As part of the District’s St. George’s Day Parade, service of celebration and Promise renewals, the District asked that we give a short talk about remembering Scouts in the First World War.

Our Group Scout Leader, Nick, said the following – 

On 11th November this year we will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the 1st World War. On that day, there will be many events to commemorate the end of that war and to remember those who were killed in that and subsequent wars.

A lot of you may be thinking “why and so what?”, as these were events that happened a century ago.

Let me take you back to 1918. In that year we know there are Scouts in Audley, Basford, Porthill, in Newcastle Town Centre and there are Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Cubs all over Newcastle and North Staffordshire (sorry Beavers and Rainbows, you will have to wait around 60 – 70 years before your sections start) and they did what you all do today. They did activities that were challenging, exciting, fun and adventurous, but without social media, mobile phones and computers! But as well, they helped with the war effort at home. The Scouts of North Staffordshire raised money to buy an ambulance and some local Scoutmasters became Police Special Constables. Scouts and Guides even worked for MI5 in London!

But what of the people? I want to introduce you to John Tomlinson. We don’t know a great deal about him and this rather poor photo is the only one we have of him. John was born in Hanley in January or February 1898. He probably joined the Scout Troop at Porthill in 1909 when he was 11 years old. In 1911, when he was 13 years old, John and his family lived in Catherine Street, May Bank (his house is still there today by the way) and he worked as an apprentice at Twyfords pottery in Cliffe Vale.

In September 1914, a month after the start of the Great War, John went to volunteer to join the army in the North Staffordshire Regiment. He shouldn’t have been able to join the army as he was 16 years old, but the recruiting sergeant probably told him to go away, have a quick walk around the block and think about his age again. When he returned to the recruitment centre, he would have been 19 years old and then a private in the army. He was quickly transferred into the 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). John was sent to France in August 1915 and that September and October he fought in the famous Battle of Loos and during this battle he was wounded by an exploding artillery shell.
He recovered from his wounds, fought on and the following year he was fighting in the Battle of the Somme. Sadly, on 6th November 1916, he died of the wounds he received. He is buried in the Grove Town Cemetery in France. John was just 18 years old.

John is one of the 18 men who died during the First World War who had been Scouts at Porthill. There were 2 men killed during the war who had been Scouts at the 2nd St. Pauls Troop in Newcastle. It is highly likely that some of the men from Audley who were killed in the war were Audley Scouts, but unfortunately records do not survive. There were many men from across the whole of North Staffordshire killed in the First World War who had been Scouts.
Basford, Porthill & Silverdale Scout Groups have their own Memorials to remember Scouts like John and do so each year on Remembrance Day.

On Remembrance Day every year, we pay special homage to those who died, like John, in service to their country. We remember these brave men and women for their courage and their devotion to ideals. We wear poppies, attend ceremonies, and visit memorials. For one brief moment of our life, we remember why we must work for peace every day of the year.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

 

This was followed by members of the Drum Corps playing the Last Post followed by Reveille.

On Sunday, we joined Scouts from across the District to parade in Newcastle Town centre to commemorate the patron saint of Scouting, St. George.
Over 300 Scouts and their volunteer Leaders, gathered at The Queens Gardens Newcastle before parading at 2.45pm along The Ironmarket, via High Street to St Giles Church for a service.

Newcastle’s Town Cryer, Mr Gordon Brayford, helped enhance the sense of occasion and our Drum Corps lead the parade, followed by Scouts from the District and invited representatives from the Girl Guides.

As the parade passed by the Cenotaph in High Street, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Wing Commander Elliott Sharrard Williams together with the Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Simon White took the salute. The parade then processed in to church for a celebratory service, renewing Promise and a celebration of Scouting and local Scouting activities. As 2018 is the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1, part of the service commemorated Scouts who gave their lives during this conflict and the story of one of our Scouts, John Tomlinson, was told.
In Church, two of the Scouts were presented with the Chief Scout’s Gold Award and John and Nick were presented with long service awards..

More photographs can be seen here.

One hundred years ago today, nearly three and a half years into the Great War and only four days after the previous Scout died, Private Harold Bailey, 36622 King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 9th Battalion died age 19.

Harold was a Porthill Scout, and was the fourteen of eighteen of our Scouts, that we know of, that were killed in the Great War.

You can read his full story here.

Joseph Matthew Hollis b. Wolstanton 1898 – d. France 1918.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

One hundred years ago today, nearly three and a half years into the Great War, Private Joseph Matthew Hollis, 201905 2/6th Battalion Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment) died age 23.

Joseph was a Porthill Scout, and was the thirteenth of eighteen of our Scouts, that we know of, that were killed in the Great War.

You can read his full story here.

Joseph Matthew Hollis b. Newcastle 1894 – d. France 1918.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Dear Parent /Carer

Scout Association Membership Fees 2018

The Scout Association annual membership fees are now due. The fee for this year is £38 per member. Porthill Scout Group do not keep this money, it has to be paid directly to the Scout Association to run the organisation.

This cost runs into thousands of pounds for our Group and the swift collection of this membership fee is vital to the future of the Group. The executive committee therefore has stated that all fees must be paid by 20th April. If your child’s fees are not paid by that date then, unfortunately, they may no longer be able to attend.

Last year most parents chose to make payments via our website or by credit or debit card. To pay using this method please click here.

The payments are processed by PayPal, in the same way you can pay online for items from retailers such as Domino’s Pizza or Interflora. You do not need to have a PayPal account to pay (you can use your credit or debit card) and all the payments are taken via PayPal’s website, so you can be sure that your details are secure, and we do not keep any of your card details. Once the payment has been made, you will receive a receipt via email.

If you wish to pay by cash or cheque, please send this to your son’s /daughter’s next Scout / Cub / Beaver meeting. Receipts will be provided for any cash payments. Please make cheques payable to “1st St Andrews Porthill Scout Group”.
If your child is a new member, please can you also ask to complete a Gift Aid declaration form (available from section leaders).

If you have any queries regarding this payment, please speak to your section leader.

Thank you.
Yours in Scouting
Kevin – Group Treasurer

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas and new year. We’re all ready to start Scouting in 2018 and we have some exciting things planned for the year – watch this space!

All our sections are back this week at their normal meeting times –

• Scouts Tuesday (tomorrow)
• Drums Thursday
• Beavers and Cubs Friday

All the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Leaders and adult helpers from 1st Porthill Scout Group would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See you in 2018 (our 110th year!).

We’re very pleased to announce that two of our adult helpers and Leaders have recently been presented with awards recognising their work in Scouting.

Firstly our Treasurer, Kevin, has been awarded the 15 years service award. Kevin has been our treasurer all this time and, more recently, the District treasurer as well. Many people help the Group who are not Leaders and we are pleased when they get recognised, like Kevin, for all they do for our young people.

Secondly, our Beaver Leader, Rachael, has been awarded the  Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service. This is given in respect of not less than 5 years good service, which stands out. It should be regarded as the Chief Scout’s recognition of the very real contribution made to the Association by the individual concerned. Rachael was presented the award in front of the cast of the Burdi Boys Gang Show last week where she had the role of producer.

Congratulations to both Kevin and Rachael, we are very proud of you both!

Today our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, along with Porthill’s Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, paid tribute to those who have been killed while serving in the armed forces, by parading through the streets of Bradwell and Porthill and taking part in an act of Remembrance at St. Andrews Church.
The parade started at St. Barnabas Church, Bradwell and was again led by our Drum Corps. The young people were joined by members of the congregation of St. Barnabas Church, our parish priest Fr. Chris Routledge, Assistant Curate Revd. Alison Hudson, lots of parents and a number of veterans.
The parade was watched by many people along the route.

The Beavers carried poppies with the names of the 23 Porthill Scouts who had been killed while serving in the First and Second World Wars (see our Remembrance Page).
At Porthill’s War Memorial, a wreath was laid by a Scout and Guide in memory of those killed in all wars. The police who had provided officers to ensure we were safe on the roads while parading, also placed a wreath on the Memorial. One of Porthill’s Borough Councillors, the Church and a local member of the Royal British Legion also place wreaths.
Thank you to all who came.
See more photos in the Gallery.

The Beavers made their own wreath and created a poem about Remembrance Day.