Our History

Scouting in Crowthorne began in 1909 in the grounds of Barracane House in Waterloo Road (now Barracane Drive). This was the home of the first Scoutmaster, Captain Henry Cautley.

In 1928 Wolf Cubs came to Crowthorne. After changing administrative areas within Scouting (twice), the St. Sebastian’s Pack was renamed the 1st Crowthorne Wolf Cub Pack. The previous arrangement of recording Wolf Cub Packs and Boy Scout Troops separately ceased, and 1st Crowthorne Scout Group came into being.

1931 was an important year for 1st Crowthorne, with the building of a new Headquarters. This was a 40 feet x 20 feet wooden hut on a loaned site adjoining the grounds of Wellington College.

During 1942 the Scout Troop, but not the Cub Pack, lapsed with the surviving members meeting with a Troop from St Paul’s School who had been meeting in Crowthorne during the evacuation of London.

The Troop was re-established on 20th February 1947, meeting in Crowthorne School, before moving back into the Scout hut in October.

Towards the end of 1983 the Group moved into the current Headquarters, as the old hut in Wellington College had been lost in a fire, and the land was due to be sold. The Headquarters was officially opened in 1984. The lease was renewed (eventually) in 2003 for another 20 years.

The information concerning the Group’s history up until 1947 was taken from a summary of the history of 1st Crowthorne by Howard de Silva, who later hopes to write a book about the Group. Please ask if you would like to see a copy of the summary, which includes details of past leaders, camps, and activities.

HM King Charles III has been confirmed as our new Patron, a great honour for UK Scouts.

The King continues a long tradition of the monarch giving their Patronage, dating back to 1912. This was when Scouts was granted its Royal Charter and HM George V became our first Patron.

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King Charles III

Our Patron, HM King Charles III