TROOP NIGHT PROGRAMMES (1932-1945)
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1. INTRODUCTION
Since there are no Troop Logs for the 1930s, it is not possible to describe with any certainty what a typical Troop meeting was like during that period. However, the Troop Log of 1939-43 and the Peewit Patrol log of 1943-45 provide good evidence of what took place during the war years, and it is likely that the programmes that were run during the 1930s were very similar to those run from 1939-1945. Wilson Hill (Fig. 1) was the man in charge for most of the war years and, since he had been a 70th Scout during the 1930s, it seems reasonable to suppose that he would have run the Troop programme in much the same way as he had experienced as a Scout. On the other hand, there were a number of factors in play during the war years that suggest some caution in making that assumption. For example, Wilson was a man of intellect and imagination, and he was not afraid of trying out new ideas. In addition, the war years probably provided a 'cross-fertilisation' of ideas, games and activities due to the number of Scouts and Leaders who joined the Troop from others parts of the country, such as Portsmouth. Therefore, although many of the games and activities described in this chapter may well have been carried out during the 1930s, others could equally well have been introduced by ‘southern incomers'. There were also occasional joint meetings with other local Groups such as the 1st Gourock and the 'Dandy 5th' which may also have introduced different games and activities to the programme.
Figure 1 Wilson Hill - the backbone of the Troop during the war years
12.2 GENERAL PROGRAMME PLAN
Troop programmes almost certainly started at 7.30 pm during the 1930s, but this was altered to 6.45 pm during the war years in order to save electricity and to take more advantage of what daylight there was. It is not known with any certainty how long troop meetings lasted, but they were no shorter than 1.5 hours and they were probably closer to 2 hours. The evening started with flagbreak and inspection, and closed with a prayer and flagdown. The rest of the programme varied from wek to week, but usually included games, badgework, and other activities. There was usually some time set aside for each patrol to work on its own - an innovation introduced by Ian Dunlop. This was variously called 'Patrols working in corners', 'Patrol corners' or 'Patrol half hour', but the term 'Patrol Corners' eventually stuck and operated into the modern era. During this period, patrols worked on Scout tests together. When Mr. Chalmers appeared on the scene in 1942, time was also set aside for 'patrols in council' which possibly involved the patrols planning and discussing various things. However, this seemed to be a temporary phase. Indoor Campfires were also held fairly frequently, but not on a weekly basis. These involved songs, stunts, yarns and stories. Ian Dunlop (GSM during the 1930s) had a particularly good reputation for telling Scouting yarns. Sometimes there was drill, but this seemed to be restricted to preparations for forthcoming church parades.
Figure 2
Ian Dunlop
Figure 3
Mr. Chalmers
12.3 UNIFORM STANDARDS
It is clear from photographs of the period that uniform standards were high, especially during the 1930s. Scouts wore uniform for everything, whether that be troop meetings, hikes, cycling expeditions, wastepaper collections, or camps (Figs..).
Figure 3 Cooking at Everton (1940)
Figure 4 Floating fire - Right of Way hike 1941
Figure 5 Cycle trip to Glan Masson (1942)
The uniform consisted of a wide-brimmed Scout hat, dark green long-sleeved shirt, neckerchief, woggle and lanyard, Scout belt, kilt and sporran, long socks, green garter tabs and black shoes. The ends of the neckerchiefs were knotted together in one single knot, although Ian Dunlop appears to be doing his own thing in the 1937 group photo. The neckerchief was described as having the colours 'gold and nigger' although it was really yellow and brown. The main colour was yellow and it had a brown fringe. The description gold and nigger is considered racist these days, but that was not the case back in the 1930s and 1940s. Indeed, this colour description for the neckerchief was used officially well into the 1980s or 1990s. Lanyards were worn rather loosely and went under the shoulder epaulettes with the end tucked into the left hand shirt pocket. This would normally have a whistle attached at the end. Shirt sleeves were sometimes rolled up, sometimes not. From the waist up, the uniform of the 1930s was essentially identical in style and shade. However, there would have been variability from the waist down. Scouts in the 70th generally had their own kilts and so there would have be a variety of tartans. It is also noticeable that there were different colours of socks. Some appear to be fawn and others are darker - possibly green or blue. Kilts appear to have been worn in preference to shorts, even on hikes and camps, but there are times when some Scouts are seen wearing knee length shorts of a dark colour (probably blue) (Figs. 7 and 8). Longs were never worn and were not considered the 'done thing'. Scouts could also carry Scout staves (Fig. 9) which were normally 6 feet long and made of ash. Patrol Leaders wore a silver metal PL's badge on their hat (Fig. 10).
Figure 6
Lanyard and neckerchief
Figure 7
Pioneering during a Right of Way hike
Figure 8
Collecting firewood behind Everton
Figure 9
Carrying Scout staves on a hike to Everton via Cornalees
Figure 10
Robin McDougall with PL's Hat Badge
On the 7th February 1941, a Code of Troop regulations defining accepted uniform standards was inaugurated and displayed on the Troop Noticeboard. These were as follows;
1. Neckerchiefs must be secured at the throat by a woggle. The loose ends of the neckerchief must be tied in a single neat knot. The neckerchief must be twisted between the woggle and the knot.
2. Woggles must be of the approved Troop pattern
3. Lanyards must pass under the shoulder straps of the shirt and over the peak of the neckerchief. Lanyards must be crossed in front of the neckerchief and the loose end tucked into the left-hand breast pocket.
4. All ranks must wear their hats at Flag-break and Inspection.
5. All ranks must wear their hats during Dismissal Parade.
6. All Patrol-Leaders must carry their staves, on which they must fly their patrol flag at Flagbreak, Inspection and dismissal parade.
7. The Troop-Leader must carry his stave at Flag-break, Inspection and Dismissal Parade.
8. On all occasions when the Troop parades facing the Flag, as at Flag-break, Inspection and Dismissal Parade, the Patrol-Leaders shall stand in line down the middle of the hall, each a few paces in front of his Patrol and with his back to it.
9. On all occasions when the Troop parades facing the Flag, as at Flag-break, Inspection and Dismissal Parade, the Second Patrol Leaders shall each stand in line with their patrol and on its right hand side, facing with the patrol
10. On all occasions when the Troop parades facing the Flag as at Flag-break, Inspection and Dismissal parade, the Troop Leader shall stand on the right-hand side of the officer in charge, facing the Troop.
11. Rules 8-10 do not apply to any Dismissal Parade held in the form of a Horse-shoe as is occasionally done.
12. Sheath knives must not be carried by any member of the Troop to private Church Parades
13. Sheath knives must not be carried by any member of the Troop other than the Warrant Officers (G.S.M., S.M., ASM's,) to Troop Meetings
13 Sheath knives should be carried (if possessed) to all Association Parades
14 Clasp-knives may be carried by all ranks at all times
15 The Patrol-Leader, whose patrol holds the Patrol Competition Pennant will fly it on his staff immediately below his patrol flag.
It would be wrong to think that these rules only came into operation from this date. The 1937 photo shows that the uniform rules regarding neckerchiefs and lanyards were already in operation at that point and presumably most of the other rules were already established in the Troop.
There were no specific rules on how to wear the Scout hat and it tended to be worn in a number of styles that included slanted, square on and tilted back (Fig. 11). However, the rules on wearing neckerchiefs were strict and they had to be very well ironed. The woggle also had to be pushed all the way up to the neck. George Brown recalled that 70th Scouts felt superior to other youth groups because they wore the kilt. Indeed, he recalled that the Scouts remained in full uniform (including kilt and neckerchief) throughout the meeting, even for games.
Figure 12 Different styles for wearing the Scout hat
It is noticeable that as the war progressed, there was an increasing variation in uniform. This can be illustrated by comparing the Troop photos of 1937 and 1942 (Figs. 13 and 14). In the 1942 photograph, the shirts are varied in shade, and one Scout is wearing a khaki Scout uniform. This was due to a significant influx of new members who had moved to Greenock from England with their families. Naturally, if they had been Scouts in England, they already had their own uniforms. It is also noticeable that four Scouts are wearing school uniform. With war time rationing, it became increasingly difficult to purchase Scout uniforms and it is not even known whether they were still being made during the war. Uniform problems were an issue across the country during the war, and there was a feeling that the government showed a lack of consideration for the voluntary uniformed youth organisations, compared to the new pre-service cadet units which received free uniforms and government backing.
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Figure 13 The Group photograph of 1937
Figure 14 The Troop photograph of 1942
If Scouts could not get a proper Scout uniform then they wore school uniform on Scout activities. For example, some Scouts wore school uniform on a hike to Everton in March 1942 where a series of tests on axemanship and firelighting was carried out. Presumably, they turned up at school reeking of woodsmoke the next week (Fig. 15).
Figure 15 Axemanship and firelighting at Everton (1942)
12.4 TROOP NIGHT INSPECTIONS
According to George Brown (Fig. 16) who was Troop Leader from 1941-44, the patrols lined up as described in section 12.3 facing east (with their backs to Madeira Street). This differed from the 1960s when the patrols stood round the sides of the hall.
When the instruction was made to come to attention, there was a great stamping of feet, but not in a military manner. A favourite trick before this took place was to go into the coal bunker at the side and balance the lid of the bin such that it fell off with a clatter a couple of seconds after coming to attention. Once everyone was at the alert, the Scout Master would inspect the patrols accompanied by the Troop Leader. No points were awarded and it was fairly informal.
Figure 16 George Brown
12.5 TROOP GAMES
Typical games and relay races played during the war years included the Pin Game, O'Grady, Throwing the Shoe, Corner Ball, Corner Ball (using bean bags). Throw the Bean Bag in the Circle, Through Legs, Whack Back, Chase round the Circle, Hop Bump, Dog and Bone, British Bulldog, Pic-a back Fight, Horse Fighting, Riders and Horse, Charades, Hide and Seek, Chase, Stave Obstacle Game, Rats and Rabbits, Tug o War, Arch Ball, Hit Boy in Centre, Over Under, One Under, Falling in in Formations, King of the Ring, Hot Pies, Cat and Mouse, Cock Fighting, Hindenberg Fire, Hindenberg Line, Robbing the Blind Man, Handball, and Stone Age Football.
The Troop Leader for much of this period was George Brown and he stated that the most popular game by far was the Pin Game. This was far more popular than British Bulldog, and was played virtually every night - a fact that is backed up by the log books. The game involved Scouts forming a circle and clasping hands. In the centre, there was a dumbbell on its end and the idea was to try and force one of the Scouts in the circle to touch the dumbbell without breaking the circle. Anyone touching the dumbbell was out and the winner was the last person standing. Presumably if the circle broke, the Scouts responsible were also out. This game reappeared in later years and was called Poisoned Chair since a chair was used instead of the dumbbell.
Dog and Bone involved the troop dividing into two teams which faced each other about 6 metres apart and numbered off. An object was placed between the two teams and when the number was called the relevant Scouts on each side tried to get the object back to their own team without being touched. Scouts could only be 'tagged' once they had got the object.
British Bulldog became the most favourite Troop game in post war years, but it was a late addition to the Troop's repertoire of games. The first mention of it being played was in Gourock at a joint Troop meeting with the 1st Gourock Troop in November 1942. It was not played again until the 1st Gourock made a return visit to the 70th in January 1943. British Bulldog involved one or two volunteers/victims standing in the middle of the hall. When the whistle blew, the rest of the troop charged from one end to the other and the Scout(s) in the middle had to capture who they could. To catch anyone they had to lift them off the floor for as long as it took to say British Bulldog 1, 2, 3. Scouts who were caught then joined those in the middle and the winner was the last Scout to be caught. The started to get played more frequently towards the end of the war, and on one occasion was played with feet tied together! Stone Age Football was another late arrival on the troop programme and on one occasion, it was also played with feet tied together. Unfortunately, the author has no idea what the rules were for this game. O' Grady involved a leader shouting out some sort of instruction. However, the Scouts were only to obey the instruction if O' Grady was said first. Otherwise, you were out.
The games Cat and Mouse and Hot Pies may have been games that were played exclusively by the 1st Gourock, since they were played at the joint meetings described above. Cat and Mouse is not a game that the author is personally acquainted with, but it has been played in recent times in some groups. Assuming the rules have not changed over the years, one Scout is delegated as the cat and one Scout is delegated as the mouse. The rest of the troop stand in a grid square arrangement and the Scouts in each line link up to form a series of parallel 'channels'. The cat then has to try and catch the mouse, while the mouse runs up and down the various corridors. When 'Switch' is called out, the Scouts in the grid release arms and turn 90 degrees to form lines at right angles to the original lines. This can often frustrate the cat just as he is about to catch up with the mouse. The rules of Hot Pies and many of the other games mentioned in the Troop log were not written down. However, one can speculate about some of them.
The game Hop Bump may well be the same as Hopping Charlie which was played in later years. This involves Scouts folding arms and hopping round the hall trying to barge others off balance, with the winner being the last Scout standing. Whack Back and Chase round the Circle might be the same game where Scouts stand in a circle facing inwards with their hands behind their back and their eyes closed. A Leader then prowls round the outside and places a rolled up newspaper into the hands of one of the Scouts. That Scout then waits a second or two to lull his neighbour into a false sense of security, then starts whacking him on the back with the newspaper. The victim then has to get a spurt on and race round the outside of the circle back to his own place, while his assailant chases him trying to keep whacking him all the way round. Pic-a Back fight, Horse-fighting and Riders and Horses may have been different names for the same game called Horses and Riders, which was played in the modern era. In this game, Scouts paired up, with one Scout acting as the horse and the other as the rider. The rider would be piggy backed by the horse and the idea was to try and unseat the other riders. The last horse and rider to remain standing was the winner.
Corner Ball was a popular game in the Troop during the war years and could be played outside. However, it is not known what the rules were.
George Brown had a vague recollection of a game where the leader would go 'Grrrr..' and then there would be some kind of action. This might have been Rats and rabbits. Robin MacDougall recalled that this game involved the leader making a long rolling 'r' noise, then shouting either rats or rabbits. Presumably, the Scouts had to do one of two actions and would be out if they got it wrong. Other than that, little else is known about the game. Ian Wallace, who joined the troop in 1944, recalled a game (the name of which eludes him) which was very popular and involved two teams. One team formed a rugby scrum and pushed against the wall of the hall for support. The other team was to try and collapse the scrum by leaping onto the backs of the opposition. The bigger the leap and the heavier the boy, the more chance of success.
Most of these games were physical, energy-releasing games - the rougher the better. However, there were also a few quieter and more thoughtful games like charades. A similar type of game was once played where one patrol acted out a scene and the other two patrols had to guess what they were acting. Robbing the Blind Man may have been a quiet game which involved a blindfolded Scout sitting in the middle of the room with an object in front of him. Other Scouts would then be given the task of trying to get the object without being heard.
Games were also used for training purposes. Kim's game involved identifying at least 16 out of 30 objects after a minute's observation. If successful, a Scout passed his Second Class observation test. A semaphore signalling game was sometimes played, and there was a variation of Dog and Bone which was played by Scout Law instead of number. The game O'Grady may also have been used to practice drill since it was sometimes referred to as Drill (O'Grady) or O'Grady on parade. On another occasion, a training game was played that involved knowledge of the flag and national symbols.
On a couple of occasions during the first half of 1940, the Scouts were allowed to play table tennis and billiards in the church. The account seems to suggest that a table tennis board and billiard table were normally present, but were usually covered up.
Finally, many of the games played by the Troop may well have been described in a book called "Games for Scouts" (Fig. 17) which was written by A. W. N. MacKenzie in the 1920s and went through several printings. A copy of this publication may well identify the rules of some of the games identified above.
Figure 17
Games for Scouts
6 ACTIVITIES
Considering the small size of the Finnart Church Hall, it is not surprising to find that the Troop did a fair number of its activities directly outside the hall, up the Lyle Hill or in MacAuleys field (Fig. 18), which was at the top of Madeira Street and ran as far as the red sandstone houses on Newton Street, then continued behind these as far as Fox Street. In the 1930s and 1940s, South Street only stretched westwards as far as Fox Street, and there were no houses on the southern side of Newton Street or on the Lyle Road above Madeira Street. McAuley, himself, lived in Newton Street and owned a bakery and tea shops in Greenock. He may also have owned the La Scala cinema.
Figure 18 Wolf Cubs in MacAuley's Field
MacAuley’s field was extremely popular as a playground for kids during the 1930s and 1940s. Although it was used as a holding field for cattle about to be slaughtered, it was normally empty of livestock and kids were usually free to roam over it. There was also a burn running through it that added further interest. For example, Ian Wallace (Ginger) of the Peewit Patrol remembered taking Dinky toys and constructing roads, townships and garages in the bank with his pals. The portion of the field on the Greenock side of the burn was flatter than the portion on the Gourock side, so the former area was best for football in the summer, while the latter area was ideal for sledging in the winter. Regular unofficial football matches took place in MacAuley’s field between teams such as the 'South Street Strollers' and the 'Chers' - made up of boys living near the South Street / Robertson Street intersection.
The 70th's Scout Troop and Wolf Cub Pack used MacAuleys Field on many occasions during the late forties and it was almost certainly used between 1933 and 1945. There are some indications that Madeira Street itself was used for games, activities and drill. This would have been perfectly feasible and safe, since there were very few cars around at the time. For example, rounders and corner ball were both played outside the front of the church on at least one occasion. There are also mentions of drill being practiced outside. Sometimes, the Troop had no option but to do its activities outside - either because the hall was being used for other purposes, or there was a church service taking place on that particular evening.
There were also extensive grounds to a large house called Balclutha (Fig. 19) which stood where the Greenock Academy used to stand. It is known that Scouts roamed these grounds after the war, but it is not known if this was permitted between 1933 and 1945.
Figure 19 Balclutha House
Many of the Troop's activities were related to Scouting skills that were part of the Second Class or First Class badges; for example, pioneering, signalling, observation, estimation and tracking. It is sobering to think that only pioneering has survived to the modern era as a core Scouting skill.
Tracking was a particularly popular activity at the time was tracking and there are various occasions when this took place. Typically, one patrol would lay a trail and the other patrols were to try and follow it. Another patrol would then set a trail and so on. This may have involved following chalk marks along the roads or natural signs in fields. Tracking was also popular in camp. George Brown remembered tracking games in camp involving a whiffle-poof (Fig. 20). This was an oak log studded with nails. A stout cord was attached to the log and Scouts were sent off dragging the log such that it jumped and scarred the ground behind and left trails for the perceptive to follow.
Figure 20 The Whiffle-poof.
The following description of a whiffle-poof was provided in a publication called "Scout Games" by A. W. N. MacKenzie
All hail the Whiffle-poof; for this strange beast has come to stay.
What, you may ask, is it?
Well, the Whiffle-poof is a little instrument for laying a trail. It is made of a piece of wood about 3 inches in diameter and 10 inches long. This is driven full of nails.
When dragged through the grass, the playing field, the road or the underbush, it is bound to leave a trail – a trail that may be followed, but none too easy a trail, for the Whiffle-poof is an eccentric animal.
Sometimes it travels sideways, sometimes it turns somersaults, sometimes it jibes, tacks and comes about, and sometimes it hops along like a porcupine grasshopper. Then again, one must be somewhat of an expert to tell in what direction the Whiffle-poof is travelling.
Scouts might be told that they were following a strange animal and the trail might do all sorts of queer things until the whiffle-poof was finally discovered at the end of the trail.
Pioneering activities using Scout staves were popular. Examples included the construction of a tower which would support the weight of Wilson Hill, the building of a bridge with no ropes (Fig. 21), the erection of a flagstaff with the patrol flag fixed to it, or a flagstaff that was four staves long. Another activity using staves was to estimate heights (Fig. 22), widths and weights. Another common outdoor activity at Troop meetings was semaphore (Fig. 23) and the Troop made their own signalling flags for this purpose.
Figure 21 Bridge with no ropes
Figure 22 Estimating heights
Figure 23 Semaphore signalling (Web photo)
In November 1944, a mock trial was tried out at a Troop meeting as described in 'Scouting for Boys'. The trial was to mimic the trial of a real murder called the 'Elsdon Murder'. The story was about a shepherd boy called Robert Hindmarsh who was returning home from the moors of the North of England. On a remote track, he passed a tramp sitting on the ground and eating some food, with his legs stretched out in front of him (Fig. 24). The boy glanced at him and noticed that he was an odd looking character and had peculiar nails in his boots. However, he did not stare and continued on his way, such that the man took little notice of him. When the boy approached home, he came across a crowd of people all congregated round a cottage where a Margaret Crozier had been found murdered. The boy noticed footprints in the garden with nail marks that looked like they may have been made by the tramp. He told the police and they caught up with the man who turned out to be a man called Willie Winter. He and two accomplices were found guilty of murder at the following trial, and
Figure 24 The Elsdon Murder
were subsequently hanged. Scouting for Boys goes into the story in more detail and Baden Powell used it to bring out aspects of woodcraft, observation, deduction, concealment, chivalry, pluck, self discipline, alacrity, health, strength, kind heartedness, saving life, duty and example. The idea of the mock trial was to make the story come alive and to see whether the same verdict would be reached. Normally, a Scoutmaster would be the judge and a number of Scouts would play the various roles, with the rest of the troop being the jury. On this occasion Alan Jubber played the defender, Roy Farling played the policeman, Maurice Offord played a clerk and Ian Wallace was a jury member. It is not stated what other Scouts were involved in this, or what roles they played.
7. TREASURE HUNTS AND WIDE GAMES
There are a number of occasions when a treasure hunt took place during a troop programmes, but it is not known how they were run or how popular they were. The Troop Log revealed that one of the treasure hunts that took place was organised by Harold Hastie and involved Wilson Hill's Scout hat as the treasure! It is also apparent that Wilson was 'not amused' by this incident and had words to say to his patrol leaders after the meeting!
Wide games were played a lot and several were described in detail in the log book. For example, in May 1941, the Troop was split into four groups. The first group played the role of enemy paratroopers under the leadership of Harold Hastie, and were meant to get from the Lyle Hill to the church without being captured by the three other groups who acted as Home Guard. Nobody got back and nobody was captured, which suggests that the game did not work out too well!
In February 1943, a wide game was played where four Scouts were absent from the hall. Each of these missing Scouts had a message and were somewhere outside in disguise. The rest of the Troop had to find them and get hold of the message. One of the missing Scouts was said to have disguised himself as a man wearing a bowler hat, raincoat and carrying a doctor's case. The report gives no account of the number of innocent bystanders who might have been accosted that night!
Some wide games were played with other Troops and in particular with the 1st Gourock Troop. One such joint wide game was played in March 1943, where the Peewit patrol flag was planted as a standard, and the 1st Gourock Scouts had to try and capture it. They duly succeeded. Afterwards, another game was played where the Scouts had to get to Tarbet Street without being caught. Some were successful, some were not. As a postscript, this suggests that the 1st Gourock had a hut at Tarbet Street. There was certainly a small hut there which was used by the Cloch Venture Scout Unit as late as the 1970s. On another occasion during September 1943, the wide game involved finding a nugget in Gourock woods and to bring it safely back to the hall. It is not made clear what the nugget was and what other rules there were, but the task was accomplished by Robin McDougall and Tony Treadwell. Presumably it was a success since everyone got wet feet, and there was 'an abominable smell' in the hall with the drying of socks. In April 1943, a message relay race was undertaken where Scouts in each patrol were spaced out regularly round the block. A verbal message then had to be passed on from one Scout to the next to see how it would end up. Woodpigeons were the best at this (though a poor best as stated in the Troop Log).
Figure 25 Tony Treadwell
Figure 26 Robin McDougall
In January 1944, Robin McDougall organised a wide game despite the fact that it was pouring with rain; apparently, nobody wanted indoor games. The wide game involved Defenders who hid a prize in Glenpark, and Attackers who were set the task of getting it. The net result was that 'everyone went mud-larking and got thoroughly soaked'. The reference to Glenpark is puzzling since it is hard to see Glenpark Cricket Club being the site of such a wide game. One possibility is that Glenpark refers to the grounds of a large house in the area. Alternatively, there may have been an actual park in the area that went by the name of Glenpark.
There is no doubt that wide games remained popular until the Troop temporarily stopped. Arthur Blake was a tenderfoot Scout in 1945 and recalled one wide game where he was lying behind a whin bush on the Lyle Hill with Lamont McKay on the other side; each pretending that they had not spotted each other.
The absence of the Troop Logs from the 1930's makes it impossible to identify the wide games that were played during that period apart from one wide game called Dispatch Carrying. It was stated that this game was described in Scouting for Boys, but there is evidence for it. However, a wide game identified as Dispatch Runners is present and it is likely this is the same game. There are three ways in which this can be run as follows;
Version 1
'A Scout is sent out to take a note to some well-known spot, say a shop in a neighbouring town or district. He will get the note signed, or stamped with the date-stamp of the shop, and return. The rest of the Scouts are posted by their leader to prevent him getting there by watching all the roads and likely paths by which he can come, but nobody may be nearer to the shop than 200 yards. The dispatch runner is allowed to use any disguise and any method of travelling that he can hit upon.
The rules can be adapted to suit any specified spot.
Version 2
A Scout is given a dispatch to take to the HQ of a besieged town, which may be a real town, a village, farm or house, and he must return with a receipt for it. He must wear a coloured rag, two feet long, pinned to his shoulder. He must start at least four miles away from the destination. Besiegers, who have to spot him, can place themselves where they like, but must not go nearer to the HQ building than 300 yards. Anyone found within that limit by the umpire will be ruled out as shot by defenders at HQ. The dispatch rider can use any ruse he likes, except dressing up as a woman, but he must always wear the red rag on his shoulder. To catch him, the enemy must get the red rag from him. Ten hours may be allowed for the dispatch rider to get his message to HQ and get back again to the starting-point with the receipt. The enemy win three marks each if they spot him, and lose three marks if he succeeds. The game can be modified for cities and towns.
Version 3
A Scout is told to bring a note to a certain spot or a house from a distance within a given time. Other hostile Scouts are told to prevent any message getting to this place, and to hide themselves at different points to stop the dispatch carrier getting tere. To count as a capture, two Scouts must touch the dispatch runner before he reaches his destination.
Since this game was played at a normal Troop meeting, Game 3 seems the most likely.
Since this game was played at a normal Troop meeting, version 3 seems the most likely version played.
8 PATROL CORNERS
Patrol Corners was introduced to the Troop programme in 1936 and remained an integral part of the programme throughout the war and beyond. Patrols spent about half an hour together as a patrol, and PLs would train their Scouts for badgework or whatever the Scouting theme was for the evening. The term Patrol Corners may have derived from the patrols using different corners of the hall, but by the end of the war, it is clear that different rooms were being used. The session room was a particularly favourite venue (see section...). The major focus on training was probably on Tenderfoot and Second Class tests. Although Baden Powell viewed the First Class badge as the standard that all Scouts should aspire to, most Scouts gained their Second Class Badge and but not their First Class Badge.
9 CAMPFIRES AND SING-SONGS
Indoor campfires were a common event at Troop nights. At some point in the 1930s, there was an element of competition involved, although there is no indication of what that involved. A decision was eventually taken that campfires were to be 'run on cooperative lines rather than competitive'. There are no descriptions of what went on at campfires. However, Troop Leader George Brown recalled songs such as 'Roll, roll gently down the stream', 'Campfires burning', and 'One man went to mow'. He also recalled that Ian Dunlop gave a talk at campfires (Ian's talk), which was a kind of yarn or Scouting story. During the war years, talks were also given by visiting speakers or servicemen but it is not clear whether these were given at campfires or as a separate item in the programme.
10 HALLOWEEN, XMAS and ANNUAL PARTIES
Annual Troop parties appear to have been a regular occurrence during the 1930s and 1940s. In the 70th, Halloween parties took place in 1935 and 1936, although no details are given of the programme. Some financial contribution was expected from those that went to these parties, prompting a bit of a debate at the Court of Honour in October 1935 when the issue was first raised: 'On the information that a charge of sixpence per head would be made to cover expenses, several members of the Court expressed outspoken opinions, but calm was finally secured'.
Although a similar party was not mentioned in the 1937 COH minutes, it might still have taken place. Having said that, it appears that Halloween parties were replaced with Christmas parties at some point. The first Xmas partt was recorded as taking place at the Robertson Street Scout HQ on the 16th December 1938, with each patrol 'presenting an item at the party'. It is not specified whether the 'item' was some kind of stunt, act or display, or whether it was a donation to a feast, but the former is more likely. Everyone was reported as having a 'jolly evening', and there was a campfire at the end which was 'of a high standard'. There are indications that Mrs. Steel and Mrs. Hill (the mothers of ASMs Eoin Steel and Wilson Hill) provided various cakes and delicacies.
Xmas parties continued during the war; for example there was a Christmas party on the 15th December 1939 which was organised by Eoin Steel and Wilson Hill. Before the party, the COH minutes expressed the hope that Mrs. Steel and Mrs Hill 'would again contribute to the eating side with some splendid specimens of their delightful cooking'. As it happened, it was decided that 'the purveying will be done by a local baker and paid for out of Troop funds'. For the first time, there was some indication about what went on at these parties. The 1939 party was attended by the Rev. Stewart, Wilson Hill, Ian Dunlop and 16 scouts, including Dennis Woodward, Ian Munro, Ronald Mackay, Nicol Smith, Sandy Campbell, Jim Crawford and Harold Hastie (Fig. 27). The night started with a spelling bee conducted by Dennis Woodward followed by a feast. There was also a 'cinematograph show' which included films taken by the Rev. Reid of the troop's summer camp at St. Catherines. These were in the possession of the Rev Stewart, and one wonders what happened to these since they would be fascinating viewing. The night coincided with the arrival of the Troop's new trek cart, and a photo was taken of the said item (Fig. 28).
Figure 27 Some of those attending the 1939 Xmas party ( Rev. Stewart, Wilson Hill, Ian Dunlop, Derek Woodward, Ian Munro, Ronald MacKay, Nicol Smith, Sand Campbell, Jim Crawford and Harold Hastie
Figure 28 Showing off the newly acquired treck cart during the Xmas party.
The Christmas party was repeated in 1940. However, everyone was warned that the traditional 'banquet' would not be up to previous standards due to 'present conditions'. Nevertheless, there was food, games and another cine show. Sirens actually sounded during the cine show, but the show continued while some of the older boys went out roof spotting, presumably to make sure that no incendiaries or bombs were dropped. Originally, each Scout was to contribute sixpence towards the cost of food, but the cost of the whole party was covered by a donation of 5/- from Sandy Campbell. Sandy had officially left the troop a few months previously to join the Merchant Navy at the age of 16, but had attended Troop meetings as an unofficial ASM whilst waiting for his ship. His donation was in place of his annual subsciption, which the Court had refused to accept. Curiously, the party started with drill practice! However, that was deemed necessary because there was a church parade coming up. Once the drill was over, the party started in earnest with interpatrol games, a feast consisting of tea, pies, cakes and fruit jelly, then a Cinematograph show of a variety of films from 2 projectors, one owned by Harold Hastie and the other by Wilson Hill. Proceedings were over by 10 pm. Unfortunately, it is not known who attended.
The annual party for 1941 was put back a month to the 16th January 1942, when it was held in the church hall from 7-9 pm. This was almost certainly due to Wilson Hill falling ill for the whole of December. Fortunately, he had recovered by the start of January and presumably organised the event when he returned. The Rev Stewart was present again along with Wilson Hill and 22 Scouts, which was probably a full turnout. This included Alan Jubber, Alasdair Maclaine, Alan Mackay, Jim Morton, John Ellis, Ronald Herbert, Sandy Mckechnie, Stewart Tosh, Andrew Webster, Austin Craigie, Neil Robertson, Eric Duncan, Roy Farling and Colin Reid. There was a presentation of badges, followed by interpatrol games consisting of relay races, obstacle races, a book-on-head race and a crocodile race. The details of the last game are not specified. Competitions then took place in the form of three 'recognition tests'. There was Kim's game followed by a game where Scouts were to identify pictures of aeroplanes. Finally, there was an adverts game. This was probably a series of adverts cut out of a magazine with the product name removed. The challenge would then be to identify what was being advertised. A detailed list of the scores gained by each Scout was scrupulously recorded in the Troop Log. Only fourteen of the 22 Scouts present are recorded in this list, which might suggest that the patrol leaders and older Scouts were responsible for preparing and running the games and competitions (i.e George Brown, Robin McDougall, John Menzies, Alan MacFadyen etc) After this, there was the customary feast which was organised by Wilson Hill's mother and sister. A film show followed, then, at the end of the party, prizes were given out. There were prizes for the interpatrol games with the Wolf Patrol coming first, earning each of its Scouts three 2oz. blocks of chocolate. The Curlew patrol was second and each Scout got 2 blocks each, while the Woodpigeons came third (not last) and got 1 block of chocolate each.
Figure 27 Some of those who attended the 1942 Xmas party (Rev. Stewart, Wilson Hill, Alan Jubber, Alasdair Maclaine, Alan MacKay, Jim Morton, John Ellis, Ronald Herbert, Sandy McKechnie (no picture available), Stewart Tosh, Andrew Webster, Austin Craigie, Neil Robertson, Eric Duncan, Roy Farling and Colin Reid.
Prizes in the form of Scouting books were issued for the winners of the various competitions. A copy of 'First Class Tests and How to Pass Them' was presented to Jim Morton, Alasdair Maclaine and Andrew Webster for winning 'Planes', 'Adverts' and 'Kims Game' respectively. Alan Jubber was given a copy of "Boy Scout Tests" for gaining the most points overall. Alasdair Maclaine got a copy of "Scouting Round the World" for coming second, while Alan Mackay got a "Scouts How To Do It" book for coming third.
At the end of 1942, the Christmas party reverted to its usual month. However, it was not recorded who attended, other than Ronald Chalmers who was in charge. It is also thought that Alan Jubber, Andrew MacMillan and Ian Conn were present based on personal testimony. The meeting opened with flag, then games followed such as 'Dick Turpin's ride to York', 'W's', and the 'Sir Walter Raleigh relay'. No details of what these games involved were given.
A picture spotting competition then took place which involved identifying planes, tanks and ships. This was followed by the feast. There was no cine film this year. Instead, each patrol put on some kind of stunt to entertain the others. The Curlews Patrol did a shadowgraph. Alan Jubber recalled that Andrew MacMillan and Ian Conn did a very funny shadowgraph of a surgical operation, which involved putting up a sheet between a light, the operating table and the audience, such that you only saw the shadows of the surgeons and the patient. They then proceeded to pull out all sorts of strange things from the patient. Presumably a string of sausages may have been pulled out to represent intestines. The Woodpigeon Patrol put on a short play, as did the Fox Patrol. Finally the Peewit Patrol did 'Charades'. The meeting ended with prizes, flagdown and dismissal.
The next 'Christmas' Party was held on the 14th January 1944. A similar kind of programme was held as in previous years with Flagbreak, games, competitions, feast and patrol stunts. The scribe for the Peewit Patrol Log stated that 'Food streamed in' at the start of the meeting and so rationing did not appear to put a damper on things. Details of all the games and competitions were not given, but the advert game was certainly repeated. A stunt was put on by the Woodpigeon Patrol which related to an invasion of Britain. The Peewit Patrol then did a stunt called 'Guy Fawkes'. The Curlew Patrol did another shadowgraph called "Hot News". Finally, the Fox Patrol did a stunt which was described as 'The Usual Phantom etc'. No details were given of what any of these involved, however. The feast was held at the end and it was stated that the 'grub' was 'piled sky high but was nearly raised to the ground.' Finally, there was a cinematograph show.
Another party was held on the 5th January 1945. Details were very sketchy, but it was clear that games, patrol stunts and the traditional feast took place. Unlike previous years, there was a campfire to round off the evening.
Finally, Alan Jubber recalled that Drew MacMillan's mother once produced mashed banana sandwiches for the Christmas party. This amazed everyone since you could not get bananas during the war. Apparently, she had prepared some kind of mash that looked like banana, and flavoured it with banana essence to make it taste like the real thing!