Celebrating our past leaders

Article from Yoicks, with subsequent edits

Alfred James Martin, better known as ‘Chief’, was the founder and first Scoutmaster (and Group Scout Leader) of 2nd Edgware. The recurring adjective used to describe Martin by those who remember him is ‘wonderful’.

In 1929 Edgware was still a small country village with no uniformed organisations of any kind, only a bunch of lads forming the St. Margarets boys club. The rector, the Rev. H. A. H. Lea wanted a scout group, and by chance along came a stranger from Golders Green – Mr A. J. Martin, who was keen to start scouting in our area.

Martin was previously a member of the Naval Brigade and was sent to Belgium in 1914, where he spent most of his time as a prisoner of war. After the war he was a tailor and the Scoutmaster of the 5th Hendon. He had also been instrumental in bringing Scouting to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, in the form of the 1st Brockley Hill Troop, and was the Rover Leader there for some time. He had a short stay at 8th Hendon, who hand-picked members based on skill. This he did not like and his strong sense of fairness appealed to Lea.

The first meeting with ‘Chief’ was on the 2nd of October 1929, in Truth Hall. He had a dynamic personality, bubbling over with enthusiasm and always dressed immaculately in his uniform with shorts, scout hat and knobbly knees. In his quiet unassuming way he inspired the lads to form the 2nd Edgware Group. He told them scouting was a game, and a way of living and he guided them through the happiest days of their lives.

Chief would often sit round a camp fire and tell old stories and yarns, mostly first World War experiences. Chief was a devout Christian who led by example. The highlight of each month was the Church parade, eventually with the band. He was an unforgettable character who built a monument for future generations in the 2nd Edgware.

Chief (left) with Arthur Pitcher in 1949

Poem presented to Chief on his departure, 1950

Article from Yoicks, with subsequent edits

Arthur Pitcher enrolled with 2nd Edgware within two weeks of its formation in October 1929 and rose through the ranks. With the onset of war in 1939, and his disability disqualifying him from military service (although it did not stop him from applying), he found himself propelled into the position of Scoutmaster. With the Group Scoutmaster, ‘Chief’ Martin, unable to attend regularly, Arthur was GSM in all but name. During the war years, many Groups collapsed through lack of leaders and boys. Arthur’s efforts, and those of a small band of ever-changing and loyal assistants, ensured that, incredibly, the 2nd Edgware emerged from the war years stronger than the outset. In this respect, it is not an exaggeration to say that through his leadership the Group was saved from extinction.

Many of you reading this will not have known Arthur, but to those of us who did, Arthur was the Second Edgware… My earliest memories of him however were as a young scout on camp in the rain. I was cold and wet in the rain and miserable and he was walking around, wearing his army surplus cape and his old fashioned wide brimmed scout hat, with a grin on his face, a twinkle in his eye, and puffing on his pipe which was clamped upside down between his teeth.

As a Senior Scout (that’s what Ventures used to be called) Arthur Pitcher taught me some of the basic skills required to be a quartermaster for the scout summer camp at Broadstone Warren near East Grinstead in 1963. At that camp Arthur, Les and the rest of the Scouter team of the time were justifiably proud of the fact that every boy from both troops attended the camp for at least part of the time…

Later as a young Scouter when Rich Stone and I were running the troop Arthur was never far away. He always knew what was going on in the troop and he taught us to be aware of potential problems before they manifested themselves. It may have been galling at the time but Arthur was the king of the gentle touch on the arm and a discrete word in the ear. Usually it was deserved.

Right up until he died Arthur was a valuable member of the executive committee. Although his health may have been failing him in later years, he had the most astute mind. When the committee discussed any issues Arthur would unfailing cut through the waffle and chatter to reach the heart of the matter. I may not have always agreed with his conclusions, but his analysis was always faultless.

To the 2nd Edgware, Arthur Pitcher was Scout Master, Group Scout Master, Assistant District Commissioner, District Commissioner, and when the rules finally precluded him from wearing uniform he was a member of the Group Executive Committee. He was awarded the Silver Wolf, an award which is the unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout, for service of the most exceptional nature.

Arthur was a profound influence on my life, and I am sure, on many other people. He will be sadly missed.

Arthur with the Group flag in 1959

Arthur’s plaque, alongside Martin’s and our original flags, in the church. The only members of the Group to share this honour.

With text from the District newsletter (September 1938) with subsequent additions

Edith Moss – or Mrs Moss as she is referred to in records – has given many years of service to Cubbing, both as Pack Leader and as a District Officer. She ran a Pack in the Hendon Association (5th Hendon, Hiawatha) for several years, and was a District Officer there. During that time she was mainly responsible for running the Cub Pack at the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital, and it was definitely through her influence that the Hospital Pack first started.

Later Mrs Moss transferred to start the 2nd Edgware Cub Pack with Cubmaster Claude Fox, a role she then adopted in 1931 when Claude passed away. On top of this, she made time to volunteer as camp cook for many a Scout camp, as well as serving as the District Cubmaster and Assistant District Commissioner for Cubs. She did a great deal of valuable work in these positions, and even after stepping back as A.D.C., Edith was still able to organise District Cub Rallies, visits to the Military Tournament, and other such activities for Cubs of the District, and did so with great efficiency.

A couple of years after receiving the Medal of Merit, Edith Moss stepped down as Cubmaster in 1940. However, she never strayed too far from 2nd Edgware. A testimony to her lasting devotion is recorded in 1969 when her surprise visit to the Group’s 40th birthday was the highlight of the evening. She was clearly a much-loved member of Scouting and was key to 2nd Edgware’s earliest successes.

Mrs Moss (centre) with Dr Durwood and Chief (Whitsun Camp 1930)

Mrs Moss with 1st Brockley Hill (Royal National Orthopedic Hospital) Cubs c. 1932

Written by Sami Walbury, with additional text from Roger Colebrook

On 22nd April 2024 the beloved heart and soul of 2nd Edgware, Chris Pollard, passed away.

Chris joined 2nd Edgware as a Cub in 1951 and he never left. After turning 18, he volunteered with the Scouts for 63 years.

In Scouts he became the Patrol Leader for the Bears, gained his Queen’s Scout Award as a Senior Scout and then joined the Rover Crew where he helped run the Senior Scouts, including a summer camp in Torquay, the ROSETREE European expedition and a camp in Luxembourg.

Chris joined the Group Band as a Scout and continued with until it closed down. He played trumpet and was part of the many engagements the band had over the years. These included appearances at the London Gang Shows with Ralph Reader in 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1969 and the Farewell Gang Show in 1974. Chris took over as bandmaster in the late 1990s and continued until the band closed down in the early 2000s.

Chris also stepped up to be Group Scout Leader in 1990, before taking on the role many of us knew him for – Beaver Leader. For some 27 years Chris ran this section, with Stephanie for much of that time, as the two of them provided young people their very first experiences on their journey through Scouting.

Chris was a passionate supporter of Girlguiding 7th Edgware, as well as devoting a huge amount of work to Northern Heights Campsite which helped to make it the amazing place it is today.

Chris quietly got on with many of the little jobs and tasks around our hut which are essential, but don’t have names and often go unnoticed – like refilling the soap and putting the bins out. He was awarded the Medal of Merit in 1976 for services to Scouting and the Bar to the Award for Merit in 2019. He has been a part of Scouting for some 72 years in total, making him the Group’s longest-serving member.

His humour, advice and stories will be missed. Chris lives on in our memories of him and his legacy in the ongoing success of Scouting and Guiding in Edgware today.

Chris receiving an award in the early 1960s; Chris presenting an award in 2015

If you want to write a profile for a volunteer not yet listed on this page – or add to an existing profile – please get in touch! We’d love to be celebrate more of our past members.