SCOUT NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 262, 3 October 1940, Page 12

SCOUT NOTES

SEA SCOUTS AT DUNKIRK. (By “Hangi.”) This is the story told by the Scoutmaster of the Mortlake Sea Scouts. f J’be Scouts have a 45ft motor picket-boat, the Mmotaur, which once belonged to the Navy. The Admiralty on May 29, at 11 |M n -> ordered the Minotaur to proceed down river as soon as possible. “By midnight the crew were found, and at 8,50 a.pi. we wore under weigh down river, refuelling and taking on stores and water as went,’’ says the story. “At 8 p.m. we reported at our destination, and were given further instructions to proceed to a south-east port. We made it at 9 o’clock the next morning.’’ With two armed naval ratings on board, the boat fuelled and instructions received, we proceeded to a part of the French coast. “By 10.45 a.m. we were on our way,” continues the story. “The crossing took five and a half to six hours. Destroyer' after destroyer raced pact, almost threatening io overturn us with their wanh. We approached the beach with great caution at Dunkirk, because of the wrecks. We found things fairly, quiet, and got on with our allotted job of towing email open boats, laden with soldiers, to troop transports anchored in deep water, or of loading our ship from the open boats and proceeding out to the transports. Conditions did not remain quiet long. Sudden.y destroyers opened fire on Nazi planes overhead which wore aiming for the crowded beach, Salvo after salvo of bombs were dropped. One plane was brought down in flames, far too close for our liking! “After the raiders had passed we got on with our job. Fuel began to run low, so we took a final load and returned to our Fast Coast bate. Here wc shipped aboard a motor-boat as crew. We left before dark under convoy of a large seagoing tug. Our job this time was to work ip conjunction with the tug from the Dunkirk Harbour Mole. The operation was carried out in darkness, but nrc*s on f>hore made it seem like daylight. Having loaded the tug we came away just a German shell demolished the end of it- On the way back we Scouts transferred to a ua\al cutter, full of troops, which was making the return journey. The officer /in charge had lost his charts. Knowing the way back we were able to take over. After a nine hours’ crossing we made our East Coast base again. German aircraft constantly followed all small boats out to sea, gunning the crews' and troops on board.” TROOP NOTES. 3rd West End.—The Kiwi patrol and the Kingfisher patrol did some long distance signalling with torches from the Manawatu River bridge to Melford Road. While those two patrols wcie away, Scooter Collins took the other three lor etretch-or-bearing. We progressed well with signalling and ambulance work, which was closely followed by flag pole raising by the patrol loaders and a game conducted by S.P.L. Allan Cawley for the rest of the troop. P.L. Des. Dear has been appointed scribe for the - next six months. We aie very pleased to say that T.L. Tom Fletcher has now his gold all round cord. At the end of the parade we lmd a court of honour meeting when some important roasters were brought up, including a challenge that, the P.L.’s had made lo the Rover crow for a game of handball. r lho last month’s inter-patrol competition was won by the Owl patrol, who have been working very hard and have pulled themselves to the top. 4th Palmerston North (All Saints ).—- Our parade opened with flag-broak and prayers after which inspection was held. This, was won by the Moropork patrol. P.G. N. Macalmter then took the troop for game®, a favourite one being “barging.” Evidently one of our members believes that “he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day,” judging by the way lie tried (o avoid direct combat. Wo then did patrol work in corners, concentrating on work for the rally, and then a practice for a play, which was presented at our parents’ meeting. A game of dodgebail brought the evening’s activities to a close. West End Rover Crew. —Our fourth meeting consisted chiefly of games in which the Scouts challenged us at handball, big ring, and toniquoits. After a hard and strenuous game the handball was won by the Rovers. The toniquoits and big ring i were won by the Scouts. Wo aro very sorry to lose two of our members — S. M. Collins and M. Smith, who are going into camp. We aro holding a meeting of the Rovers on October II and any young men wishing to join will be made welcome at our meeting ha.’,l in the West End School.

St. Peter’s Troop.—Our meeting began with inspection, followed by first-class .ambulance. for patfol leaders by Mr Stevens. Games were “Pat and Mike,” barge, and “chain tag.”. The Kingfisher Patrol won the cud.

To Awe Awe pack.—'Congratulations to the following on earning their first-aiders’ badges: Rex Petersen, Bob Cook, Alee Mills, Matthew Clayton, Tony Loughnan, David Joblin, and Neil Crane; also to Gordon Knowles, who has passed bis house orderly’s badge. Good work boys, and well earned. Cubs Frank Schulz, Alan Watkins, and Lance Cridge have been invested, and wo welcome Joe Street to our pack and wish him good hunting in our “jungle.” Matthew Clayton and Tony Loughnan have been promoted to seconds of White and Black Sixes respectively. Good luck boys, and DYB for your new sixes. Our pock meetings for the past four weeks have been mainly spent in preparing for our concert, but next month we wijl concentrate on rally work for Labour Day.

All Saints’ parents’ evening.—At tho parents’ evening held in All Saints’ Parish Hall on September 27 we had an excellent attendance of parents. The meeting opened with flag-break and the National Anthem. Ihe cubs under Miss Andrews demonstrated their “grand howl” and a first-star relay. Cub D. Ervine sang and Cub A. Rule player his concertina, both items being received with applause. Scouter Callis next asked for one of the parents to give him a message which ho gave to four boys to signal to one another; tho message was received at the other end of the hall without a mistake. The star turn of the evening came next, a sketch called “Nothing Ever Happens,” written and produced by Scoutcr Callis. It was a great success. The annual meeting followed. Rev. Canon Woodward was in the chair. The report of the chairman (Mr E. Howard) followed; the scoutmaster's and lady-eubirmster’s reports were presented, showing that both the troop and pack have made good progress during the year. The group has now readied its full muster. The president (Canon Woodward) congratulated the committee, lady cubmasters, and 6eouters on their fine work. The now committee was elected ns follows ;—Mr and Mrs Howard, Mrs Nichols. Mr and Mrs Bass, Mr and Mrs Stevens, Mr and Mrs Rule, Mr and Mrs Smailo, Mr and Mrs Sheldrake, Mr and Mrs Bolgrave, Mrs Evorise. and Mr Puller.

2nd (Terrace End) Troop.—On Friday night Scoutcr Davidso.il performed a pleasant ceremony when he presented Kelvin Doull with an A.S.M.’s warrant. Con' gratulations, Kelvin. We also invested four more Scouts, those being Barry Lodoll, W ini Tatana, John Gardner and Noel Smith. Rev. R. Warned; visited us and the troop was very glad to see him. On Sunday some patrol-leaders went to Aokautere io get some staves and thanks are duo to Mr Scott for allowing these leaders on his property and letting them have what they wanted.