Scout Group History

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80 years scouting

 The earliest British scout group in Belgium was in Brussels, in about 1910 and was run by H Parfitt  who later became the first chief scout of Belgium. We don't  know exactly when our group started as the early British records were lost so we can't be sure if there is a link. However the earliest registration records which can be found for our group date to 1924, and show us meeting at the same place ; Holy Trinity Brussels, (then called Christ Church) This means more then 80 years of British scouting in Brussels.
old postcard
The troop in 1928

Recently we met an ex scout who was a member of First Brussels  from 1935-1940 some of his photos are shown above.  During the war the group was disbanded and he became a member of a Belgian scout group Some of the activities they did at that time were:

Events 1935-1939 HQ was basement of Square de L’Industrie
Scout evening at Christ church hall: ‘the wives of King Henry ‘ to raise funds
Invitation to British Boy scouts in Antwerp, slept aboard a small cruiser belonging to the sea scouts

Troop Activities: Ambulance efficiency, Repairing toys for Christmas tree, Guide/interpreter to British scout  troop from Leeds, Waterloo, special church built in steel, Meeting with Eclaireurs Français

Camps: Remouchamp, Corbion, Domaine D’Argenteuil’ World Jamboree in Holland Vogelzang 1937

Parade Special march past of all the Belgian scouts in the presence of HRH King Leopold III at the Royal Palace.  1st Brussels led the parade followed by the Eclaireurs de France

1939/40 New HQ Rue Joseph II garage
Events:  Christ church service attended by Anthony Eden (foreign affairs minister) who presented the colours. A Union flag and a green and yellow 1st Brussels flag. (which we still use today)

Activities during the war
10th May 1940
General dispersion: without instructions of British community
July 1940 relocated  in Mont de Marsan (Landes)
Diverse activities for British scouts, refugee committee and Red cross.
Active as a dispatch rider
Interpreter for St John Nurses who had an ambulance and a Bedford Truck

 

mrmallenger
Mr Mallenger showing his souvenirs at our AGM in 2005.
 They've since been donated to the Scout museum in Leuven. There are more photos here

If you are an ex member of our group and have photos or documents about our group please contact us!
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