St. George’s Day Parades
As all Scouts know St. George is not only the Patron Saint of England but he is also the Patron Saint of Scouts. In ‘Scouting for Boys’ Robert Baden- Powell likens Scouts to knights of old and the Scout Law to the rules by which they lived. He talks about chivalry and because St. George was the only patron saint who was a horseman he was the Patron Saint of the cavalry from which the word chivalry is derived.
St George’s Day is the 23rd April and on that day all Scouts should remind themselves of their Promise and of the Scout Law. To do this most Scouts take part in a parade and service every year, either on that day or as close to it as possible.
In addition to the District parades there is also an annual parade at Windsor Castle that is attended by selected holders of the King’s and Queen’s Scout Badge/Award. The first of these was in April 1934 when a parade of King’s Scouts was reviewed by King George V and was followed by the first National Scout Service in St George’s Chapel.
Where we have a record of who represented our District at these parades specific mention is made within the article that has been written about their Group.
The first record we have found of a parade in Finchley was that held on the 23rd April 1924. As can be seen from the attached press cutting the celebration took place at Gordon Hall, the headquarters of the 10th Finchley. Dr Griffin, Assistant County Commissioner for London and Commissioner for Fulham and Hammersmith, gave the address.
For many years, following the parade and service in our District, afternoon tea was provided for Scouters and visiting dignitaries at the District Headquarters. Quite often special announcements and awards were also made at this gathering.
The table below covers the years for which we have information. It provides the location, the name of the person that gave the address and any relevant additional facts.
For most of these years there are also press cuttings and some photographs. They can be viewed by clicking here.
| Year | Venue | Speaker | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | St. Mary’s School, Church End, Finchley | Mr Alick Tassell Chief Scout’s Commissioner |
Over 400 Cubs and Scouts were on parade |
| 1929 | Squires Lane School | Mr H E Spencer County Secretary for Kent |
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| 1930 | Squires Lane School | Mr F Haydn Dimmock Editor of ‘The Scout’ |
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| 1931 | Squires Lane School | Mr F Haydn Dimmock Editor of ‘The Scout’ |
Joint parade with Brownies and Guides as part of the Scout & Guide week |
| 1932 | Great North Road School, East Finchley | Mr H Francis Clarke DC for South West Herts |
Over 200 Scouts and Rovers. No record of Cubs commemoration |
| 1933 | Martin School, East Finchley | Mr Ince ACC for East London |
Over 200 Cubs and nearly 300 Scouts paraded |
| 1934 | Martin School, East Finchley | Mr Hubert Martin C.B.E. International Commissioner |
Mr Feasey, retiring District Chairman, presented with Thanks Badge |
| 1935 | Manorside School, Finchley | Mr J F Colquhoun Headquarters Commissioner for Wolf Cubs |
Separate parades for Cubs and Scouts. The Cub address was followed by a film |
| 1936 | Martin School, East Finchley | For Scouts & Rovers: Mr Graham Wallis, DC for Barnet For Cubs: Mrs Hoare |
After the Cub parade a film was shown |
| 1937 | Martin School, East Finchley | For Scouts & Rovers: Rev. Preb. Stewart F L Bernays, Rector of Finchley For Cubs: Ald. A T Pike O.B.E., J.P., Mayor of Finchley |
Over 350 Cubs & Scouts attended representing 15 Groups |
| 1938 | Martin School, East Finchley | Rev. Preb. Stewart F L Bernays, Rector of Finchley | A film of the 1937 Jamboree was shown after the parade |
| 1939 | Cubs: Gordon Hall (10th Finchley HQ) Scouts & Rovers: Martin School, East Finchley |
Rev R Crossley-Scott Mr Hugh Linstead |
104 Cubs and 14 Scouters at their parade |
| 1940 | Unknown | Sir Percy Everett Chief Scout Commissioner |
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| 1941 | Unknown | Cllr H H Wilmot Mayor of Finchley |
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| 1942 | Gordon Hall | Mr F Haydn Dimmock Editor of ‘The Scout’ |
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| 1943 | Gordon Hall | Mr Rex Hazlewood of Imperial Headquarters | There were some changes to the format – click here to see the Gallery |
| 1944 | No details can currently be found | ||
| 1945 | No details can currently be found | ||
| 1946 | Christ’s College The Catholic Cubs & Scouts attended a service at St. Philip’s Church |
Rev. Michael Ridley, Rector of Finchley Unknown |
After the services all came together on the playground of Christ’s College for an inspection |
| 1947 | Christ’s College The Catholic Cubs & Scouts attended a service at St. Philip’s Church |
Rev. Ronald Adams, Scoutmaster of 6th Finchley Rev. Bernard Bussey of the Catholic Scouts Advisory Council |
After the services all came together on the playground of Christ’s College for a march past |
| 1948 | St Mary-at-Finchley The Catholic Cubs & Scouts attended a service at St. Philip’s Church |
Michael Gresford Jones, Bishop of Willesden Unknown |
After the services all came together on the playground of Christ’s College for the renewal of the promises |
| 1949 | Methodist Church, East Finchley The Catholic Cubs & Scouts: Unknown |
Mr F Beagles, District Commissioner for West Ham Unknown |
After the services everyone assembled on Martin School playing field for a march past |
| 1950 | Christ Church, North Finchley The Catholic Cubs & Scouts: Unknown |
Rev. A C Heath of St. Paul’s School Unknown |
After the services the parade reassembled for a march past |
| 1951 | St Mary-at Finchley The Catholic Cubs & Scouts attended a service at St. Philip’s Church |
Rev. Ronald Adams, Vicar of Portslade, Sussex and former Scoutmaster of 6th Finchley Unknown |
After the services all came together on the playground of Christ’s College for a march past |
| 1952 | |||
| 1953 | |||
| 1954 | |||
| 1955 |