100 YEARS HISTORY OF THE 3rd St ALBANS SCOUT GROUP

The following history was taken from the sources detailed below. I thank all those involved for their hard work in helping us record this.

SOURCES:
Milestones of 100 Years of Hertfordshire Scouting. Researched and Written by Frank L. Brittain. County Archivist
...Always a Scout! Bob Peatling and Bernard Smith Joint Editors.

Early 1900’s Baden-Powell (BP) trained his troops to become expert in observation and scouting.
1907 Realising how valuable these assets would be to boys, he decided to teach them to a party of lads of mixed classes at a camp which he organised on Brownsea Island, near Poole, Dorset.
1908 Baden Powell decides to write a book entitled "Scouting for Boys" that was bought by some lads in St. Albans. They got together, and formed a gang known later as a patrol. There names were Leslie Roberts, Wilfred Crofts, Claud Westell, Cyril Paul, Fred Thayre, and J. Webster. Vincent Cailard joined them and, without any organisation to back them up, they set out to do "scouting".
As a meeting place, the seven lads gathered in a paddock in Grosvenor Road East which belonged to J. Webster's uncle. When the weather was unsuitable f or out door activities, they met in a room at the back of the bakery at 52 Victoria Street, V. Callard's father being the owner. After their first night camping, the boys realised their limitations, and started looking for adult help. This they found in various parts of the town. By that time the "patrol" had grown considerably, so they split up and became the 1st, 2nd and 3rd St. Albans Troops. The first scoutmaster of the 3rd's was Mr. W.H. Tubbecke , a German who had taken up residence in a cottage next to St. Peter's Church. Under his guidance, the Thirds made rapid headway.
1909 August The troop was registered at the London headquarters - just ahead of the 1st and 2nd Troops.
October Third St Albans claimed to be the first Troop in the County to own a "Trek Cart". They showed it off by pulling it from St Abans to Hatfield and then gave demonstrations of its versatility by dismantling it to use as a table and benches. The Troop entered a team of four: Tom Hester, Tom Quick, Fred Thayre and Vince Callard for an Ambulance competition and won. In later years the Third became very proficient in this work and were frequent contenders for the "Tempest Hicks Bowl" that was introduced in 1911.
1910 For a time, the premises of a photographic company in Verulam Road were used as a meeting place on Tuesdays and Thursdays . There were then four patrols - Curlews, Otters, Peewits and Rams . Another meeting place used by the troop about this time was the old Drill Hall in Hatfield Road. There they were allowed to use rifles to shoot at targets. This building was pulled down some years ago to make way for the Art School. Some rooms in the George Yard off George Street were also used.
1914 The first issue of their magazine, “The Third St Albans Troop Monthly” was issued. It contained information about forthcoming events, a Scoutmaster's chat, some verses, news, an article on the first Scout Law and other items.
In the summer of 1914, when the Thirds were in camp at Cromer, war was declared on Germany . A little earlier, Mr. Tubbecke went away for a while, leaving the troop in the hands of A.S.M. Torn Quick and Senior Patrol Leader Vincent Callard. The troop was now some 40 strong and rather a handful for Torn and Vincent. So the Local Association appointed John Coker as Acting Scoutmaster.
John held this position for only a few months when Mr. Tubbecke suddenly appeared in the garden of Grange House, St. Peter's Street, where a parade was taking place. There was some argument as to who should be in charge, and eventually John and Mr. Tubbecke agreed to share the honour, and off they marched side by side at the head of the troop. Mr. Tubbecke never explained why he had been away, but it was assumed that he had been doing his compulsory national service for his country.
He had been an excellent Scoutmaster, but as he was German, the authorities decided that he should be detained as soon as the war broke out. Two policemen picked him up at the Cromer camp and he was taken to an internment centre in the Isle of Man. Rumours that he had been a German spy while in St. Albans were ridiculed, but he never returned to the Thirds, although he kept in touch with several of his local friends.
Creditable war service was done by the boys of the troop, and, of course, the seniors went into the forces when they became old enough. Despite the inevitable shortage of scouters, the Thirds survived, thanks to a great extent by the success of the patrol system. Help was given by supporters above military age in such activities as gardening, fencing, boxing, etc. One who gave sterling service was Mr. Arthur Stovell, who took over the treasurership and held it for 25 years. He was the father of Mr. H.F. Stovell, who served in various capacities in the Thirds and the 8th Troop and for the Local Association for more than 50 years. It was during the 1914-18 war that Wolf Cubs (now called Cub Scouts) began to appear on the scene. The Third's pack was formed towards the end of hostilities. The first Cub Master, as the rank was then termed, was a Miss Wheeler - though, like many other packs springing up at that stage, the Third's was a junior section of the troop and was put in the charge of a patrol leader. The first in this case was P.L. Addington.
1916The Tempest-Hicks Cup for advanced ambulance and home nursing work was won by a team from the Third St Albans Troop. They were Bert Stovell, Bert Pellant, Leslie Sharp and Bill Capstick.
1917   April. St Albans District acquired a large three storey building with a basement at the corner of Upper Marlborough Road and Victoria Street. Known as Pageant House it was funded through the generosity of Mr Macklewraith. The building was used extensively for District and County events. The Third St Albans Troop used the top floor as their HQ for the next 22 years and their famous Trek Cart lived in the basement. Pageant House was sold in 1944 and the money used to fund the development of Scouting in St Albans.
1919 During WWI Scouts were credited with achieving many acts of valour. In 1919, a book The Scout's book of Heroes was written by two Hertfordshire Scouts, Vera Barclay and F. Haydn Dimmock, and records the stories of individual Scouts and lists a high number of military awards including eleven Victoria Crosses. From the Third St Albans there was Scout Frank Gough who served in the Hertfordshire Regiment.
1920 After World War I, quite a number of service men returned to Scouting, among them Vincent Callard, Torn Quick and H.F. (Bert) Stovell. Mr. Callard took over the Scoutmastership from Mr. H. Salwey, and Frank Stanton teamed up with him as his Assistant S.M. For a year or two, Bert Smith acted as another A.S.M., having been seconded from the Fourth. Then further reorganization of the Movement took place. Imperial Headquarters decreed that a Group Scoutmaster should assume overall responsibility for all three sections of a troop – Wolf Cubs, Scouts and Rovers.
By now, Vincent Callard and Miss Wheeler had left the district, so Frank Stanton became the first Group Scoutmaster of the Third. A.S.M. Attwood was promoted to Scoutmaster and Miss L. King to Cub Mistress. Subsequently, Miss King was replaced by Miss L. Griffin, who remained as Akela until 1966. Shortly after the Group system came into being, a young man arrived in St. Albans from the Cambridge University Rover Crew. He served a spell in the 4th Troop and then joined the Third. His name was Michael Terry, and he agreed to be A.S.M. to Mr. Stanton. Those two served the Group well for many years.
1926 Competing Teams for the Tempest Hicks Ambulance test were assembled at the Hatfield LA Headquarters. Each team was sent in turn to be examined in the nearby Science School. Out of a possible 40 marks, the Third St Albans Troop score 36.
1927 The much sought after Tempest-Hicks Cup (for advanced Ambulance work) was won by Third St Albans Scout Troop. They were awarded 52 marks over the only other competitors, Third New Barnet Troop who received 44 marks. The judge Dr Poole from Whetstone wrote that the Third St Albans had an undoubted advantage with their superior equipment and headquarters.
1929 The biggest Jamboree of all time was held in Arrow Park, near Birkenhead. A tot al of 60,000 scouts pitched their tents in the main camping area, and another lot , nearly as big, on auxiliary sites. The Third's representatives included Frank Stanton, Archie Martin, Frank Dorman and George Burrell. Incessant rain turned the place into a sea of mud. Nevertheless a wonderful time was had by all.
1931 January: The Third St Albans Rover Crew decided it was about time they had a Crew Logbook and George Burrell was invited to write his memories.
July: The Comyns Cup Competition took place for the second year in succession in Gorhambury Park. Out of a total of 13 teams from the county, four were from St Albans District. The winners were the First Victoria School Berkhamsted who rated 154 points out of 180. The Fourth St Albans got 153 points and the Third St Albans 149 points in third place.
1932 The Third St Albans Troop took fourth place in the Comyns Cup for camping efficiency. First place was taken again by the Fourth St Albans Troop. The six Scouts for the team making the Hound Patrol were S. J. Mutton, F. Goodwin, J. Myhill, S. Smith, P. Chamberlain, P. Fielder. They were all hand picked by their Group Scoutmaster (the CO) Charles Dymoke Green Snr, and were all PLs or Seconds of their own Patrols. The CO had ensured they went on practice camps in Gorhambury prior to the competition and now that Jim their Scoutmaster was no longer with them he came out unannounced to inspect them on a regular basis.
The Tempest-Hicks cup for Advanced Ambulance work was won by Fourth St Albans. In second place was First St Albans and third was Third and Sixth St Albans.
1934 The fifth reunion dinner of the Third St Albans Group took place at the Bell Hotel and was organised by the Group Scoutmaster F. B. Stanton. It was also the twenty-fifth anniversary of the inauguration of the Troop in 1909. Many past members spent time reminiscing over the hand written logbooks and photographs on display.
1937 The Local Executive decided that it was time they had their own Scout Shop to enable boys to obtain t heir uniforms and troops to buy their camping gear, etc, at a reasonable price. George Burrell and Mike Terry volunteered to run it. When Frank Stanton retired as G.S.M. after serving in the Thirds for 16 years, George Burrell became Group Scoutmaster, Lillian Griffin Akela, Jim Owen Rover Leader and Miss Siggins Assistant Cubmaster. Frank Stanton continued service on the Group Council for many years.
1939 It was in August 1939 that the troop camped near the ruins of Corfe Castle. That was to be the last camp away from home for many a long day. Within a month, Britain went to war again, once more against Germany. Due to call-up and other war time commitments, most troops lost their leaders, and had it not been for Mike Terry and Lil Griffin, the Third could have collapsed. Mike would often cycle to and from his work in all weathers, a round trip of fifty miles. The petrol allowance for his motor-bike limited him to using it for only one week in four. The Rover crew went out of existence; Ted Norman, who had joined as a scout in 1913, had been its last leader. Among the young men who went into the forces was A.S .M. Gordon Atkins, R.A.F. He and another airman lost their lives while attempting to rescue a comrade who was also drowned. Patrol Leader Len Brimm gave his wrong age so as t o get into the Glider Pilot Regiment; he was killed in Korea when his glider crashed into another which happened to be piloted by a member of the 4th St. Albans, Dennis Fielden. Dennis also died. Rover Scout Frank Dorman became one of the Desert Ra t s who fought at Alemein. He was wounded, but survived, and returned to help the group.
1945 By the time the war ended, the Thirds were virtually homeless. However, the 4th Group came to their rescue by offering the use of their H.Q. "The Jim Hut" in Old London Road. Tom Bickerton, life president The Third Group owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Bickerton family. Tom was Chairman of the Group Committee for many years and was made life president on his retirement. He was also Chairman for several years of the Local Association. Mrs Bickerton was on the Group Committee and acted as its secretary for a long time . Their son Michael joined the Thirds as a Wolf Cub, and over the years has been a tower of strength. When the Thirds went camping, it was generally Bickerton's lorry that carted the gear; and the annual summer camp became a rendezvous for the family, accommodation usually being found in a near by village. It became a ritual for them to treat the boys to a fish and chip supper.
1967 A piece of land, just off Waverley Road, was purchased by Tom for his builder's business. I t was larger than he wanted, so he sold part of it to the Local Association. They, in turn, leased a section of it to the Thirds. This was just what they wanted to enable them to build a headquarters. A large army Nissen hut in the next field was offered to them for £10 on condition that they completely cleared the site. However, not a piece of the building could be re-erected, as it fell to pieces with rust. But good use was made of the concrete base. This was broken up and used as the hard core in the base of the first building to be erected. This was an ex-army hut in poor condition but better than nothing. Over the years extensions were added, and it served its purpose until, thanks to a lot of fundraising activities and grants from the local authority, it was possible to start work on a new H.Q. To keep the cost down, scouts and scouters, parents and other supporters willingly gave their labour voluntarily.
The Third St Albans Scout Group opened its new HQ. It had been built on land donated in perpetuity by Tom Bickerton, a local builder who had been a great supporter of St Albans Scouting. The HQ was opened by John Gott MBE, Chief Constable of Northampton and former chairman of St Albans District.
A little earlier, Imperil Headquarters had decreed that uniformed personnel must retire' when they reached the age of 65. Rover and Senior Scout sections were also abolished. This included George Burrell the Group Scoutmaster who, like many others in the County, was broken hearted after all his hard work and that District Rover Scout Leader Steve Rees was out of a job. So Steve took over the Thirds and more outdoor activities were carried out than ever before. Dave Allan, Eric Fensome and Mike Terry were responsible for most of the organised rock climbing, canoeing, sailing and camping. Eric Fensome had already taken his Senior Scouts abroad on several occasions. During one of their trips to the Black Forest, they had made friends with a German scout troop, and for four summers the Germans and the Thirds exchanged visits. When Eric had to give up as Scout Leader, Dave Allan took over. He had been a member of the Group since his Wolf Cub days, and no one ever showed more energy or inspiration. Then John May came on the scene. He had never been a scout, but he was persuaded to become Group Scout Leader a position he was destined to hold with great distinction until1983, when he retired through ill health.
1975 "George Burrell, with the aid of his pen and an astounding memory has brought interest, knowledge, sadness, nostalgia and joy to many of us in recounting the History of the Thirds; to say the least he has been modest over his own service to the Thirds and, indeed, to Scouting as a whole, all of which, perhaps, can only be assessed by being the recipient of the Silver Acorn last year".
2009 The Third St Albans celebrate their 100th anniversary with a visit to Gillwell Park.
2010 January: The first meeting of the Eric Fensome Beaver Scout Colony was held at the Third St Albans Scout HQ. The Beaver Scout Leaders were Disa Young and John Cobb and their assistants Chris Robb, Ian Bolam and Alex Donoghue. The Colony was named after Eric Fensome who had been a Leader with the Group from 1935 until his death in 2002.
March: The first meeting of the reformed George Burrell Cub Scout Pack was held at the Third St Albans Scout HQ. The Leaders were Priscilla Amadis, Vijay Patel and Christophe Montoya. The Pack was named after George Burrell who had been the Group Leader with the Third St Albans for many years.