Photo Archive 1940 - 1949 |
If you would like to submit a Manx Scouting Photo to this Archive, please send it to the email address you will find at the bottom of this page, with as much info as you can. You also need to be the copyright holder of the image or have the permission of the copyright holder to allow it to be published on this website.
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In 1948 six Senior Scouts were selected to represent the Island at a Jamboree at Blair Athol. This was a ground breaking event as the lads travelled to/from, and attended, the event without any Leaders. Those in the photograph, taken just before their departure for Ardrossan on the Tynwald, are (left to right) Ron Shimmin (1st KWC), Orry Teare (1st Rushen), Eric "Ginger" Cowley (1st Malew), Peter Newbold (5th Douglas), John Corlett (1st Douglas) and Albert "Nipper" Maddrell (1st Rushen). Photo from the Scout Archive |
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Scout Michael Coupe, of 5th Douglas (St Thomas' - The Bishop's Own) has his hat adjusted by The Chief Scout, Lord Rowallan, during inspection at the camp held in the Nunnery grounds in 1949. Photo submitted by Peter Kelly |
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Geoffrey Corlett was a member of 5th Douglas St Thomas' (Bishop's Own) Troop who met in St Thomas' Church Hall (until recently the Red Cross HQ) in Derby Road. He won his gold cords (on his right shoulder with tassel) which was awarded to First Class Scouts who earned 18 proficiency badges and the President's Award. He also won his King's Scout's Award in 1943 - 44. A Gold Cord King's Scout was a rare bird and the highest training award for proficiency and achievement within the Scouting Movement. Another Gold Cord King's Scout was Major General Michael Walsh who was Chief Scout in 1982 - 88. Photo submitted by Peter Kelly |
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In 1947 the first post war Jamboree was held and a small contingent went from the Isle of Man. At King William's College they had just restarted the Senior Scouts and lots were drawn amongst the four lads in the Senior Troop to see who would go to the Jamboree. Jimmy Crighton of Port Erin was selected and by way of a consolation the Group Scoutmaster Norton Christal, decided to take the other three lads on a trip to the UK. Ron Shimmmin, Harry Watterson and George Gelling went with him to Oxford and then into London where they stayed on HMS Discovery and then in a local Scout Group Headquarters. Norton Christal had been a master and Scoutmaster at KWC before the war, during his war service in the RAF he lost his sight but returned to teaching and Scouting playing a similar part to previously. In Oxford he took the lads on the river in a punt but the pole got stuck and he was left hanging onto it mid-stream as the punt with the Scouts inside floated away. With a later trip to the UK he would cycle with the Scouts who took turn to take the front seat of the tandem with him peddling away on the back seat. This photograph was taken by George Gelling in London Zoo on a very hot August day 1947 and shows Ron Shimmin, Norton Christal and Harry Watterson. Photo submitted by D. G. Gelling |
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Sid Copley, was a grounds man at Nottingham Cricket Ground. Shortly before the war he became a substitute in the English team and caught out a famous Australian player thus winning the match for England. He came to the Island, living in Castletown and working as grounds man at King William's College where he was an Assistant Scoutmaster. This photograph was taken at the all Island Scout Camp held at The Nunnery in 1949 on the occasion of the visit of The Chief Scout, Lord Rowallan. Photo submitted by D. G. Gelling |
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King William's College had Scouts in the Junior House and the main college (or School as it was called) for older boys. This photograph was taken in 1944 and has been supplied by George Gelling of Douglas. George became a King's Scout with the college Troop in February 1949. He has been able to name the lads but the name of the lady in the background escapes him. Can you help? Apparently it is not Miss Clague who was the Cub Mistress and also ran the Troop following the departure of Norton Christal when he joined the R.A.F. in the early years of the war. Back Row: (left to right) J.L. Crighton, W.A. Gilberry, J.I.B. Marle, R.G. Kneale, R.C. Gelling, K.A. Low, J.C. Cannell Middle Row: F.J. Lace, V.G. McColl, D.G. Gelling, I. Hunter, J.P. Watterson, J.C. Dean Front Row: E.C. Christian, G.W.P. Waldren, D.M. Howarth, C.B. Davies, P.N.A. Lowe and D.C. Bardsley Photo submitted by D. G. Gelling |
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Alan Corlett, joined 1st Douglas Wolf Cubs as a fair haired 8 year old in 1936. In 1937 he was selected to take the part of Mowgli in a presentation of The Jungle Book involving all Cub Packs on the Island at the Villa Marina. He recalls having something rubbed over his skin to darken him up and mum made a little pair of pants out of material to resemble an animal pelt. He had to crawl around on all fours but for part of the time he rode on the back of Baloo the bear. Inside the bear costume was 20 year old Rover Scout Victor Kneale of 4th Douglas who was also Cub Akela at 1st Braddan. In 1939 Alan went up into scouts and in 1944 won his King's Scout Badge and proud mum whisked him off to Miss Kirton's to be photographed. In 1949 he left the Island to join the merchant navy. Photo submitted by Peter Kelly |
