Rover Bulletin No. 58

NUMBER FIFTY EIGHT. 28th June, 1946.

Dear Lads,

To continue from Last month’s Bulletin. This month has been a particularly successful one in the sporting line. First of all the Troop have won the Tug-of-War and Relay Shields and they finished third in the District Competition. Great stuff!

The County Sports were carried through at Daniel Stewart’s playing field and we take pleasure in reporting that Leith District won the B.P. Memorial Trophy gaining 40 points, Holyrood District was second with 22 points and Haymarket District was third with 15 points.

The Rover Tug-of-War was won by the Leith Rovers who beat Morningside in the final pull. The crew represented Leith to a man and to show the spirit of our lads, we would like to mention the enthusiasm of Alec (Wilson) who came from Perth specially to pull his weight, and our Eck can still pull.

Stanley (Christie) was up on a short furlough and he has given us a donation to the Bulletin Fund and we thank him on your behalf. We had a visit from Tommy (Thomson) and his fiancée, Tommy is hoping to obtain a permanent commission with the R.A.F, and we wish him every success.

Talking of success reminds us to congratulate Sandy (Miller) on his being appointed Works’ Manager of Fisons Ltd. Broxburn as from the 1st October this year. Good luck, Sandy!

On Friday the 21st, four Rover Squires, Murray Cullen, Gibson Mahaffy, George Walker and Jimmy Balccaras were invested by the G.S.M. who said – “This is a sacred act not lightly undertaken but deliberately done in the presence of God and of each other. Once a Scout always a Scout, and if in the days to come vast distances may come to separate us, one thing will still unite us as long as life lasts, and that is the Rover way of life”

We had a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Hildering (Tom Bogie’s sister Neta), and their short stay, while a very pleasant one, was most interesting. To hear of the spirit of Scouting being carried on while under the Nazi rule was something to be proud of. Mr. Hildering is a Group Scout Master in Amsterdam, and to quote Jim (our Rover Mate) if ever a family showed the spirit of the Scout Law, they certainly deserve full marks. We extend to them our very best wishes for the future.

We can now confirm the appointment of the Rev. Frank Findlay to be minister of St. Serfs and he is to be inducted the very same day of the Bulletin going to press the 28th June.

At the moment the next item on the agenda is the Scottish Rover Moot which is to be held in Bonaly on the 17th/18th August and in connection with this the Crew have been asked to look after the catering side. The object of this Moot is to discuss and revive the spirit of Rovering after the dark years of war. If any of you lads are home on the 13th/14th July we are assisting in preparing the site at Bonaly and shall be glad of your help. All cordially invited (Do not bring your gym shoes!)

Dick (Spaven) we are sorry to learn is back in bed with his dear “Ursula” the Ulcer, and has been forced to consume with growing distaste steamed fish and milk pudding. We all join in wishing him a speedy recovery. The way in which you reply to the Bulletin does not give Ursula a dog’s life. Dick has been advised to give up travelling and he is hoping to get his old job back in Auld Reekie. We hope to meet him any Friday now, and in anticipation have taken the liberty of putting his name on the cottage cleaning list.

Ian (Moffat) arrived home from Bombay on his 28 days leave. He has been as far East as Rangoon and was to have taken part in the Malayan invasion. The Japanese probably heard that the whole of Ian’s 6’3″ was after them so they capitulated. By the way, so pleased was he to be back home that he voluntarily washed up all the dishes last Friday. He was also a member of the victorious Tug-of-War team at Inverleith.

Bruce (Baillie) does not comment favourably on the Government’s new conscription scheme. He will now be demobbed around July 1948 according to his local paper. If that is correct he says that “Cymbalist” here I come! He is still in Malaya. His latest form of recreation is crocodile hunting in an assault boat. We are reminded that Jonah got out of the whale’s belly and so why should not the Baillie boy get out of the crocodile’s.

Joey (Stewart) writes from an R.A.F. Station Campo Formido, C.M.F. He and his friend have decided to purchase a couple of bicycles and go off for week-end spins. Funds are his trouble at the moment. On a Flight/Sergeant’s pay Joey?

Alasdair (McKellar) is now aboard the “Maine”. The Maine is the hospital ship of the Mediterranean fleet and has been lying in Malta continuously for over a year. Aly does all the surgery on board although he says the work is not particularly plentiful. Butchers have not much meat here either at present Aly! Alasdair’s ship is lying in Lazaretto Creek, 10 minutes by bus from Valetta.

We have not heard from Jack (Piper) for a while and hope all is well with him.

In conclusion we wish to thank Eddie (Gamley) and Andrew (Hepburn) for kindly donating their kilts for the benefit of some of our younger members who are having difficulty in getting their uniform complete.

That’s all for the present lads, so SO LONG AND GOOD LUCK.