Have you ever wondered about the early history of your own Scout Group ? When it started, did it continue to function, what Sections did it have, when did they close or when were they able to restart again ?
Well you can now easily discover these facts by looking at the spreadsheet created below and follow the recorded information researched from the District's early Census Forms, District Executive Minutes and other supporting documents.
This District has the Minutes of it's early meetings dating back to 1914 through to 1955, after which for some unfortunate, obscure and annoying reason, they are lost until around 1980. These Minutes are all hand written and unlike minutes we tend to record today, read like a good book !! You really feel you are sitting round the table listening, taking part and knowing the individual personalities !! It must be said that this surely forms a fine memorial to those diligent past District Secretaries that so accurately and clearly recorded Scouting activities.
The Census Forms, owned by this District, date back to 1921, when we guess the practice of the annual Census recordings probably began.
These Minutes and Census forms are all meticulously recorded and give a very accurate and fascinating picture of Scouting in Hastings during this period. They encompasses both World Wars and the Depression years of the nineteen twenties and thirties. They show how Scouting reacted and faired during these traumatic times.
To place the analysis in context it should be explained that three Boy Scout Patrols were first formed in Hastings in 1908. The first being the 'Curlew' Patrol the second Patrol name is unknown and the third was the 'Fox' Patrol. The 1st Hastings Troop was later formed out of the 'Curlew' Patrol. The meeting place of this early 1st Hastings Troop is at this time unknown.
From this first Boy Scout Troop a further six Troops were established in 1909. Followed later by Wolf Cubs in 1916 and then still later by Senior Scouts in 1917. The name of this Senior Scout Section was in the next year, 1918, changed to Rover Scouts. The name Senior Scouts later appeared as a separate Section between Boy Scout Troops and Rover Crews in about 1946.
Before 1928, it should be explained that no Group structure existed and that each Section of the Wolf Cub Pack, Boy Scout Troop and Rover Crew existed separately. Each Section, frequently, was known primarily by the name of their individual meeting places. For instance 'Hollington', 'Old Hastings', 'Central', 'Kim's Own', 'YMCA', etc. However many of the earlier Sections proudly used the early numbers allocated to them as well as their names. When meeting places and therefore names changed it has occasionally been difficult to trace the continuing line of a particular Section. Only by the well kept early District Minutes and the early Census forms can we research and keep track of Scouting's history in this formative period.
After 1928 the history becomes easier, as each Group, now formed of closely associated Sections, was recorded by its allocated number and also, where applicable by its traditional meeting place. Each Group then also became lead by a Group Scout Master.
Including and after the earliest Census held by this District of 1921, we see the 'Imperial Headquarters' Registration Number appearing against each recorded Section in these Census Forms. However, as earlier indicated, because no Group Structure existed, Boy Scout Troops meeting in the same place as the Wolf Cub Pack and perhaps the Rover Crew, would not have the same 'Imperial Headquarters Registration Number as the Wolf Cub Pack and the Rover Crew. Also when a Section closed for a short or longer period, it would not necessarily be re-allocated the registration number that it was originally known by.
All these factors caused considerable confusion for the District Secretaries.
One final factor of interest is the period covering the Second World War when Scouting, in most cases, temporarily ceased in this area, with only a few Groups able to carry on and with many being evacuated. (One noteworthy Troop from The Grammar School, now 24th Hastings, William Parker School, actually ran two Troops, one in Hastings still at the school and one evacuated to St Albans.) Leaders were called to serve their Country in the Armed Forces or directed to essential services, sometimes in different parts of the country. We think we have Leader problems now !!
The census for 1939, the year the war started, was not recorded, neither was the year 1940. The census for 1941 was hastily recorded on a scrap of paper but in 1943 the District Secretary was once again given the official Census Form for that year and recording recommenced.
It is hoped that this information and the historic analysis spreadsheet will be of great interest to many Groups and their Leaders who may wish to trace their Group's past. Perhaps it may also be of interest to many past Scouts who enjoyed these early years of Scouting. It is also hoped that at some future date the location of the lost District Minutes and the Census Forms for the period 1956 - 1980 may be identified. If and when this hopefully occurs, we may be able to research this period to extend the analysis spreadsheet.
Until then it is planned to continue the analysis from 1980 to the present day. Watch this space !!
All information researched is as factual and accurate as the records allow. Some information is difficult establish where documents are not precise or fully explained. In these instances, the best assumption has always been used. Where some blanks appear in the spreadsheet it is because proof of the existence of a Section at that time cannot be established. In most instances this is the case. These may later be corrected if further information is forthcoming.
It would be most appreciated if there are any known inaccuracies or errors that we could be informed when we will seek to correct them. Also if anyone has any constructive and interesting additions that we can add to this information we will naturally additionally appreciate it. Thank you.
Roy Gaved - 2002