1st Romford Scout Group History
(1908 – 1997 records taken from “A History of Romford Scouting Parts I and II, originally compiled by John “Bunny” Warren, District Archivist).
The 1st Romford Scouts first opened the doors in September 1908 and met in St Edwards School at the time located in the Market Place, Romford. The Scoutmaster was D.C. Mackness and his Assistant was F. Hay- Davies who later became District Chairman. The Group scarf colour was red.
The Group moved to Brownsea Hall I, located in Waterloo Road in 1928.
Unfortunately, this hall was destroyed by fire in 1934, rebuilt on the same site and named as Brownsea Hall II.
In 1955 the 1st Romford Group, having been given notice to quit the land on which Brownsea Hall II stood, considered the purchase of land at the end of Dunton Road, and to the rear of houses in Park Drive, but found that the cost of levelling the ground was beyond their means. In November of that year the District Executive were given the option to purchase the land and this area became the District HQ.
The Group eventually managed to find a meeting place and in 1961 moved to our present site, Brownsea Hall III, Knighton Close, Romford.
In 1909, the troop consisted of 40 boys.
Prior to 1928, Boy Scout Troops, Wolf Cub Packs and Rover Crews were registered separately, but in that year the Group system was instituted and the newly-formed Groups had to re-register. This was done without regard to the age of the various sections involved, and this accounts for some apparent anomalies in Group registration numbers which survive until today. Registration document
A Local Association registration in 1928 lists only eleven Groups - the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th and 9th Romford, the 1st and 2nd Gidea Park, the 1st Hornchurch, the 1st Harold Wood and the 1st and 2nd Upminster.
Some people may associate Scouts with wide-brimmed hats, shorts, good turns and bugle bands. Very little on the latter but it has emerged from the archives the 1st Romford had a band in 1937/1938 (at any event they set aside one evening a week for band practice!).
Over the years Groups have closed, amalgamated and new Groups formed. The 14th Romford, originally founded in 1934, amalgamated with the 1st Romford in 1945 and in 2016 the 11th Romford group merged with the 1st Romford group. To celebrate this latest union a new scarf with both colours (yellow & red) from the groups was created.
A year-by-year history of the 1st Romford was written and published by the Group in 1982. A copy is retained in the District archives.
In 2023 there were 16 Scout Groups in the Romford District with most Groups having Beaver, Cub and Scout sections. There were also 5 Explorer Scout Units and an active Network Section. In all, Romford District is home to over 1000 young people and over 300 adults.
BRAVE BOYS
On 18th January 1928 Troop Leader J. F. Wooderson of the 1st Romford was awarded the Silver Cross for bravery. The presentation was made in April by General R.B. Colvin, County Commissioner (Essex) and the Romford Times reported: "at Dovercourt last August (Wooderson) dived from the sea wall to rescue a girl who was drowning. Although he was not a strong swimmer, he succeeded in keeping the girl above water until other members of his Troop came to his assistance with ropes”.
1937: THE CORONATION OF KING GEORGE VI
About thirty Scouts from the District attended the Scout and Guide Coronation Service in Westminster Abbey, and five King’s Scouts from the District had seats along the Procession route. [Coronation report in Scout Pie No. 4]. These included Don Hakes and Harry Carver of the 1st Romford. [”1st Romford Scouts Ancient and Modern, 1982”]
11th Romford
The 11th Romford were founded in 1929 and originally based at The Royal Liberty School along with the 7th, 9th and 12th Romford. The Group closed in 1938/39 and the title was reallocated in 1952 to the newly-independent “B” Troop of the 10th Romford at St. Augustines Church, Rush Green. The 11th Romford amalgamated with the 1st Romford in 2016.
14th Romford
Founded in 1934, meeting at St. Edwards School, Market Place. The 14th Romford amalgamated with 1st Romford 1945.