cambridge Scout, Fred Fox.
The decade ended with a combined camp at Hogsback with 2nd Cambridge organised by Bill Buckell, David Scholl represented the Troop at the 1967 International Jamboree at Lourenco Marques, seven Scouts and S.M. H. Zuidema join with 1st Umtata in a hike from the Bashee River to the Kei River and three Scouts C. Maree, D. Scholl, and C. Roberts received their Chief Scouts Badge from the Chief Scout Colonel Johnstone.
Outdoor activities continued into the 1970's when four Scouts participated in a 50-mile Toughees Hike from KWT to Stutterheim and in judging the Toughees Hike Log Book Competition, A. Sieborger, F. Nelson and A. Nelson were placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. In 1972 - A.S.M. Clive Maree and three Scouts attended a Western Cape Division Scout/Guide Adventure in the Cedarberg Mountains. Troop was represented by four Patrol Leaders at the Nardouberg Hike near Graaf-Reinet.
Over this period the Scoutmasters were: F Evans (1940), K Bruton (1946), C Fick (1949/51), Edgar Maree (1953), B K Thomas (1959/61), S O'Leary (1962/62), M Wilmot (1962/63), H Zuidema (1965/67), L Brown (1969/70), R Page (1971/73) and D Taylor (1973). In 1986 the Pack Scouter was L D Robinson.