The History of 1st Stoke-on-Trent & Newcastle, St. Andrew's Porthill Scout Group

 

The Troop operated a separate patrol, Bulldog, at St. Andrew's sister church, St. Wulstan's, Longbridge Hayes.

The next major event for the Troop (as it was then), was of course, World War 1. During that War, twelve of our Scouts were killed while serving in the Army. After the war, a memorial was put in Church and a stained glass window depicting St. George was dedicated to the Scout Troop. You can see more about them by looking at our on-line memorial page.
One of the people mentioned on the memorial is Rev. Frederick W Cleveland MC. He was awarded the Military Cross for 'great gallantry and devotion to duty'. This citation was published in the London Gazette dated 3 October 1919. You can read his full citation here. It is a shame that his courage led to his death.

This picture was taken in 1913 at St. Wulstan's Church Longbridge Hayes. Rev. Cleveland is seen on the front row. It is thought that all of the Altar Servers on this photograph were Porthill Scouts. They are - Front row - Jack Emery, Fr. Cleveland, Arthur Alcock Back row - Harry Shyrbottom, Colin Jackson, Bert Hind, Aly Jackson, Fred Holdford

This photograph shows Aly and Colin Jackson in their army uniforms. Both were killed in the Great War, but only Colin is listed on the Scout's war memorial. Aly is listed on the main memorial. However, it is thought that Aly was a Porthill Scout. Photographs courtesy of the Hickton Family

 

By 1919, the Troop was recorded as being registered with Imperial Headquarters on 1st October. This document also shows that the Troop was originally registered in 1911. Prior to 1919, all records were kept by the District Secretary. From 1919 they were kept at Headquarters.
It is also interesting to note that our meeting place of St. Andrews Church Hall is first mentioned. This is the place where we still meet to this day! The Scout Master was still the Rev. Nash and his Assistant Scout Master was a Mr. G. Smith. By now there were 35 boys in the Troop.

1919 registration.

On 12th June 1924, The Prince of Wales, later to be King Edward VIII, visited Stoke-on-Trent and can be seen below inspecting some Scouts. Were Our Scouts there?

The Prince of Wales is wearing the bowler hat and is accompanied by Mr. Ronald Copeland (Scout Commissioner) and Alderman F Culling (Mayor of Stoke).

 

By 9th September 1926, the Scout Master was a Mr. William Bird and his Assistant Scout Master was still Mr. George Smith. The Troop had 34 Scouts and now had 12 Rover Scouts.

1926 registration.

In 1927 Baden-Powell visited Hanley Park. Were our Scouts there? For an event as important as the Chief Scout visiting the area, it is probably safe to assume that our Scouts were there!

 

On the registration document of 19th November 1928, Mr. George Smith was now the Scout Master and he now had two Assistant Scout Masters, Mr. D. Cartlidge and Mr. C. W. Simpson. Numbers had gone down a little by then, but the Troop still had 28 Scouts and 16 Rover Scouts.
All Packs and Troops were re-registered in 1928 with Headquarters when the Group system of registration was introduced.

1928 registration.

 

Please note, all the documents are © The Scout Association unless otherwise stated and all photographs are © The Wood Family unless otherwise stated.