Photo Archive 1950 - 1959 |
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 September 1949 Jack Gair, a teacher of Douglas High School for Boys started the 10th Douglas (High School) Troop and in July 1950 took the troop on a visit to London staying in a Y.M.C.A.. With Jack was fellow teacher and scoutmaster Harry Carr. Also with them to give a hand were Howard Magee, Dave Bennett and Mike Whittaker. The photograph was taken in Trafalgar Square and those in the picture are (left to right):- Back Row: Jack Gair, Donald Jones, Ken Bridson, Geoff Houghton, Brian Clarke, Jim Cowell, Cedric Cannell, Juan Costain, Ramsey Corlett, Dave Bennett, Howard Magee and Harry Carr. Middle Row: Steve Biggs, Graham Adshead, Ken Quane, Bobby Skillicorn, Mattie Ward, Edwin Coole, Colin Lancaster and Ken Creer. Front Row: Mike Whittaker, Peter Corris, Ralph Cocker, Arthur Taggart, Eric Moore, Dave Breadner and John Maxfield. Photo submitted by Captain Ken Bridson |
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By 1955, the 10th Douglas (High School) Scout Troop had become so popular and successful, that it had expanded into three separate sections - Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and Air Scouts. This photograph was taken on Ballakermeen playing fields in 1955 and, on the second row (seated) features - from L to R - the following leaders: Ken Quane (Troop Leader), Orry Wrangham (Senior Scouts), Jack Gair (Boy Scouts), Maurice Holmes (Headmaster), Clucas Crellin (Sea Scouts) and Orry Teare (Air Scouts). Photo submitted by Jack Gair |
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In 1949, Jack Gair started the 10th Douglas (High School) Scout Troop and, for the next 8 years, involved many pupils and teachers in Scouting activities. One of many such activities was a trip to Annamoe in Eire in 1951. This photo shows the three leaders at that Scout Camp. L to R: Murray Watterson, Jack Gair and Tom Williams. Photo submitted by Murray Watterson |
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Jack passionately believed in the value of travel to help broaden young minds. He based his educational philosophy on the Senior Scout motto, 'Look Wide'. Here, Troop Leader Derek Tuck, supervised by Jack, prepares dinner over an open fire for the hungry gang at the Annamoe camp (1951). Derek went on to become the Troop's first Queen's Scout. Photo submitted by Murray Watterson |
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Between 1949 and 1957, Jack organised many similar trips, both in the UK (to London and Eire) and abroad to locations which included Luxembourg, Belgium, France and Denmark. This is another photo of the 1951 Annamoe trip. The Scouts cooling off are: L to R: Colin Lancaster, Frank Magee, Arthur Eaton, Michael Jones, Ken Quane, Jack Gair (GSM), Murray Watterson (SM - stooping), Geoff Kelly (3rd Peel Cub), Norman Cretney and John Timson. Photo submitted by Murray Watterson |
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Allan Cretney of 1st Douglas receives his Queen's Scout Certificate in the Mayor's Parlour, Douglas in 1958. Pictured left to right are John Corlett (Scoutmaster 1st Douglas), Mrs Sewell, His Worship the Mayor T.D. Lewis JP, Nunk Sewell (Island Commissioner), Allan, Mayoress Mrs Lewis, Douglas Blakey (Town Clerk), Mrs Cretney (Allan's Mum), T.O. Fisher (GSM 1st Douglas). The presentation was followed by afternoon tea - a bit different from being presented with your badge in the scout hall. Photo submitted by Peter Kelly |
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8th Douglas (St Ninian's) Cubs - Soccer Xl c.1957. Back row: Robert Ranscombe, John Woods, Peter Quirk, Bruce Hannay, Peter Crellin. Front row: Terry Carr, Michael Dougherty , Dougie Clague, Tim Coulter, Roy Sweetman, Phil Kneen. Photo submitted by John Timson |
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10th Douglas Senior Scout camp at Druidale. Easter 1959. Rabbit pie for tea! From left to right: Keith Scarffe, Tony Cullen, Guy Redmayne, Mike Riley, John Timson, Roger Cowley and SM(S) Richard Stowell. Keith, Tony and Mike all went on to become Queen's scouts. Photo submitted by John Timson |
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A feature of the 1950s was Assault-at-Arms Competitions held between the groups. They usually took the form of boxing and wrestling matches. This photograph was taken in the gym at Ballakermeen School. This photograph shows Young on the left and Timson (10th Douglas) on the right. Photo supplied by the Scout Association - Isle of Man Archive |
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In 1954 the Scout Association held a special camp in the grounds of the Nunnery thanks to the generosity of Captain Fry-Goldie-Taubman. The camp was open to Scouts from the UK as well and several hundred attended. They called it Yn Chaglym. In this photograph the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Ambrose Dundas Flux Dundas (tall bald headed gentleman in the mac) inspects the Scouts from 10th Douglas (Douglas High School for Boys) Troop. On the extreme right is their G.S.M. Jack Gair. Photo supplied by Douglas High School for Boys Archive |
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3rd Castletwon Cubs photographed in 1952 or 53 with their Cub Master Steve Cubbon, who taught at Victoria Road School where the Cubs met. He later became Headmaster of Foxdale School where he set up another Cub Pack. Back Row: (left to right): Nicholas Jamieson, Robert Cretney, Brian Corkill, David Wilkinson and Stuart Collister. Second Row: Peter Dyke (leading sixer), John Moore, Ewan Curphey, Peter Mills, Sidney Corrin, Ron Ronan, Alan Thompson (not in uniform), Brian Johnstone and Alan Pickard. Third Row: David Mammen, Michael Field, Mr S.H. Cubbon (Akela), Ronnie McGowan, Brian Kneen and Donald Johnstone. Front Row: George Goddard, Roy Cooil, Mike Atkinson, Brian Young, John Bulman (midway between rows), Phil Taubman and twins John Corrin and Ted Corrin. Photo submitted by Mrs Cubbon of Castletown |
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Camp Fire's Burning (or is it?) Following the official opening of Cunningham House (the second) by Olave , Lady Baden Powell, a camp fire was held in the grounds of the new headquarters. The singing was lead by the Isle of Man's answer to Ralph Reader - Jack Gair, who is seen here with his arm in the air. Behind him is Jean Thornton Dewsberry who took both the guides and cubs at Maughold. Jack was responsible for the formation of a Rover Crew at HMS St George during the Second World War, 10th Douglas Scouts at Douglas High School for Boys, 1st Kirk Michael Cubs when he was headmaster there and then 1st Laxey Cubs when he became headmaster at that school. He has been a member of the brotherhood of Scouts since he became a cub in 1920 and now at 93 is still a strong supporter of the movement. Photo submitted by Peter Kelly |
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This photo is of the Manx Contingent who attended the Jubilee Jamboree in August 1957, at Sutton Park near Sutton Coldfield. Over 30,000 Scouts from all over the world attended - the Manx group were in Vogelenzang sub-camp - each of the sub-camps was named after a previous Jamboree. It was a great experience and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The photo was taken on Douglas quayside on our return - the two Scout Leaders were Mr Kelly (10th Douglas) and Commander Green from Peel. The Contingent was made up of Scouts from all over the Island - we had a weekend camp at Mullin-ny-Carty before we went so we could get to know each other. Photo submitted by George Kneale |
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Opening of Cunningham House (Mark 2). The second property to be presented to the Island Scout and Guide Movements by Mr & Mrs Willie Cunningham was previously known as The Hermitage and was in Peel Road, Douglas (now the site of First Choice Autos). The opening was performed by Olave, Lady Baden Powell on 11th May 1955. Many of the Island's Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies witnessed the event at 6.30pm and afterwards took part in a camp fire held in the paddock which formed part of the grounds to the rear and on the level of the river and railway line. The singing was led by Jack Gair. In the centre of this photograph are Tony Cullen of 10th Douglas (Sea Scout) and Richard Jeffreys of 1st King William's who both later that year attended the 8th World Jamboree at Niagara, Canada. Photo submitted by Peter Kelly |
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Keith Lang was a Scout with 1st King William's Group, becoming a Senior Scout and then Assistant Scoutmaster. He became a Queen's Scout in November 1952 and attended the Windsor Parade in April 1953. He continued in Scouting from the time he left the Island in July 1955; his last warranted appointment was as Group Scout Leader of a large Group near his home of Standish. He was also Leader Trainer and now he is Mountaineering Activities Adviser and Mountain Walker Assessor for Greater Manchester West County Scout Council. He attended the 1957 World Jamboree to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Scouting working as part of the catering staff. Keith's twin sons are both Queen's Scouts. Keith is a regular visitor to the island and his home is named Ellan Vannin. Photo submitted by Peter Kelly |
