11th Dagenham Reunion - September 2008
11th Dagenham Senior Scout Reunion at the Moby Dick on 30th September 2008
A memorable evening was spent on the 30th September when 8 former members of the llth Dagenham Senior Scout Troop with a couple of Scouting comrades, accompanied by their wives gathered together to honour their former Senior Scoutmaster, George Quin who was presented with a set of Drafting Pencils and a Fountain Pen. Three further days of nostalgia followed when several of the party went to down Tiverton, where George now lives and burnt the midnight oil reminiscing.
George produced a souvenir booklet detailing the events of 'Operation Overidge' when in 1949, he and four of the Scouts did a trek in the Lake District where they explored the area and walked along Striding Ridge. Enclosed were details of each section of the trip with the meticulous planning and allocation of duties and of course photographs. It is a pity Digital cameras were not available then, only less vivid black and white photos.
During the speeches it was made plain that the very successful Troop owed much to their training and guidance by George for their success in later life and all owed a great debt to him. Although at the time they had no knowledge of the trials and tribulations he was encountering in his life getting settled into a career subsequent to his demobilisation as a Marine Commando during the Second World War. (His detailed draft of the day-to-day events during this time makes enthralling reading - a significant historical document.)
It was perhaps his experiences during the conflict which enabled George to use his common sense in becoming a very successful Scout Leader. The 'Gang' were encouraged to use their initiative in surviving the various 'tasks' set by him all of which to this day are etched in their memories. As both he and the Scouts were brought up in Dagenham and had few luxuries which today are taken for granted, he used his ingenuity to build a 'Den' in his parents' garden from an old Anderson Shelter and wood obtained second hand. It was to this haven that the 'Gang' would go to discuss and plan their next adventure, provided with refreshments by his mother!
He was with the Troop from 1946 until 1951 when he left having been appointed by Scouting HQ as Bailiff of the Broadstone Warren Scout Camp, East Grinstead, Sussex where he was provided with a cottage where he began his married life and where his children were born. Most of the Scouts then entered National Service in all the three sections of the Services whilst one of them being deemed unsuitable on account of his eyesight joined the Home Guard.
All of the Scouts had successful careers both here and one in New Zealand, and without exception they felt that George had contributed a great deal to this. They had left school at fourteen and he gave them the confidence that they could achieve anything as long as they 'gave it a go'! A resourceful, gentle gentleman, a veritable Scouting Mr Chips!
Left to right standing - Jim Savill, Brian Lynskey, Joyce Scott, Bill Radley, Chas.Francis, Harry Reed, Shirley Reed, Heather Rowles, Fay Savill.
Left to right seated - Ernie Scott, George Quin, Dave Rowles, Sheila Lynskey, Enid Pennington, and John Pennington.
Report by: Sheila Lynskey