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The History of
1st Byfleet Scout Group
Page 2
Letter from Henry
Castlemaine
Godalming
SURREY
22nd December. 1980.
Mrs E. Hookins,
Byfleet
Dear Mrs Hookins,
Thank you for your letter of 19th Dec 1980 and I am most
interested to have your reply, and we will deal with the various
items as they come.
Captain Horn was
crippled in the First W.W. and was confined to a wheelchair. He
lived in Plough Bridge Bungalow, and his garden adjoined that of
Clock House, where in those days lived Colonel Richardson who
was famous as a most noted breeder of Airdale dogs. I regret I
have no knowledge of the whereabouts of Captain Horn, but I
should think he has passed on.
Delighted to know
you have heard from my lifelong friend Les Webb. We were both in
the “Seal” Patrol, and I have photographs taken from Hayling
Island dated 1916! And Les is on them, both of them!
Dickie Pullen and
I were great Pals and of course I remember very well his cousin
Gordon and as for Tibbles Bowers- Mrs Hookins- what a land of
memories you have opened up for me and to be quite honest I am
at a loss to know how to thank you.
But wait a bit I
know I will tell you some good news. I have found about 50-yes
50 old photographs and every one has strong connections with my
1st Byfleet, and furthermore I will see to it that they will be
with you in good time for your show!
Have you
approached Mr. H.T. Freeland (Bert ) yet? He used to live near
my old home The Plough, I think it was Hopefield Road on
Hopefield Gardens, it was alongside the Village Hall ie going
towards St. Mary’s C of E School.
Now the sad part
my wife is very ill and we are unable to leave her alone for
very long, so I shall have to get someone to stay with her when
I come up to Byfleet. But I have always lived by the great man’s
words- “Be Prepared” so you may trust me when I say “I’ll think
of something".
May I wish you and
yours-Yes, and The First Byfleet the compliments of the
Christmas Season and The Whole of the Year to come.
Sincerely yours
Henry T.
Castlemaine.
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 In 1916 Wolf Cubs
were formed nationally and in Byfleet. They were based around
the Jungle Books of Rudyard Kipling, with the Cubs having their
own distinct uniform, badges, motto, sign, salute, etc.
Wolf Cubs dealt with those too young to be Scouts,
so what was to
be done with those too old to be Scouts? Well, in 1917, just before the
end of The Great War, B-P. set up a scheme for Senior Scouts,
which changed its name to Rover Scouts the next year, for anyone
over the age of 18, with Outdoor Adventure and Service as the
mainstays of its programme.
A Major Soames was a Byfleet Scout Master for a time and it is
reputed he was related to B.P.
1927
Camping at Pagham Bay
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