The origins of Maltby's scout troop
ON THE back of this original photograph is the cryptic inscription 'Scouts, Maltby, S/Yks (Earl of Scarboro Scout Troop)'.
Their uniforms suggest an early 20th century date. We know from the written reminiscences of one of the first Maltby scouts that, by about 1912, a troop had been established in the village and that during the 1914-18 war, the scouts were called upon to act as trusted local messengers.
Our photograph appears to have been taken a little later. Whilst the primitive open-topped motor bus or charabanc, around which the scouts are posed, could date from just before the First World War, the big clue is the short uniform skirt worn by the young lady on the front row.
This indicates that the photograph was taken in about 1920.
That lady (for that is what she certainly is) and the one behind her, who sports a similarly distinguishing wide-brimmed hat, are a bit of a surprise on an early scouting image.
Their lanyards, which would have carried a whistle, mark them out as leaders or officers but are they Girl Scouts or Girl Guides?
Maybe the interest provoked by this year's celebrations of the centenary of the foundation of the Girl Guide Movement will help us to solve that mystery.
Nationally, the Boy Scout movement traces its origins to a two-week visit to Brownsea Island in July 1907 led by the hero of the Relief of Mafeking, General Sir Robert Baden-Powell.
Here 22 young boys, from a range of backgrounds, were introduced to the philosophy and skills which were to shape the developing Boy Scout movement.
Camping, woodcraft, knotting, tracking, teamwork and social responsibility were all important features. Scouting soon became popular and spread both throughout and beyond the United Kingdom.
An interesting local coincidence is that the Scouting foundation date of 1907 was also the year when the first ground was being cleared to accommodate the earliest borings at what was soon to become Maltby Main Colliery.
It was the younger members of the incoming mining population who would be among Maltby's first Boy Scouts.
The unusual and regimental-sounding name of the Maltby troop begs for explanation. Early Scouting, locally, was greatly encouraged by the 10th Earl of Scarbrough who, like Robert Baden Powell, had served in the Boer War.
In recognition of his continuing support, his adopted Maltby troop became 'The Earl of Scarbrough's Own'.
- by Alice Rodgers, for Maltby Local History Society
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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