TE KORERO For Boy Scouts

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 43, 20 February 1935, Page 20

TE KORERO For Boy Scouts

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WALTON.

Auckland scouters will long hare happy memories of Lieutenant-Colonel Granville Walton, the Imperial Headquarters Commissioner for rover scouts and representative of Imperial Headquarters at the recent Australian jamboree. His earnest mien, combined with that genial, happy emile which from time to time flits across his face, gives indication of a man with a steadfast purpose, a sense of humour, and one capable of dealing with any situation which may arise.

Colonel Walton was born in London, and is the son of the late F. T. G. Walton, CLE., M.lnst.C.E., the bridgebuilder of Kipling. He was educated at Marlborough, Woolwich and Chatham, and in 1910 to 1912 was the garrison engineer in the famous Khyber Pass. In 1912 to 1914 and 1920 to 1920 he was with the. North-Western State Railways of India in the operating branch. Answering the call of service during the period of the Great War, he was drafted to France and served there, and in Salonika from 1914 to 1910. In 1910 to 1918 he was a member of the Railways Mission to Italy, Salonika, Palestine, Russia and Rumania, and from 1918 to 1920 was chief of the League of Nations Railway Mission to Rumania. A member of the M.lnst.T., he was awarded the 0.8. E. military decoration, was men-

tioncd in dispatches twice, and decorated by the French, Russian (twice) and Rumanian (twice) Governments. In 1920, two years before lie retired, he was assistant-scoutmaster of the Ist Poulton (CJlos.) Troop, and was appointed district scoutmaster of the X.W. Berks in 1927, and in 102!) held the position of honorary secretary of the famous great world jamboree.

In 1031 he took over his present position as headquarters commissioner for rover scouts, and was president of the conference and vice-president of the lirst world rover moot, held in Switzerland in 1031. He will also be the leader of the British contingent to the second world rover scout moot in Sweden thisi year. j

As the Imperial Headquarters representative attached to our Chief, Lord Baden-Powell, lie naturally lias the interests of scouting very much at heart, and his efforts in New Zealand to sec as much of the movement as possible has made for him a task of almost herculean dimensions. He and Mrs. Walton (who is 'accompanying him) will cover many miles of New Zealand roads before leaving this country on or about March 14. It is of great assistance to the scouting fraternity of this Dominion to have from time to time men who are taking a prominent position in scouting in the Motherland, and all branches are grateful for the opportunity of meeting one in whom Imperial Headquarters has placed such responsibility. To Colonel and Mrs. .Walton we extend our best wishes for a happy time in our land, and wish them a safe return to their loved ones at Home.