Early District History

In 1908 a few boys from Albert Road Schools managed to get hold of a set of the first copies of ‘Scouting For Boys’ and formed a Patrol of 4 Scouts, called the ‘Cuckoos’. Sidney Rowntree of Elton Parade formed the ‘Wolves’ at the same time. These joined forces and formed the 1st Troop.

They made tents of old sacks etc., and held their first camp at Ketton Hall Park. Shortly after this the 2nd Troop was formed by S.M. Dodds and J. Davison, called 'The Golden Eagles,' and both Troops passed their Tenderfoot Test soon after. Then came the visit of Mr Carleton Stiff, Commissioner for the Northern Area, who gave a lecture on the aims and objects of the Boy Scout Movement.

Patrols and Troops continued to spring up. C.J. Barthorpe’s Troop had a band and trek cart; the 3rd YMCA was formed under Mr Alwick; Miss Wrightson of Neasham had a very successful Troop; Mr Aldous of ‘The Comet’ at Croft gave valuable lessons in axemanship. Middleton-St-George started in 1909 under Mr Reeves and Mr Thirkell.

In 1910 it was decided that some sort of co-ordination of Scouting throughout the town was required and a committee was formed to carry out this function. The first warrant recognising Scouting in Darlington was issued on 8th June 1910.

At a meeting on 24th August 1912 it was resolved that a Darlington & District Boy Scouts Association be formed, under the chairmanship of Col. the Hon. W.L. Vane.

The next one to trace is the 5th, started early in 1913, with Smythe and Barthorpe. It met nearly every night in the large loft over Emmerson Smith's workshops (now about the centre of Binns store), and it was an active crowd who revelled in boxing, sing song, etc. Colonel Vane visited them and gave them an encouraging address.

The development of the District was effected by the First World War, but things continued with very few officers until the end of 1915. At this time a meeting was held at the house of Sir J Harbottle in Trinity Road to try and deal with the problem caused by the Commissioner, District Scout Master, and Secretary having all been called up. This meeting resulted in getting Mr Trevor Morris interested in Scouting, and on 20th January 1916 he was welcomed at the SMs meeting as Assistant Commissioner.

In September 1916 a rally was held at Feethams with the Chief Scout Sir Robert Baden Powell attending. It was a great success, with nearly 1000 Scouts and Cubs from Darlington and surrounding Districts parading. The Chief Scout was very interested in the various Scouting activities demonstrated.

In 1917 Mr R Luck took over as Association Secretary.

In the early 1920’s there was a slight re-organisation within the District. Sir Henry Havelock-Allen was appointed as District Commissioner for the country areas, and Mr Trevor Morris District Commissioner for the town. Mr Luck was appointed as Assistant Commissioner.

As far back as 1913 it was felt that somehing should be done for the lads of 10 years old who were keen to join, and a section of 20 was formed at Grange Road Baptist Church and called Junior Scouts, under Northfield and Stokes. Headquarters later announced that Junior Scouts should be called Wolf Cubs, with an age range of 8 - 12.

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