As Webmaster for the 1st Dursley Scout Group I was pleasantly surprised to receive a communication from someone who was a Wolf Cub, Scout and Senior Scout at 3rd Dursley (St.James) from 1941 to 1949. I asked him whether he had any memories of his time in Dursley that he would be prepared to share and I have copied his reply below. I hope you enjoy reading it as I did. If you like it please feel free to leave a comment below. Mike.

Hi Mike

Thank you for your recent e-mail.

I'm afraid I don't have any photos of when I was with 3rd Dursley and my parents didn't keep my uniforms. (Unlike me - I have kept my Son's Cub,Scout and Venture shirts.)

I joined in February 1941 together with most of the choir from St.James's. We met in a building behind the church. I remember my first Leader was a Miss Pugh. Later we also had a Miss Tucker who, fortunately for us, had a sweet shop in Parsonage Street.

I suppose because it was war time we didn't have many camps. I do remember camping out on the lawns of a big house on the Uley Road on the left just past Mawdsleys works. The house was owned by a Major Parbury (I don't know if that is the correct spelling.) We also held get togethers at the Rectory which was at the top of Bull Pitch on the left. I remember we did a lot of exploring in the woods behind the 'bus station and on Stinchcombe Hill. The highlight in those days was being "issued" with one match to light a fire and cook half a sausage on a stick! Also what would now be classed as escape and evasion exercises hiding in the woods and under the leaves and making shelters and hopefully not being found be a Leader! We had a great time!

Our other main activities apart from games were First Aid and Aircraft recogition. We only ever saw one and I think it was on the way to or from Bristol when they bombed the city. We did hear the drone of their engines at night sometimes but not a lot. We were the lucky ones during the war.

The uniform in Cubs was a green jumper, cap and horrible rough blue shorts. We also had garter tabs. I was in the red six and in those days we all had the same type of woggle and the six was indicated by a red cloth triangle sewn onto the right arm. I cannot remember the colour of the neckerchief!  -  Well it was a long time ago.

In Scouts a lot of them were evaccuees from Moseley School of Art in Birmingham. We actually had two living with us. Sadly they are no longer with us. My Scoutmaster - they didn't call them Leaders in those days was Mr Barnett who was also a teacher at the Grammar School.

A Mr Griffiths taught us boxing and judo.

I was a Senior Scout for a short time (we wore a red beret) before I started work at Listers Auto Truck office and later at the Regal Cinema - I didn't go into Rovers as I went into the Royal Aid Force for five years instead of the National Service two years. I have tried to trace former members via the Dursley web site but without success re Scouting, I have traced two former School pals from the Grammar School but they weren't in Scouts and they now live abroad.

I am sorry I haven't been much help re photos etc.

I have now been an Adult Leader in Scouting in Birmingham and Solihull for over forty six years, during which time I have been an Assistant Scout Leader, Group Scout Leader, District Scout Leader, Assistant District Commissioner for Activities for nineteen years before I became District Commissioner.

I retired from that role in 2000 because of the then age restriction which they have now rescinded. My main roles now are County Advisor for First Aid and District Nights Away Advisor. I visit Beaver Colonies, Cub Packs and Scout Troops to introduce the Emergency Aid Stage Badges and I run the First Response Courses for Leaders, Helpers and Explorer Scouts.

I wish you and and your Group all the best - keep up the good work.

Yours in Scouting

Goff