Bedford Boy Scouts

Procession of Cub Scouts in High Street, Bedford, May 1918 [Z1306/12/7/9]

Friday 11th January 1918: The Bedford Local Association of Boy Scouts has held a meeting at which reports were given on the progress of the organisation since the beginning of the war. Since 1913 numbers have increased considerably, from 92 to 145. The “school” section of the 1st Beds Troop (the “Onesters”) grew rapidly and was made into an independent troop, taking on the redundant 2nd Beds number; a Troop of Scouts was also formed at St. Cuthbert’s which was registered as the 65th Beds Troop. Three packs of Wolf Cubs have been formed, connected with the 2nd, 60th and 65th Troops; at the last census they had 37 members.

Eighty-six Old Onesters are currently serving in the Forces and five have been killed. The 2nd Beds Troop does not yet have a Roll of Honour as all the Scouts are still school aged. Other Troops, such as the 22nd Beds (Nonconformist) and the 60th Beds (St. Leonard’s) have struggled due to the loss of officers who have enlisted. St. Leonard’s Wolf Cubs has lost members since last year’s census after their room was commandeered by the military. War service carried out by the Scout Troops is very varied and has included bridge building, canteen and military orderly work, egg collecting, messenger duty, and acting as patients for first aid classes.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 11th January 1918