Super scout Billy Martin
Former Boy Scouts from Drogheda, Belfast and Dublin came to the Boyneside on Wednesday night of last week to honour Mr. Billy Martin of the 3rd Louth Troop who is retiring from the organisation after more than 30 years’ service.
The function, which was organised by the committee in Drogheda, was attended by a large gathering of past and present scouts of the Drogheda Troop who had served under this amiable scoutmaster during their boyhood years. The farewell dinner in Stameen House Hotel was attended by Fr. Jimmy Clyne (formerly of Trinity St.) who was recently ordained for the Diocese of Armagh, and Fr. Jimmy McQuillan (son of Mr. and Mrs Andy McQuillan, West St.) who is with the Vincentlan Order in Sheffield in England.
Among those who paid tributes to Billy were Mr. Desmond Gogarty, Chairman of the Troop, Mr. Brendan O’Gorman, Mr. Larry Gogarty, Mr. Vln Roche, Mr. Liam Leonard, Mr. Dick Murphy and Mr. Johnny Coyle. Mr. Roche told the gathering of the troops’ first meeting in June of 1935 when Fr. Bennett was chaplain, and a special letter congratulating Billy on his retirement was received from Canon Rice, and read at the function.
Rev. Arthur McAnerney, chaplain paid tribute to the retiring scoutmaster and presented him with an inscribed scroll and a wallet of notes.
Mr. Martin had been scoutmaster of the troop since its foundation ever 30 years ago, and while he will now reside in Dublin, he has not been lost entirely to the troop. This year, the committee elected him President.
The new scoutmaster is 23-yearold Austin Marley of Moran Tee., Drogheda,