 Messages from former Scouts
There are former South African Scouts all over the country
and also in most parts of the world, and this page is aimed
at keeping them in touch via email. Maybe you'd like to leave
your message here, or perhaps get in touch with one of the
people below...
You can add your name and message
to this list.
As you will know the 8th (St Albans) Pretoria will cerebrate in 100 years of Scouting on 6th March this year.
Through this forum I would like any old cub, scout or scouter to contact me to join us over the weekend of 2nd,
3rd & 4th March to celebrate this occasion. Details from 072 885 0929 or email Derek.
Derek Howes <dfhowes at iburst.co.za>
30 January 2012
My name is Blake Barnwell. I started my scouting experience as a cub with Pack 283 in Morris, Alabama, USA in 1997. For a brief time I wrote some cubs in South Africa. I am trying to look for people that are from that group and possibly re-connect.
The group was the 1st Blyvooruitsig Cub Group (other spelling exists), of the Far West Rand District, Gauteng. It was headed up by the Akela, Elizabeth Graham (Liz Graham). I am not for sure if she still resides in that town as for her husband was a doctor, and they have probably since then moved. I would like to try and find out any information about scouts that were in that group as well as Liz.
If there is any information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also if there is any thing that you could tell me about the Blyvoor Cub Group or you know of any people that might give me some leads, please let me know.
Blake Barnwell <kuduman at live.com>
6 July 2011
My name is John Calmeyer. I started my scouting as a cub with
6th YMCA in Johannesburg in 1950. I then went up to Scouts –
1st Hill in Johannesburg’s Southern Suburbs in 1954. The family
moved to Florida in 1957 and I transferred to 1st Maraisburg and
in 1959 to 1st Florida.
After matriculating in 1960, I joined the army in Pretoria and
became an ASM in 22nd Pretoria (YMCA) Sea Scouts. In 1963 I was
transferred to Cape Town and joined 3rd Claremont (SACS) as an ASM,
eventually becoming the SM.
As things would be, the army dictated where I should be posted
and Scouting had to fit in. In 1968 I found myself posted to Potchefstroom
and of course, I signed on with the 1st Potchefstroom troop. However,
after a few years, off I was again and this time to Pretoria. At
this point Scouting had to take back a backseat for a couple of
years as I was seconded to the then, Rhodesian Army as an advisor
on Electronic Warfare. I had by this time reached the illustrious
rank of Captain the army.
Back home in 1975 I was invited to join the 8th Pretoria (St
Albans) Troop and continued until my retirement as an active Scouter
in 1990. During the period with St Albans I was also the DC of the
Northern Transvaal Area’s North-Central District and eventually
Assistant Area Commissioner for Scout Training and leader of the
Weston Patrol Leader’s Training Unit.
I have many memories of those 40 years in the movement. The
first is organising and staging the Mafeking Centenary Jamboree
and the second is being appointed to lead the South African contingent
to the World Jamboree in Australia. Imagine the disappointment when
a communiqué was received from the Australian government
stating that “if Colonel Calmeyer was part of the contingent
then they would not be granted visas”. South Africa was at
that stage, not the flavour of the month. While SAHQ were prepared
to withdraw the contingent, I could not let this happen and instead
I withdrew. My colleague, Lynton Delaney, the Area Commissioner
for Northern Transvaal, lead the contingent and did a magnificent
job.
In 1990 I decided to retire from active Scouting – it is
a young person’s movement. However, in 2003 my wife and I found
ourselves living in Kenya and during this period we were privileged
to visit the graves of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell at Nyeri on a
few occasions and also the visit his old home Paxtu next to the
Outspan Hotel. It is a wonderful museum on Scouting and B-P’s
life.
I have had a great time in the movement and besides the usual
long-service medals, I was also presented with the Medal of Merit,
The Order of Silver Protea and the bar to The Order of the Silver
Protea.
John Calmeyer <John.Calmeyer at telkomsa.net>
22 May 2011
I was a scout from 1949 to 1955 with the 1st Wychwood Scout
Group in Germiston and now live in Hilton, Kwazulu Natal.
1st Wychwood Scout Group was started simply because there were
a bunch of boys living in Wychwood with nothing much to do. The
first scoutmaster was Skipper Bartrim, who was a pilot during WW2.
The assistant scoutmaster was Don Brenchley, who was in the tank
corps in WW2,
The group originally consisted of around 12 boys and was held
in a garage on the corner of Graham and Senator Roads, where they
met every Friday evening from 7.30 pm to around 10.00 pm. The property
belonged to the Eve family. The next meeting place was a hut built
out of gum poles, which the whole scout group helped to build -
on the same site as the present scout hall. Back then, it was just
an open field with trees, and houses on the northern side of Ixia
Road - and Simmer and Jack mine personnel housing, which you couldn't
really see from the hut.
In 1949, 1st Wychwood went on a jamborally to Messina (now Musina).
In 1950 1st Wychwood camped out at Jan Smuts' farm (Doornkloof)
in Irene, outside Pretoria. Mr. Smuts and his wife came over to
meet the scoutmaster.
Butch Stoltz <dreamfactory at telkomsa.net>
31 March 2011
I was a Cub "Master" at 68th Durband and then 72nd
Durban way back in 1962!! Moved to Bulawayo and did cubs at 3rd
Bulawayo Air Cubs. Then to 1st Newcastle in Natal and left to move
to Australia late 1979. Both my husband and I have been involved
in Scouting here in Sydney and now in a town north of Brisbane.
And we are still in scouting. It is a great movement. Have a wonderful
100 years.
Joy Coulson <jcoulso8 at bigpond.net.au>
8 June 2010
4th Durban (St.Thomas) Scout Group would like
any past Scouters and Scouts to contact us - We would like any information
you have for a book that will be putting together to celebrate the
Groups centenary
Quick update of our Group as at March 2010
We have a very new Rover Crew, 41 Scouts and 40 Cubs
looking forward to hearing from you.
Judy Elderton <elderton at saol.com>
31 March 2010
My name is Tertius Slothouber (Turtle) I was with 1st Constantia
scout group from 1974 till 1985. After my scouting days I stayed
on and became assistant scout master till I left RSA and moved back
to Australia where I was born. My scouting days were the best days
of my life with so many fond memories. Hiking in the Cedar berg
mountains especially. I remember Peter Meyer being my troop leader
Chris Van Breda and few others. I hope Scouting in South Africa
is still as much fun as we had.
Tertius Slothouber <abisko2 at iinet.net.au>
7 November 2009
I was a member of the 1st Worcester cub pack from 1961 to 1963
and the 1st Worcester Scout Troop from 1963 to 1966. Attended the
5 year S A Republic Jamboree in Pretoria in 1966. Due to a family
relocation, transferred to 2nd Bellville in 1967 and in 1968 was
a founding member of 1st Kuils River, becoming Troop Leader the
following year. Became the Assistant Scoutmaster there in 1970 until
military training took me away for a year. On returning in 1972
I took over as Scoutmaster and completed my Wood Badge. Due to other
commitments, I resigned in 1974 and remained involved as an examiner
until 1976. Good days those, and I remember participating in the
Gordons Shield and Rayner Trophy on a number of occasions.
Cliff Hocking <cliff.hocking at echsa.co.za>
16 August 2009
My name is wilhelm rigaardt. I was with the 1st walvis bay sea
scouts 1959-1961. I obtained my springbok badge then and my buddy
[now deceased] frikkie dobson was a queen scout-one of the last
in sa then. I went on to become an officer in the sadf armoured
corps and fought in swa and angola. now retired and reciding in
virginia in the goudveld. may god bless you all.
Wilhelm Rigaardt <wcarig at telkomsa.net>
16 February 2009
I have 47 years with scouting and am always interested with
what is happening, I have run a troop for many years, a rover group
and been a DC in the Western Transvaal for many years. Went to the
Jamboree in 1957 at Sutton Colfields in England. I hold 2 Woodbages
one for scouts and the second for DC, have been to 4 Jamborallies
in South Africa and was involved with organizing one in Orkney in
the Transvaal. The nearest scout group to where we stay (Gansbaai)
is over 40 Kilometers away did try to start a group here going for
about 3 years but through lack of interest it faded. There is no
high school here and most of the children go to boarding school.
Have now retired and have started a small B & B (www.ama-krokka.co.za)
to keep busy, activities around here are diving for the white shark
and whale watching.
Lionel Paeper <info at ama-krokka.co.za>
12 February 2009
|
