Scouts' St. George's Day parade (1918)

Post date: Apr 30, 2014 8:34:30 AM

Extract from South Eastern Gazette, 30th April 1918

ST. GEORGE'S DAY.

Tuesday was St. George’s Day and Shakespeare Day. Patriotic addresses were given to school children in many parts of the Empire, and in the schools of the United States the day was commemorated as the anniversary of the birth and death of Shakespeare. In many of the Churches of England special services of Intercession for the success of the Allies were held. Lord Milner, Secretary of State for War, was the chief speaker at the annual meeting of the Royal Society of St. George,held at the Mansion House.

On the evening of St. George’s Day, about 200 Boy Scouts and Wolf Cubs took part in a special service at All Saints’ Church, Maidstone. The Troops, representing All Saints’, Buckland, St. Philips, Holy Trinity and Knight Rider Street Baptist, Maidstone, Wateringbury and East Farleigh, assembled at the Sessions House, under the command of the Senior Scout Officer on parade, Mr. E. A. Smith, of Wateringbury, and led by the bugles of the 1st Wateringbury Troop they marched to the Church via Week Street, Bank Street, and Mill Street. The service was conducted by Scoutmaster Rev. B. Lamplugh of All Saints’ Troop. As part of the service the Scouts and Wolf Cubs renewed their respective Promises, which is customary on the day of St. George, their chosen Patron Saint.