History

Can you imagine a world without Scouting?

Without Scouting skills for life, the world would certainly be a less interesting place, and if it wasn't for the talent and originality of one man, the Scout Movement might never have existed at all.

This man was Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941), a soldier, artist, actor and free-thinker. Best known for his spirited defence of the small South African township of Mafeking during the Boer War, he was propelled to further fame as the Founder of Scouting.

Inspired during the siege by the initiative shown by boys under pressure, Baden-Powell (BP) realised that young people had huge potential that was often left untapped.

Already thinking of developing a training programme for young people in Britain, he was encouraged by friends to rewrite his handbook for soldiers (Aids to Scouting) for this younger audience.

The Brownsea camp

In 1907 Baden-Powell held a camp on Brownsea Island in Poole, Dorset, to try out his ideas and brought together 20 boys from a variety of backgrounds. The success of the camp spurred him on to finish what would become a classic book of the 20th century.

Scouting for Boys was published in 1908 in six fortnightly parts at 4d a copy. What had been intended as a training aid for existing organisations became the handbook of a new Movement, which secured the royal seal of approval the following year when King Edward VII agreed to the introduction of the King’s Scout Award.

In its first census in 1910, Scouting had almost 108,000 participants; over 100,000 were young people.

Scouting for all ages

It was a global phenomenon. As numbers grew, it soon became clear that young people of all ages and in every country wanted to get involved in Scouting. Wolf Cubs came along for younger Scouts in 1916, followed four years later by Rover Scouts for an older age range.

1920 was also the year of the first World Scout Jamboree. At London's Olympia, Scouts from across the world gathered to celebrate international unity and the growth of their great Movement.

Branching out

Lord Baden-Powell died in 1941 but his legacy continued. Scouting became a byword for adventure, usefulness and global friendship.

As the Movement spread across the world, Scouting continued to evolve in the United Kingdom. Following heroic work during the Second World War when Scouts acted as coast guards, couriers and stretcher bearers, members continued to show they were truly able to live their motto ‘Be prepared.’

Forward thinking

Scouting has never stood still. New branches such as Air and Sea Scouts became increasingly popular, gaining recognition from the RAF and the Royal Navy. Scouts were on hand to help out at major events such as the Queen's coronation, helping the crowds who camped out overnight to get a glimpse of the spectacle.

The Movement continued to grow and move with the times. Rover Scouts and Senior Scouts became Venture Scouts and the badge system was updated to reflect the wider range of activities a Scout could do. Girls were invited to join the Venture Scout section; this was introduced to other sections in the early 1990s.

In the true spirit of an inclusive organisation, younger children got to experience Scouting for the first time with the official incorporation of the Beaver Scouts in 1986. Three years later, official headgear was abolished for all sections.

Scouting for the 21st Century

At the dawn of the 21st Century, the Association again underwent reform with the launch of a new logo, uniform and training programme and the introduction of Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network by 2002.

In 2007, the Movement celebrated its centenary and the 21st World Scout Jamboree was held in the UK. Scouting hit the headlines in 2024 when polar explorer, Dwayne Fields, replaced Bear Grylls as the new Chief Scout.

1st City of London Scout Group History

The early days of the Group are marked by firsts of many kinds. There was a Scottish Trek when an unfortunate Assistant Scoutmaster lost his return ticket. He stayed and went on to run one of Edinburgh’s best troops. There was a summer trek to camp in France, which had more than a little to do with the start of French Scouting.

At the Privileges Committee of Aldermen on 1st July 1910 a letter from Mr. Arthur Poyser, Scoutmaster, 1st City of London Boy Scouts, asked permission to add the words “Lord Mayor’s Own” after the registered title of the Troop. It was resolved “that the Lord Mayor be informed that the Committee offer no objection thereto”. Consequently, in 1911 at Mercers Hall, the Lord Mayor, Sir Thomas Crosby, granted his badge to the Group in perpetuity, together with the title “The Lord Mayor’s Own”. This was confirmed by a document bearing the Lord Mayor’s signature and seal. Unfortunately this was a casualty of the blitz.

In 1912, the Group started a section for younger boys, who were called cadets. They met in the Guildhall and in due course became a Cub Pack when the Scout Association started its junior section in 1916. Meetings continued there until 1939.

Immediately after the First World War, the rector, Rev. Tubby Clayton arranged for 1st City Scouts to escort war widows to visit their husband’s graves on Armistice Day.

In the early 20’s came visits to Latvia and the forging of a friendship link which lasted many years.

The vestry in All Hallows Church contains wood panelling on the walls. In one corner, the 1st City badge is prominent and beneath it are listed many of the original troop member’s names – and when they passed away. In the crypt are the urns containing the ashes of several Troop members.

Between the wars there were a number of Groups in the City. The DC at the time was Father George Moore, curate at All Hallows where he was also GSM.

The investiture ceremony for Troop members usually took place in front of the altar at All Hallows (we have photos of this) and contained the following words;

“Take this badge, which we entrust to your keeping as we welcome you into the First Troop of the First City in the World. The honour of the Troop is now in your hands – henceforth your enemies are our enemies, your battles are our battles and your friends are our friends. Remember the words you first heard as a Cub and don’t let us down!”

There was an article about the Group in The Scouter magazine in October 1937, which gives a tremendous insight to the Group at the time. The Group HQ had part of the Roman Wall at one end of the building – no doubt this came in useful as a goalmouth!

After the war, the Group was housed at 42 Trinity Square. The GSM was Arthur Spillard, who had been a Group youth member – glad to see the tradition will continue in 2009 with a new GSL who joined the Group as a Cub Scout and has been a member ever since. In the forties and fifties another leader was the radio actor Stephen Jack. The troop also included Michael and John Gibb who then became SM and ASM respectively.

By 1962 the City of London Boy Scouts Association consisted of:

• 1st (Lord Mayor’s Own)
• 2nd Admiral Hinkley’s Own Sea Scouts
• 3rd St Bartholomew’s Hospital
• 5th Air Scout Troop
• 7th City of London School
• 8th Land Scout Group

The 1st had an HQ in Water Lane, the Sea Scouts had a Motor Torpedo Boat in St Katharine’s Dock and the 3rd met in a basement at 37 Bartholomew Lane. Both the 3rd and 7th had closed by spring 1963 due to lack of leaders.

In 1964 it was obvious that 1st City was in danger of closing due to a shortage of leaders. In consequence a merger with the 8th took place – they seemingly had leaders but no youth members. At this point the original green scarf worn by the LMO and the black and gold of the 8th became the red and white we have today, with the red on the right shoulder.

Around this time the hut in Water Lane was demolished, and a new meeting place was established at St. Peter Hill, off Upper Thames Street. Two years later, the Group moved to Talbot House in Trinity Square which became home for the next fourteen years, until it was redeveloped in 1982. The Group moved to the Bishopsgate Institute where it remained for 21 years. In 2002 we were relocated to the Sir John Cass Primary School near Aldgate.

With only three groups left in the City District, it was merged with Holborn in 1969 to become the City of London and Holborn District Scout Council which consisted of eight Groups. Again a falling population led to group closures and by 1984 the new district contained only 1st City, 8th Holborn and 17th Holborn (all still in existence today). In July of that year they were subsumed into Islington District. A further restructuring in 2004 Led to the creation of the district of Camden, City and Islington (a welcome return for “City”) – but through all of this 1st City of London (Lord Mayor’s Own) has survived and is set for another 100 years.

The Group has held camps all over the UK, particularly those campsites within easier reach of London. International activity has been high as well with expeditions to Romania, Lithuania, Poland, France and Czech Republic. Group members have attended Jamborees in Malaysia, Thailand and the UK. (The Thailand one being particularly notable as we had twelve people from the Group selected as members of the County Unit, plus a Group Leader on International Service Team). One of our current ASL’s has represented Scouting in North Africa, Korea and the Philippines.

Group Census Information

• 24th May 1912 35 Cubs
• 1st October 1919 80 Scouts, 20 Rovers and 4 leaders plus 35 cubs with 1 leader
• 30th September 1924 25 Cubs and 1 Leader plus 57 Scouts, 3 Rovers and 3 Leaders
• Oct 15th 1925 32 Scouts and 2 Leaders
• 30th September 1928 31 Scouts, 24 Cubs, 6 Scouters
• 29th January 1959 5 Leaders, 8 senior Scouts, 15 Scouts, 24 Cubs
• 31st January 2008 17 Beavers, 28 Cubs, 26 Scouts, 7 Explorers and 23 Leaders

We have copies of all annual census returns from 1967 and the other data above was supplied by HQ.

Other Important Dates and Events

In 1989 the Group were invited to be the Guard of Honour at the Children’s Royal Variety Performance in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret – the highlight for the members was meeting Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan (amongst others).

The Group admitted Girls into all sections from 1992 – we were the first Group in the District to take this step officially (another Group had invested girls into the troop a short time before us, but without full permission from the DC).

We have supported Venture Scouting since their inception in the mid 1960’s with varying degrees of success.

We opened our own Explorer Unit in 2002 when new uniforms and programmes came in for the whole age range. The Scout section age limit was brought down to 14 from 15½, Explorers covering the 14‐18 age range and then Network for the under 26’s.

In 2012, the Explorer Scout Unit was closed as part of a move to ensure Explorer Scouting is delivered as a district provision.

I am grateful to all of those who have contributed to this outline, and I apologise unreservedly for any omissions and errors. Feel free to contact me with any additional information or corrections in order that this document be as accurate as possible.

John S. Cronin
Group Lead Volunteer