1st Boscombe Down Scout Group

The following is a brief history of Scouting at Boscombe Down and draws heavily upon research and material compiled by Mr Don Evans (the District President).

Scouting started at Boscombe Down towards the end of the second world war with the formation of a Service Rover Crew and records show that by 1948 there were eleven members in the Crew.  In 1949 the local padre formed the first Scout Troop with the help of the Rover Crew and the 1st Boscombe Down (Holy Angels) Scout group were registered.

The connection with the Royal Air Force started in 1951 when the troop had a new leader in the guise of Flight Lieutenant Weatherfield.  The following year saw Flight Sergeant "Dan" Archer take control of the troop and then two years later saw Don Evans take over as Scoutmaster. The following year in 1953 Don took the Troop through all the requirements to be awarded RAF recognition .

The 1958 census shows that the Group consisted of 27 Wolf Cubs, 32 Scouts and 6 Senior Scouts.  The leadership team consisted of Ron Day as Group Scout Leader, Martin Bronsden was Scoutmaster and Don had taken on responsibility for the Senior Scouts. During the 1960's the movement went through one of its most radical changes.  This meant that the Senior Scout section had to convert and became the nucleus of the new Druids Venture Scout Unit.  With this transition it became time that Don left to become Assistant District Commissioner for Venture Scouts.