Memorable scouting trip

PRIOR to the St George’s Day 1964 Queen Scout Parade at Windsor Castle, I was selected by Carmarthenshire County Scout Council to be leader of the Welsh Section despite a) I had only just achieved my majority and become eligible to become a Warranted Scouter b) there were far more deserving candidates, such as my Scoutmaster with 2nd Ammanford Troop, Alf Harlow, and c) I had never completed my Queen Scout Award.

On the Saturday before the parade I met up with the West Wales contingent at Swansea High Street station to catch a train to London. We were met by a Scouter from one of the London troops and taken to their headquarters, where we were to sleep overnight. On the Sunday morning we were bussed

to Windsor, where we met up with the contingents from the rest of Wales.

While the boys went off to explore, we section leaders were given our instructions of what to do.

Looking at the other section leaders who were a lot older than me made me feel as if I was an interloper. At the appointed hour we lined up to march past Prince Philip. My job at the head of the column was to bellow “eyes right” as we approached, to salute him as we passed and bellow “eyes front” once the last rank had passed him.

Having marched to the chapel, we had the service and once it was all over, we were bussed back to Paddington and returned to our homes. It was a very enjoyable experience which I feel privileged to have had and still remember 57 years down my Scouting career.

Beaver Scout Leader 2nd St Clears Beaver Colony, Carmarthenshire