Rover Bulletin No. 56

NUMBER FIFTY SIX 30th April 1946.

Dear Rovers,

We should like to record that with the return of the extra hour (Summer-time) there is now great activity both inside “Loves Abode” and in the Garden.

Ask Joey Stewart home on leave from Italy and Stanley Christie up on a short vacation (swank) from the “Sunny South”. From the moment of their arrival it was a case of jackets off and sleeves up, to weed the Garden etc. We are sure they haven’t worked so hard since they joined the forces. They were so helpful that we are looking forward to their speedy return to “Civvy Street” so that they can be enrolled in the “Institute of -not-so-free Gardeners”. The more the merrier so all speed to your demob groups Lads.

Regarding the outline of the New Rover Plan there is nothing fresh to report in the meantime from H.Q., but there is a meeting Rover Leaders to discuss this in a few days time so we will be able to let you know the result in the next “Bulletin”.

From the Fourth’s point of view we can report a good attendance every Friday with the same old enthusiasm. The A.C.C. for Rovers has asked us to look after the assembling of the districts for the County Church Parade for Scouts and Rovers, so we are in demand already.

We had e pleasant surprise last Friday, When Victor Stott popped-in to say “hello” after being overseas for nine years, Despite his four year captivity in Japanese hands he is still as fit and cheery as ever and instead of speaking about himself, it was all about the marvellous lads he met who could make all sorts of wonderful gadgets out of Bully-beef tins and meals out of scraps. Judging by Victor’s appearance we could do with a similar diet. He could only spare us half-an-hour as he was hurrying round all hie friends in Auld Reekie before leaving for a post in New Zealand as representative for his old firm Burroughs, Wellcome & Co. Best of Luck, Victor, let’s hear from you soon.

Well, well, in the words of the poet “You can’t eat your cake when you haven’t got any” or words to that effect. Similarly, if we had letters from all you blokes overseas we could compose a complete bulletin from your efforts. However, like little Jack Horner we’ll get into a huddle and extract all we can from those few literary-pies which we nave been very glad to receive this month.

Speaking of food, and who doesn’t these days? it seems that you Lads haven’t lost the 4th. facility for putting your thumbs in the proper place, for instance, Bruce Baille has been and gone and got himself a job as Sgt’s mess Caterer end Barman.

Bill Lahaffy is now settling down in a land flowing with Milk and honey, nearly. In Port Harcourt, So, Nigeria, well known to Ian Furnival, he is settling down in his own house which is complete with all modern conveniences including native-cook, servant, and gardener to attend to the large garden, Very nice, too. GOOD LUCK, Bill, we know you will steer clear of the mosquitos and that your spells of hiking in the bush, as compered with your normal labours of six hours a day plus Golf and tennis, will benefit from your Scout-training, even if you couldn’t possibly insult your cook by trying a “Golden-fall” pudding on your own. Which do you prefer, ground-nut stew or palm-oil?

Reverting to Bruce Baille who has gone all mathematical in his interest for the family-life cf the Crew. in producing a marvellous graph, which you may see for yourselves. His main work at the moment is assembling and dismantling Baillie bridges, for the enlightenment of those less versed in such procedure, poor sods. But much parental interests as he is also displaying at the moment, seem to suggest a longing which he may be able to satisfy for himself in the not too distant future, we hope.

Another coincidental meeting to report, Ian Moffat, in a very chatty and informative letter regarding his present station, Doolali, India, tell us that he had the good fortune to be hailed by one of three officers, who proved to be none other than Chorty. A grand evening followed which proves once again the ubiquitous presence of the 4th Leith spirit. Nice work. Chorty, hope we see you very soon, now that your demob is on the way.

LEAGUE OF BIRTHS.

TEN GIRLS… NINE BOYS…. GRAND TOTAL NINETEEN.

We would like to know all the names and dates of birth. .We have got a few already but need particulars from, R. Nisbet. J. Suttie, T. Bogie, A. Hepburn. E. Gamely and G. Kay. Will you please send them in, you fellas? Thank you.

Eck Wilson, paid us visit and hie wife and he are well.

Eddie Gamely, has been transferred to Aberdeen where he has taken up an appointment with the Bank (North of Scotland) as Assistant Inspector. He hopes to hop in to see us soon.