The image below of the De Beers Sea Scout Group (circa 1962) from Kimberley was submitted to MyPE by Brett Harris. It is of interest to Port Elizabeth residents as many of the Sea Scouts depicted are now resident in or have ties to Port Elizabeth.
One of the Sea Scouts depicted in the image, Philip Stunden, was the only De Beers troop Sea Scout and one of 77 South African scouts chosen to attend the 1963 World Jamboree held in Marathon, Greece, Stunden beat two other finalists; Neil Cloete and Bobby Cheetham to be chosen to attend the Jamboree.
Philip Stunden was a 16 year old Matric pupil who seriously considered doing Matric again so that he could attend the World Jamboree from 1 to 11 August 1963. But, a bit of hard work ensured that Philip passed and went on to establish a thriving Orthopaedic Practice in Port Elizabeth.
The De Beers Sea Scout troop was established by the SA Navy League and De Beers Mines in 1960 under Scout Master, Keith Thomas. They were situated on Du Toit’s Pan with a fleet of rowing boats and sailing Dabchicks. One of the sea scouts duties was to do rescue for the De Beers Yacht Club. Apparently the naughtier Sea Scouts used to throw their pots and pans into the dam – only to be found out when the dam dried up.
Also in the image is local motoring scribe, Bobby Cheetham and Rear Admiral Arne Soderlund (Retired). Soderlund was instrumental in forming the SOS (Save Our Submarine) organisation to stop SAS Assegaai from becoming scrapped. Together with many serving and retired submarine crews and support personnel, they managed to scrape the funds together to refurbish both the interior and exterior of the submarine. SAS Assegaai (S99, formerly SAS Johanna van der Merwe), is the third of three Daphne Class submarines that were built in France for the SA Navy and commissioned in 1971.
Between Brett, Philip and I we have identified the Sea Scouts below – if you recognise anyone or can confirm that the image was taken at the Crompton Camp Ground please let us know in the comments section below:
1: Philip Stunden, 2: Bobby Cheetham, 3: Arne Soderlund, 4: ? Annandale, 5: Ashley Thomas, 6: Braam Minnaar, 7: Brett Harris, 8: Brian Hughes, 9: Charlie Ross.
Writing for Scouting.org.za, Chris Moyle reported on the Jamboree as follows:
1963 – 11th World Jamboree, Marathon, Greece
1 to 11 August / Participants 14 000 / Countries 86 / South Africans 77
1st Camps Bay had three representatives to this Jamboree namely Alex Morton, Les Geater and Chris Moyle. The following article was written by Chris Moyle for the November 1967 issue of ‘Glen Echo’.
“On the 29th July 1963, seventy-seven South African Boy Scouts arrived in Athens to attend the 11th World Scout Jamboree. The reception committee bid us a very warm welcome to Greece and escorted us via the famous twenty-six miles to the historical battleground of Marathon, where the Jamboree camp was held.
The South African contingent was divided into two Troops which proceeded to their respective campsites and with Scouts from 86 countries began to set up camp, which was spread over a large area of six square miles. It was divided into eleven sub-camps of thirty camp sites, each camp site having four Patrols of eight Scouts.
On the evening of August the 1st, 14 000 Boy Scouts gathered at the arena to hear Crown Prince Constantine, Chief Scout of Greece, declare the Jamboree open. The emblem of the camp was “Scout Higher and Wider”. Crown Prince Constantine therefore urged us to Scout for higher ideals and wider horizons, to live the ideals of the Scout Promise and Laws, to promote mutual friendship and to prove how the youth of every creed, class and colour can live together inspired by solemn desire.
Thus began our eleven day camp. Each of these days had a focus such as Air Scout Day, Sea Scout Day, Grand Parade on the occasion of the visit of H.M. the King of the Hellenes, who, incidentally, was the Patron of the Jamboree, classical games and getting acquainted. On the “getting acquainted” day each Scout was issued with a card, on the top of which was printed the number and colour of his sub-camp, down the side of the card the numbers of the other ten sub-camps were listed. The object of this wide game was to find ten Scouts, each being from a different sub-camp and nationality; you then presented yourselves at headquarters and the first ten groups to arrive received an award This activity was enjoyed by all and achieved its objective, in that it gave us a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with Scouts from different parts of the World.
The days were long, but never dull. We would rise at six and after breakfast each Troop assembled for flag break and prayers. The morning activity period was taken up with ‘field sports or “The Labours of Hercules” which was an obstacle course, or classical sports and a swim before lunch.
For every meal we would invite a Scout from a different nation to eat with us and often the compliment would be returned. The main attraction in the afternoon was the Talent-o-Rama, where Scouts of every nation would demonstrate national arts and crafts, folk dances, songs and customs which were characteristic of their country. In the evenings there were arena shows, film shows and camp fires. Our day ended at 11 pm and sleep came very easily.
On Sunday 11th August we once again filled the arena and witnessed a very impressive Closing Ceremony at which Lady Baden-Powell addressed us. The Jamboree song was sung for the last time and we left the arena feeling very sorry it was all over.
The fourth Scout Law states that a “Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout, no matter to what country or social class or creed the other belongs. Although I came away from the Jamboree impressed by many different aspects of the camp and its atmosphere, I was particularly conscious of the fact that this law was very much in evidence and I am sure it was the main contribution to the success of the 11th World Jamboree.”
Alan Straton
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Update on the De Beers Sea Scouts from Brett Harris:
From The Top: Phillip Stunden
Next Row: ?, Charles Ross, Brett Harris, ?, Arne Soderlund,
Next Row: Deren Thomas, Raymond Bush, Courtney Bush, Braam Deviliers Minaar, Ashley Thomas, ?
This was a group that went to Southern Rhodesia in 1964?
De Beers Sea Scouts … wow … the memories that pic evokes. The “? Annandale” is (John Jr) … now a Christian Religious Worker, son of the late John Snr (Scout nickname Kiwi) who for many years was the Scout Master of De Beers Sea Scouts. I’d love to connect with others in the pic. annanvalley@yahoo.co.uk
My Dad actually took this photograph at the Kimberley Railway station. In the front row from the left, Darryl Thomas, Raymond Bush and myself Courtenay Bush.