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Chapter 1 - Now as I start upon my chosen way
Chapter 1 - Now as I start upon my chosen way
Yarn No. 01: It all started with a Straits Times notice in 1908
On the 15th of August 1908, a year after Scout Founder Baden-Powell ran his experimental Scout camp at Brownsea Island, a small notice appeared on page 7 of the Straits Times of Singapore. The notice was inserted by K.H. Mauleffinch, who anticipated that he would have seven patrols of seven boys each. There was no information on how successful Mauleffinch was in recruiting his troop in 1908, but by February 1909, it was reported that there were some 30 Singapore Scouts camping at Telok Kurau. And then, the Movement started in Singapore.
Yarn No. 02: The birth of the 10th Troop of Singapore, 1924
July 1924, St. Andrew's School joined the World Brotherhood of Scouts, when under the name of the 10th Group, a troop was formed. The first Scout Master of the Group was Mr. Herslet and with the help of Messrs. Tupholms and Thomas, his assistants, a strong foundation was laid for scouting in St. Andrew's. Since then, the Group has had a long and interesting life, perhaps even romantic.
Chapter 2 - Help me to keep my Honour shining bright
Chapter 2 - Help me to keep my Honour shining bright
Yarn No. 03: Through the years, 1924 - 1934
The Scouts in the School were progressing satisfactorily and there were more applications to enter than they could really deal with. Efforts were then being made to ensure that the Troop could be self-supporting. This was carried out by means of weekly subscriptions and the scheme proved to be useful.
By 1932, the Troop had undergone several innovations since the last School Magazine report. Membership was increased to 44 and it became the largest troop in the whole settlement of Singapore.
in 1933, the Wolf Cub Pack was 30 strong and was honoured to have been visited by the Chief Scout of Singapore.
Yarn No. 04: Through the years, 1935 - 1944
During these years, scouting activities in St. Andrew's were only interrupted by the dawning of the 2nd World War. The size of the Troop varied from about 60 to 100.
Just before the advent of the war, many activities were organisd of which camping was the foremost. The grandest was the Scout camp held at Woodsville in 1940. In these years, the Scouts received lessons on Morse Code and were also trained to use lights to transmit signals. They were also intensively trained on first aid, ambulance and emergency works, living up to the Scout Motto, "Be Prepared".
Meetings were regular and carried out on Saturdays. During these gatherings, chalk rugger, scout polo and other orientated scout games were played. Singing of campfire songs also became an integral part of the programmes on these regular meetings.
Yarn No. 05: Through the years, 1945 - 1954
After the four years of war, scouting was revived during the late 1945. The Group had grown to two junior and four senior troops with 200 scouts and scouters. The Wolf Cub Pack consisted of over 40 boys and the then recently formed Rover Crew was 24 strong. We were then a District on our own, having been promoted to this status on 1st April 1946.
Four National Service certificates were awarded to the Troop for work done during the war. Nearly all the old boys of St Andrew's School who served in the forces and Civil Defence Services were old scouts of the 10th Troop.
By 1947, our Scout Group was once again the largest in Singapore with 200 scouts on the roll. This huge membership continued for many years. To better manage the Group, we had the Wolf Cub Pack, Scout Troop, and Rover Crew, with four troops within the Scouts section alone. The four Scout Troops are Aquila Troop (Senior), Leo Troop, Orion Troop and Pegasus Troop. This administration remained until 1952.
In 1954, three Groups operates within the School - the 94th Group, made up of Orion Scout Troop and a Wolf Cub Pack, and the 10th/71st Group, which is made up of the Pegasus Troop, Aquila Troop and 10th Wolf Cub Pack.
Yarn No. 06: Through the years, 1955 - 1964
1955 was an interesting year for the School and the Scout Groups. Low-lying areas around the School were flooded, and since the School was built on a hill, it became a flood relief centre. Scouts were on hand throughout the ordeal, most of them slept in the School, always prepared for their call to duty.
The three Groups were very active during these years, participating in a myraid of activities, from 'night games' in Macritchie Reservoir to tiring but enjoyable hike spanning over 30 miles across Singapore, producing numerous Queen Scouts along the way.
In 1962, the 71st Leo Group and the 10th St. Andrew's Group amalgamated.
History wouldn't be complete without the special mention of the Sir Walter Raleigh Patrol. This patrol of the 10th Aquila Troop was formed in 1959. Since then, it has been a source of inspiration to many other Scouts. Amongst the many activities of this very active patrol was an exploration of Blakang Mati, the present Sentosa, Pulau Brani and its other neighbouring islands. The patrol alsp made a study tour of Terbrau and Kota Tinggi. They also constructed a 40-foot bridge that spanned the Kallang River. Members of this adventureous patrol also climbed Mount Ophir in Malacca. Sir Walter Raleigh Patrol truly lived up to the senior troop motto of 'Look Wide'.
Yarn No. 05: Through the years, 1965 - 1974
There were a number of reorganisations within the Groups in 1965. For one, the Group naming convention was reinvented. We now have 2501 Scout Group, 2502 Scout Group, 2501 Cub Pack and 2502 Cub Pack. 1965 also marked the year when the entire uniform of the cubs in Singapore was changed. With the groups fully organised, picnics, social gatherings and many outings were planned for the cubs.
In September 1965, the two St. Andrew's Scout Groups were united under the banner of 2501 STAR Group, operating with a membership of 150 cubs, scouts and seniors and a total of nine scouters running the Group.
1966 Group Photo
The Cub Scouts from St. Andrew's Junior 1 and 2 are collectively known as the 2501 Leo Pack in 1967. The Pack raised a new record high for the fund raising, incidentally the highest in Toa Payoh District.
1968 Group Photo
The senior Scout Troop was reorganised in 1968, forming the Venture Unit. Although hindered by small numbers, they surmounted obstacles and busied themselves throughout the year in preparation of scaling Mount Kinabalu the following year. In 1969, we became the first Scout Team to scale the mountain after a week-long climb.
Two years later in 1971, we again became the first Scout Group to reach the summit of Gunong Tahan, under the able leadership of the same Scouter who had led the team in 1969 - Mr Victor Wee. In the same year, the Lim Cheng Hai trophy for the highest Job Week per capita earnings and the Trophy for the Primary School Job Week was once again retained, as the Group emerged first in the Toa Payoh District.
The Scout Group saw her first monthly magazine in 1972, christened the 'Hunter' after the name of our Troop, Orion.
1973 saw an over-whelming response to join the Troop and the Venture Unit was also opened to the pre-university students who are new to Scouting. Membership increased to 198. In the same year, the 2501 STAR Group was privileged to be invited to tour the U.S.S. Enterprise, the world largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy and also in the world. The Enterprise crew also adopted our Troop and offered a Scholarship to the Group for promising Scouts.
The Group celebrated her 50th anniversary in 1974 with an elaborate Scout Day Ceremony, trip to Malacca, Gunong Tahan Expedition, Mount Kinabalu Expedition, a Grand Reunion Dinner and climaxed with our annual camp. On the same remarkable year, 3 Chief Scout's Recommendation Awards and 2 Long Services Awards were presented to the Scouters. Oh, our Scout Group humbly produced 10 President's Scouts in the same year too... just for record.
Chapter 3 - Open my eyes to see things as I should...
Chapter 3 - Open my eyes to see things as I should...
Yarn No. 08: Kangaroo, 1901 - 1976
Canon Reginald Keith Sorby-Adams (Scout name: Kangaroo) was an Anglican priest and long-time principal of St Andrew's School. More fondly known as RKS Adams to present day boys, Canon RKS Adams was born and raised in Adelaide, Australia. In 1927, Canon RKS Adams arrived in Singapore to teach at St Andrew's School. He took over the 10th Singapore Troop from Group Scoutmaster Dong Chui Sing in 1933.
An energetic priest, teacher and Scoutmaster, Canon RKS Adams introduced boxing to our school, a sport which remained a tradition of our school till this day.
At St Andrew's, many boys and Scouts remember Canon RKS Adams' kindness and generosity. Jacob Ballas, a poor Jewish boy, recalled how Canon RKS Adams dipped into his own pocket to pay for the former's scout uniform. Canon RKS Adams also paid for Ballas to attend the 1937 Tanjong Malim Jamboree. Ballas repaid the debt many times over when he prospered later in life. He established a huge trust fund to take care of Adams and his wife, Eunice, till their last days.
Singapore's first Chief Commission was from St Andrew's Scout Group!
Despite his busy schedule, Canon RKS Adams continued to take a personal interest in the progressive training of the St Andrew's Scouts. He would personally test the boys, sign their test cards and award the earned badges to deserving Scouts.
Canon RKS Adams' zest and dedication to service saw him taking on additional duties in the Scout Movement. He became Singapore's first Chief Commissioner and also started the 10th Rover Crew, an open crew attached to the St Andrew's School Troop on 2 February 1934.
This was Singapore's first Rover Scout Crew. Besides providing service to the local Scout Movement in the form of assistance at local badge training courses, these Rovers also set up a very successful Scouting weekly known as The Thumbstick.
Published between 1936 and 1938, The Thumbstick was published every Saturday as the official organ of the St Andrew's Scout Group. It was subscribed by many Scouts within Singapore and Malaya.
Yarn No. 09: Mt. Ophir Expedition, 1966
[Coming Soon]
Yarn No. 10: Gunong Tahan Expedition, 1971
[Coming Soon]
Chapter 4 - So as I journey on my chosen way...
Chapter 4 - So as I journey on my chosen way...
Yarn No. 11: Beyond the 21st century
1998 Group Photo
The St. Andrew's 'STAR' Scout Group in retrospect of her past illustrious years of worthy existence may be justified to feel genuinely proud of herself. In July 1924, the known as the 10th Troop of Singapore, she originated and pioneered the way for uniformed movements in the history of St. Andrew's School.
Her existence were marked by vicissitudes but she has surmounted all obstacles, and has today, established herself as one of the foremost scout groups in our country, credited with many laudable achievements. A reputation attained not through mere reveries but through the sheer dint of hard work on the part of past and present members of the Group.
As the Group continues to live on in an ever changing society, as the appearance of her members tranforms over time due to the changes in uniform, the retentive ideals and spirit of Scouting, founded by Lord Baden Powell, will always remain steadfast in the Group.
We have a proud tradition, a high standard to maintain and even higher goals to pursue. We cannot anticipate the future, thus we cannot prepare for it. We can only arm ourselves with a resilient mind and a courageous attitude to confront it. Yes, we can only 'Be Prepared'.
2006 Group Photo
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