Who we are
Formed in 1916 the then All Saints’ Boy Scouts came into being in the middle of the first world war and were straight into action. An article from the Parish Magazine in 1917 noted that ‘They have been helping their church and country by taking out Confirmation and Silver Thimble War Fund notices and by collecting bottles for the War Hospital Depot; they have been rather handicapped in this in having no trek cart, but have done their best with a small hand barrow’.
The 4th Putney expanded between the wars with a Wolf Pack, now Cubs, established in 1922 and a Rover Group, now Explorers, for older boys. There was also a band. On parish outings to Bognor Regis the band marched from one pier to the other at mealtimes to call everyone from the beach. In the 1930s 4th Putney assisted in the ‘Putney Weeks’ held on the Lower Common in aid of hospitals.
Mrs Dulcibella Drummond, Scoutmaster from 1916 until 1938 was instrumental in this success. Dulcie lived up to her formidable name and was described as ‘made of the same stuff as the Florence Nightingales of this world’. She was one of the district visitors of the parish responsible for Floss Street and part of Sefton Street. A plaque commemorating Mrs Drummond was placed behind the lectern in All Saints Church in 1966. Cubs still wear the moniker ‘Drummond Cubs.
With the outbreak of the second world war many boys were evacuated while the leaders served in the forces. Ben Carruthers, an Air Raid Warden, looked after the boys who remained organising them into an air raid messenger service.
Since its inception up until today the Troop’s HQ has been the ‘Old Manual Room’. The building had been part of the original All Saints School and had been used as a library. During the early years of the war the building suffered bomb damage, the school received compensation and the hut was ‘given’ to the scouts. When in 1943 the Troop was reformed as boys began to drift back as the threat of bombing subsided Ben took over the leadership, a role he held for 30 years, and took on repairing the hut.
The group suffered a second hit during the war when the Rover Den on Putney Common together with the Band’s instruments were destroyed by a V1 bomb which landed on Putney Hospital.
The post war years saw the group actively involved in the community and with some profitable side-lines. For many years up until 1991 the Troop had the car parking ‘franchise’ for the Putney Weekends.
The scout hut over these years wouldn’t have met current health and safety standards; not least the open coal fire. In 1999 the hut was refurbished with the addition of central heating, toilets and the renovation of the roof.
By 1990 the Group was the largest in Wandsworth with 140 boys – girls weren’t admitted until 1991. Operating five nights a week with two scout troops, three cub packs, beavers and venture scouts. The Group had outgrown the ‘hut’ as a meeting venue and relocated to a hall opposite St Mary’s School in Felsham Road. In 2004 the hall was sold to pay for the renovations to St Mary’s Church forcing Beavers and Cubs to relocate to All Saints School and Scouts to St Margaret’s Church. While the group maintained ~ 100 members, operating across two venues wasn’t perfect.
Over the years the Group had acquired equipment and the ‘hut’ had become a storeroom. In 2010 further renovation of the ‘hut’ provided a mezzanine floor for storage and a new kitchen. In 2015 the roof was replaced. These works came just in time.
2015 saw the Group losing all its leaders and it appeared it wouldn’t see 2016. Fortunately, we had a place from which to regroup. With the help of leadership support from the Wandsworth District Scout Assn the Group is now looking for its own leaders and has 30 children across Beavers and Cubs and active parents. In 2020 the Group intends to restart Scouts. Anyone interested in being involved as a helper, leader or would like their child to attend please contact us.
Were you a member of the 4th Putney? If so 4th Putney will be delighted to hear from you.
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4thputney.org
