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

First Boy Scouts Meeting at Bedford

X464/62, Postcard, c.1916 [Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service]

Wednesday 2^nd May 1917: The first public meeting of the Bedford Boy Scouts took place at the Town Hall, under the chairmanship of the Mayor. There was a large attendance in the Hall, including a gathering of Bedford headmasters. The meeting was called in order to revive interest in the movement, in the hope that it would result in a considerable increase in Boy Scouts. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem and the saluting of the flag. The Mayor then spoke about the benefits of the Scout movement in training the young to be good citizens and in instilling discipline. The Scouts had done much good work so far, helping to promote war entertainment and also helping to collect thousands of eggs for the benefit of wounded soldiers. An inspection of the Scouts by Lord St John then took place. He addressed the boys, stating that it was not his duty to praise the Scouts but to find fault. However, the Scouts had so improved that it was difficult for him to find any fault. The Scouts still had much to do and it was their chief duty to do good for someone else every day, even if it was just by smiling.

It was reported that there were roughly 20,000 Boy Scouts in the Army and the training they had previously received stood them in good stead. Parents were encouraged to support their sons by turning up to church parades. During the evening, songs, recitations, ambulance displays and an exhibition on the parallel bars were given by members of the different troops.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 4/5/1917

Leighton Buzzard Scouts Receive Awards

Leighton Buzzard Scouts [Z1432] 

Monday 30th April 1917: The 1st Leighton Troop of Boy Scouts have been presented with awards today by the Vicar, Reverend G. F. Hills, who congratulated the boys on belonging to the organisation and on the many brave deeds performed by Scouts during the war. Four boys received tenderfoot badges, five were awarded Second Class Scout badges, and nineteen were given service stars. Assistant Scoutmaster Linney received his warrant, together with a framed picture of Patrol Leader George King of the Leighton Troop, who laid down his life for his country. A lady worker’s badge was given to Miss Yirrell, a Red Cross nurse who teaches the boys ambulance work. After the presentation of the awards the Troop was inspected by Miss Enderby and Miss Davey, of Pine Croft, Heath Road, who were impressed with the smartness and discipline of the boys. After the ceremony the boys marched through the town accompanied by the band, which has improved under the leadership of Mr. Costiff. More helpers are needed to teach the boys ambulance and other work so that the size of the Troop can be increased.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 8th May 1917

Leighton Boy Scouts Camp

2nd Leighton Buzzard Scout Troop c.1920 [Z1432]

Wednesday 9th August 1916: A group of Boy Scouts from the Leighton Buzzard Troop have enjoyed a few days camping at Liscombe in a field lent by Mr. E. W. Robinson. They marched  on Saturday afternoon from their Headquarters to Liscombe under the charge of Patrol Leader F. Groom. They were joined there by Assistant Scoutmaster Jack Robinson and enjoyed a game of cricket. Each morning the boys rose at 5.45am after going to bed at 10pm. Sunday was a quiet day, then on Monday they helped their host with hay-making and enjoyed a tea provided by Mr. and Mrs Robinson in the hay field. Each Scout was given an egg for Tuesday’s breakfast and his water bottle was filled with milk each day.

The boys were given plenty of opportunity to practice their scouting skills. On Saturday night Assistant Scoutmaster Eric Linney tried to creep into the camp unobserved but was spotted by the sentry. On Monday the Scouts foiled an attack on their camp by some local volunteers, but on their return found their tent down and clothing and other items missing. As a result they spent the night in Liscombe House; the missing items were found the next morning in another field.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 15th August 1916

Church Parade for Biggleswade Scouts

Biggleswade Church, c.1910-1915 [Z1306/16/22/1]

Sunday 5th December 1915: The 9th Bedfordshire (Biggleswade) Troop of Boy Scouts attended a special service at Biggleswade Parish Church this afternoon at which a collection was taken in aid of the Boy Scouts Motor Ambulance Fund. The Troop paraded at Headquarters before marching with the band via Hitchin Street, High Street, Sun Street, and Shortmead Street to the Church. Much amusement was caused when in Shortmead Street the marching scouts overtook a piebald cow. She halted in the centre of the road, considered the Scouts, then turned and set off at the head of the Troop, swishing her tail like a Drum-Major’s staff. She marched sedately at the front until she reached the Girls’ Church of England Schools where she chased some schoolchildren down a nearby lane.

The Troop’s Chaplain Reverend G. C. Rolfe preached on the subjects of “Progress and advance”. The boys were told “People … are looking for the Scouts to set the tone of what an English boy ought to be. God wants you to be true English Christian boys. That does not mean that you are be dismal and have no pleasure, but that you should be the happiest boys in the world”. After the service the boys were addressed by Lord St. John, the Chief Scout of Bedfordshire who told them it was always a pleasure to come to Biggleswade and that it was a pleasure to see the troop looking so smart. He urged the boys to obey the Scout laws in crossing the river of life. The Scouts then marched back to Headquarters where they were dismissed. It is hoped that some of the young lads who hang around the streets or lounge in the Picture Palaces everything would set aside two nights a week to join the “Scout boys”. There are several vacancies in the ranks for boys aged 11 to 18; any who wish to join should apply to the Scoutmaster.

Souces: Bedfordshire Standard, 10th December 1915; Biggleswade Chronicle, 10th December 1915

Biggleswade Scouts

Biggleswade Scouts [Z1306/16/35/6]

Friday 8th October 1915: The following orders for the week have been published for the 9th Bedfordshire (Biggleswade) Scout Troop:

• Saturday 9th October – Meet in Clubroom at 2pm. Patrol uniform and staff tests for badges.
• Tuesday October 12th – Junior Patrols 7.15pm. Band practice 8.15pm.
• Thursday October 14th – Troop meeting 7.15pm.
• All applications for Badges and Service Stars are to be sent in on Tuesday.
• Duty patrol – Curlew
• Orderlies – H. Wright and E. Bunce.

Any boys wishing to join the Scouts are requested to send in their names to the Scoutmaster or Patrol Leaders.

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle, 8th October 1915

News from the Villages

Water Mill, Barton-le-Clay [Z1130/7/6]

Sunday 2nd May 1915

Barton-le-Clay

The most recent concert held in aid of the starving poor of Bruges contributed the sum of £7 towards the £500 total so far raised by the Bedford concert party who are devoting their efforts to this cause. The promoter writes: “Please accept my best thanks for the cheque enclosed, it is just great, and Barton has surpassed all villages of similar size. Will you please also thank the kind people who got the Schoolroom ready, lit fire etc., and charged us nothing for doing so. We all enjoyed coming to Barton very much, you were all such a nice audience.”

Gravenhurst

More bad news has reached the village with the mother and sister of Lionel Grant Miller in suspense over his fate. An L. G. Miller of the East Surreys has been killed in action, but this man appears to have a different number to Gravenhurst’s Lionel Miller. The same Regiment also has a Lionel George Miller and an L. Miller so it is hoped that Lionel Grant is one of the fifty East Surreys taken prisoner at Neuve Chapelle.[1]

Flitton

For the first time soldiers were billeted at Flitton on Monday evening 19th April. Despite the short notice and inconvenience the village did its best to make them welcome. Unfortunately the event was marred by the dreadful accident which resulted in the death of five year old Ralph Catlin.

Silsoe

The concert announced last month, given by the same Bedford party as the one held at Barton, went off extremely well. The audience was not very large but was extremely enthusiastic. The total amount raised for the starving Belgians was £5 8s 10d. Three more Silsoe men have volunteered to serve their Country: Charles Pratt, Frederick Bunker and Harry Bunker.

Clophill

Last Tuesday War Badges were distributed to those Scouts who have earned them; however, only a few were present to receive their badges as no less than two Assistant Scoutmasters and six Scouts have enlisted and are with their battalions. The soldiers who had been billeted in the village have now left to camp under canvas for the summer. It is hoped that they will have time to visit on occasions.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, May 1915 [P21/30/17]

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[1] As with Walter Redman last month this hope proved to be misplaced. Lionel Grant Miller had been killed in action on 12th March 1915. Like Redman, his comrade  in the 2nd Battalion of the East Surreys, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. An obituary was published in the August magazine which states that he was engaged in ambulance work when he was shot and killed by a sniper. 

News from the Villages

Greenfield School Boy Scout Troop c.1910

Sunday 7th March 1915: Barton-le-Clay

Mr Pike, who has been acting as interpreter for the Belgian refugees who  now been installed in the Mill House at Barton. He describes them as “unassuming simple folk, they appear to take their tribulation very light-heartedly, in spite of the heavy blow which has fallen upon them”. They were driven out of Antwerp on 9th October by a German incendiary bombardment which forced them to run for their lives. They spent two months in Holland before reaching England on 8th January. Those who contribute to their upkeep are in a small way paying back the debt owed by this country to the Belgians people. As one returned wounded soldier said to this parents: “you wouldn’t be comfortably sitting by your fireside hadn’t it been for the Belgians; had it not been for their brave stand there is little doubt the Germans would have been here, for no country was in any way prepared for such an unexpected onslaught. A little time was gained for preparation which saved the situation. You can’t do too much for these poor people who really fought and suffered for you”.

Gravenhurst

The rector has called on his parishioners to ask themselves the following question: “Am I, by my Christian life and conduct, helping to bring down God’s help to end the war, or by my un-Christian life, and taking part in National degeneration helping to prolong the war?”

Clophill

The ordinary church congregation has diminished disappointingly since the soldiers arrived in the village. There has been much illness, and it is admitted that the extra work makes it hard for some people to get to Church, but it is feared that there must be a considerable amount of slackness and things ought not to be as bad as they are.

Westoning

A second successful concert has been held in the new school on behalf of the Belgian Refugee Fund. After expenses a total of £3 18s 6d was raised. One of the village Boy Scouts, Ernest Randolph Elliott Burton died last month at the age of fourteen after a short illness. The Scouts, together with some from Flitwick and Harlington, attended his funeral. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack and the boy’s haversack and hat were placed on top. Ernest was a good lad, at home, at church and at school, and did his duty regularly and well as a Scout. He will be badly missed.

Silsoe

Mr H. Spensley came to the village on February 20th to distribute war badges to those Boy Scouts who have done good work in National Service – in the case of the Silsoe Scouts this work has been guarding the railway tunnel, assisting the police and working at the Military Hospital. The Badges were awarded to Harry Bunker, Leslie Mann, Joe White, Walter White, Robert White, Charles Gray, and Albert Mann.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, February 1915 [P21/30/17]

Biggleswade's Boy Scouts

Biggleswade Boy Scouts 1912 [Z50/142/390]

Thursday 4th March 1915: The 9th Beds (Biggleswade) Scout Troop has just issued its annual report. The troop contains eight King’s Scouts, nine 1st Class Scouts, forty one 2nd Class Scouts, and eight tenderfeet. Thirty one new members were sworn in during 1914 and sixteen left the troop. A rifle range has been built at the Troop’s headquarters in Hitchin Street and some of the scouts are already fairly good marksmen. Eleven have qualified for the special war badge awarded to Scouts who have performed 28 days of duty as bridge guards or police messengers. Twenty three former Biggleswade Scouts are now serving in either the Army or the Navy, and ex-Assistant Scoutmaster Matthews has recently been recruited to the Royal Flying Corps.

The Scouts will be excited to read the new book by their Chief, Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Baden-Powell, My Adventures as a Spy, which has just been published. It tells of his undercover work as a spy during the 1890s which he carried out under the guise of an eccentric butterfly-hunting naturalist. His nature sketchbook was less innocent than it seemed, with the positions of forts and guns disguised within the markings on a butterfly or the veins on an ivy leaf. The book also contains a great deal of information on the art of disguise and useful guidance on surveillance and encryption.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 5th March 1915

News from the Villages

Sunday 7th February 1915

The Old Vicarage, Flitton [Z1306/49/5]

Barton-le-Clay

A Volunteer Drill Class is to be formed in the village. Permission is being sought from the Chief Constable for P.C. G.Setchell to be appointed Drill Instructor. The Class is to be held each Friday evening at 7pm. P.C. Setchell has already given a weekly drill for many months to some 25 lads, many of whom have joined the army and have found his instruction most useful. It is suggested that the ancient habit of universal military instruction should be revived. The reverse of the large 14th century picture of St.Nicholas in the parish Church shows a village scene of youths practicing with the crossbow. It is said that the yew trees in churchyards were planted to supply wood for the bows, and many stones are found in old churches where men sharpened their arrow heads.

Trooper W. Frost of the 1st Dragoon Guards returned to the village on 72 hours leave. He has been in fifteen “scraps” since November but has come through unscathed except for frost-bite. He only once felt down-hearted, when in the trenches with frost-bitten feet, wet to the skin, chilled to the bone, and wearied from want of sleep. When a sympathetic officer asked how he felt he said he almost wished a bullet would finish him off. The officer told him to “stick it”, and “stick it” he did.

Gravenhurst

Christopher Arnold White and Adeline Standbridge Parrish were married in January and are congratulated on their decision to do their duty. The groom is to go and fight for King and country, and the bride has given her consent that he should go.

Flitton and Greenfield

The new Boy Scout Troop made its first public appearance at Church Parade on Sunday 24th January.

Westoning

More men have gone from Westoning for training and their names have been added to the list on the Church Notice Board. A list of those who have had to return through being medically unfit, and of others who have offered but been turned down for the same reason, has been added.

Clophill

The village are exceedingly happy to have such a splendid set of men billeted among them. Twenty six men from the village are serving at the Front or in the Royal Navy or have been wounded, and a further thirty are also serving. Thanks have been received for a truck of vegetables sent to be distributed among ships based at Harwich. Sir Arthur May, Director General of the Medical Department of the Royal Navy writes: “Looking at your work from a Medical point of view it is difficult to overestimate its value; the supply to the Ships’ Companies of really good fruit and vegetables, locally practically unobtainable, is in my opinion of the greatest benefit, it is, I am sure, an important factor in the present most satisfactory low rate of sickness in our ships of the Grand Fleet”.

Silsoe

Sincere sympathy goes out to the young widow of Frederick Laird of the Bedfordshire Regiment who has been killed in action.[1] Captain Lumley Jones, Adjutant of the 2nd Essex Regiment, has been welcomed home for a short but well earned west from his duties at the front. Almost immediately on his return to his regiment he was wounded by a rifle bullet. Fortunately the wound was not serious and he has completely recovered. Two more parishioners, William Novell and Samuel Wiffin have volunteered for service and be accepted, though for both of them the medical inspection meant the loss of practically all their teeth. Malcolm Cook has been successful in obtaining a Writership in the Navy and will commence his duties shortly.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, February 1915 [P21/30/17]

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[1] Frederick Laird of the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment was killed on 10th December 1914 and has no known grave. He had married Julia Brothers only a few months earlier. She gave birth to a son, Frederick Harry, early in 1915. His entry in the National Roll of the Great War reads: “He was mobilised on the outbreak of war, and almost immediately proceeded to France, where he fought in the retreat from Mons and in subsequent engagements on the Marne, in which he was wounded and sent to a base hospital. Recovering from the effects of his wounds he returned to his unit, and took part in the Battles of La Bassée and Ypres, and was killed in action near Ypres on December 11th 1914”. He lived at 18 High Street, Silsoe.

News from the Villages

Strawplaiting at Barton-le-Clay, 1917 [Z1306/7/13/1]

Sunday 3rd January 1915

Barton-le-Clay

The roll of honour of men from the village who have joined the Forces has increased by ten, making a total of about 50. These include five of the bell ringers. Five Bartonians have already returned wounded, but all are making satisfactory progress on the whole. At the Ringers and Church Officials' Christmas Supper Private Bradshaw gave a graphic description of the Battle of Mons, during which he had lain wounded for five hours under the dead horse he had been driving in the artillery service. Mrs Sturgess has received a letter from her son in the 1st Bedfords who has been promoted to Lance-Corporal.[1] He says “We haven’t much to grumble at, for we have plenty to eat and plenty of warm clothing, but what we don’t like is the wet weather; it makes everybody so miserable, but we grin and bear it … We stayed for a day or two in a Church where there was a nice organ. Someone started playing a few old hymns, and you ought to have heard us sing. It made us think more of home than ever … You ought to see us now, we look like a lot of bears, as we have had some fur coats given us.”

A house and furniture have been arranged and weekly subscriptions promised sufficient to maintain eight Belgian refugees, so it is disappointing that none have arrived. The matter is being kept in hand for a time in case any wish to avail themselves of the village’s hospitality later on.

Gravenhurst

Percy Parrish has written on behalf of himself and his brother Cyril to their parents: “We have joined the army … You must not worry for you know it was our duty to go. We are not going to have a German to rule over us”. The Rector urges every unmarried man of military age and strength to join the army, and every non-combatant unfit for the front to join in prayer, to contribute by self-denial, and to do some work for those suffering from the war.

Flitton and Greenfield

The series of lantern views and war slides concluded in December and a grand total of £3 14s 4d was sent to Lady Eleonora French requesting that it be spent on warm clothing for men at the front, but not on socks. She has suggested that vests and pants are most needed right now. Efforts are being made to establish a Boy Scout Troop and eleven lads are already in training. Funds are being raised to purchase uniforms and other equipment.

Silsoe

The children in the Junior Classes in the Mixed School have contributed 5s 5d and the Infants 1s 3d to the fund for the maintenance of a Belgian family in the village. Nothing more has been heard about their arrival, but the village is ready to give them a cordial welcome.

Westoning

A total of £7 12s 2d has been handed over to the Belgian Distress Fund following the concert held in the New Schools.

Clophill

There is great excitement in the village at the news that over 200 soldiers are to be billeted at Clophill. The Parish Room is to be turned into a Recreation Room with a refreshment stall. Only men in uniform will be allowed but members of all branches of the Services will be welcomed. It is hoped that the visitors will be made most comfortable, but also that there will be no “unseemly foolishness or rowdyism”.

A branch of the newly formed League of Honour for Women and Girls is also to be started in the village. The League aims at uniting all women and girls over 14 in Prayer, Purity and Temperance during the war, offering them the highest scope for true patriotism.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, January 1915 [P21/30/17]

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[1] Leonard Sturgess of Barton joined the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1903 aged 19 and was transferred to the Reserve in 1905. He rejoined the Regiment at the beginning of the War and was discharged in January 1916 at the termination of his first period of engagement. He served in France between 30th August 1914 and 28th January 1915. His pension record describes him as “a cheerful and industrious worker”. 

News from the Villages

Image: Ampthill tunnels, c.1910 [Z50/1/150]

Sunday 1st November 1914

Barton

Vegetables, fruit and eggs sent for the Harvest Festival have been divided between the National Hospital (London) and the patients at Wrest Park. Mrs Frederick Timms has collected £6 12s 9d with which she has purchased material for making eighteen nightshirts, two dozen handkerchiefs, one dozen blankets, and some knitted cuffs. She has also raised sufficient funds to supply 2,000 cigarettes and 10 ounces of tobacco.[1] Five blankets have been given which will be sent for the Bedfordshire Regiment. The Reverend C Charlesworth gave a lecture on the war in the Manor School to a packed audience which raised £5 towards the Belgian Relief Fund.

Gravenhurst

Two pairs of field glasses have been bought with money donated by parishioners in response to an appeal by Field Marshall Earl Roberts. Fourteen thousand field glasses have been provided following the publication of pictures in the Daily Mail showing that German sentries had field glasses while British sentries did not.

Westoning

Some of the men away training have returned home on short leave. Mr Peppiatt, who was present at the taking of Antwerp has been back for a few days to see his wife and children. Herbert W F Higgs, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs William Higgs, has enlisted in the Naval Air Section and will be stationed at Sheerness. He had previously worked for Mr Grimmer at Ampthill, for the General Omnibus Company, and at the Motor Works, Luton.

Flitton and Greenfield

So far there has been no shortage of food, and it is hoped that parishioners realise how much they owe to the ceaseless vigilance of the Navy. Lantern views and war slides on Germany will be shown on November 4th and on Belgium on November 18th. Socks are being knitted for soldiers by the girls of Greenfield School, and £1 15s 0d has been collected in the parish for a Wool Fund.

Clophill

The Scouts have been withdrawn from guarding the Ampthill Tunnel and are mounting guard at the Waterworks every evening. This will be much more convenient, especially as the Authorities are supplying shelter and fire. The Council are to issue special War Badges to all scouts who do a certain amount of public duty during the war. “Nearly every one of our boys have already earned the Badge. Why not all? Buck up the few slackers.”

Silsoe

Captain Lumley Jones, of the 2nd Essex Regiment, has been made a Member of the Legion of Honour, one of the highest distinctions the French Government and War Office have to grant, reserved for those who have performed a conspicuous act of bravery.[2] It is not yet known what feat won Captain Jones this honour.  Only a few days earlier he had been mentioned in dispatches by Sir John French.

Source: Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, November 1914 [P21/30/16]

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[1] A letter of thanks to Mrs Timms of Barton was printed in the Luton News of 5.11.1914.

[2] Captain Lumley Owen Williames Jones is commemorated on the Winchester College At War website. He died of pneumonia brought on by influenza in September 1918 and is commemorated on the Silsoe war memorial. His parents and sisters were living in Silsoe in 1914.

News from the Villages

Members of Wrest Park Fire Brigade, Silsoe, c.1910 [Z50/142/785]

Sunday 4th October 1914

Barton

Today’s Harvest Festival is to be limited to just the Sunday Services. The Rector believes is “it is altogether unseemly to have social teas, football matches, meetings, decorations, and the like, when so many from our country – and even from our own village – are suffereing all the hardships of this cruel war so unhappily thrust upon us, and besides this, I don’t think any right minded sympathetic person would care to join in anything of that sort.”  Barton already has twenty five men serving in the army, with six of them at the front, and five more recruits have volunteered. This is more than half the number of eligible men in the village.

Gravenhurst

The Rector thanks those who responded to his invitation to send fruit, eggs and tobacco to the 66 sick and wounded at Wrest House. He considers it a privilege to help these men who have bravely fought to keep the Germans from turning England into a second Belgium. The war work party meet at the Rectory every Tuesday afternoon and have already sent six night shirts to the headquarters in London. They are now working on bed jackets, night shirts, day shirts and socks. Miss Julia Smith, from London, gave a lecture in the Village Hall on “What we are fighting for” and “what we are up against”. In her view the cause of the war was solely the Militarism of the leaders of the German Empire. Those unable to go to the front were urged to give some money towards the war effort weekly, and to “pray without ceasing”. Eight men from the village are now serving in the forces.

Clophill

The Harvest Thanksgiving in Clophill is also to be kept as plain as possible, with donations of fruit and vegetables to be given to the poor who need them this year more than ever. Thirty Clophill men are already serving their country, four in the navy and the rest in the army. The Scouts are helping the police to guard the Ampthill Tunnel and to keep open the Midland Main Line. The boys have been punctual and willing and have earned the cordial praises of the police and railway men. The Rector and Sidney Daniels have been enrolled as special constables and help to guard the tunnel by night. “The work is not always pleasant as no shelters are provided and one can get uncommonly wet in four hours. It is rather monotonous too, without even the excitement of a German spy.”

Westoning

Thirteen men from the village have left for the army, either as Reservists or Recruits.

Flitton and Greenfield

Lantern views on the countries at war and war slides are being shown in the Parish Room at 7pm on alternate Wednesdays. A collection is made at the door with the aim of purchasing a few army blankets. The first meeting raised eleven shillings. The next meetings will look at France (7th October) and Russia (21st October).

Silsoe

The wounded soldiers quartered at Wrest are welcomed for a Church Parade each Sunday. A concrete tank holding 3,500 gallons has been installed at the village school to collect rain water. This can be pumped into a cistern in the boys’ lobby for use by the school (where washing facilities have until now been primitive) and can also be used by the Wrest Park Fire Brigade. Eight Regulars and six Territorials are serving their King and Country, and have been joined by four new recruits.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton & Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, October 1914 [P21/30/16]

Boy Scouts Out for Victory

Postcard 1914-18 [X464/62]

Saturday 22nd August 1914 (Bedford): The Boy Scouts have been very busy all week. Some have been acting as messengers for the Highlanders since they arrived last Saturday and the police have also been relying on Scouts as messengers. Others have been acting as guards, watching both the railway bridges, the reservoir, and the pumping station. Bedford's own Scout Troups are being helped by the Elstow, Kempston and Clapham Scouts.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 21st August 1914

Boy Scouts At Work

Officers of the Sharnbrook Division, 1920. Inspector John Wilfred Bliss, front row centre [QEV20/6]

Friday 7th August 1914 (Sharnbook): Inspector Bliss of the Sharnbrook police station has asked Boy Scouts from the villages to help the police by taking messages.[1] Four are to report to the station at 10 a.m., four more at 2 p.m. and another four at 6 p.m. Those with bicycles are to take them along. Many of the boys are already wishing they were old enough to join the army. No doubt they will feel that being a Boy Scout is the next best thing.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 7th August 1914

[1] The newspaper report says the Scouts were to report to the Police Superintendent, but at this time Sharnbrook’s senior officer was Inspector John Wilfred Bliss (Beats, Boots and Thieves, Des Hoar and Richard Handscomb, p.96). Boy Scouts were used across the county to take messages, run errands and guard premises.