14th Hendon

Note: The following has been prepared from an article that appeared in the 1957 Hendon Local Association booklet that marked 50 years of Scouting. It was prepared at their invitation by Frank Griffiths, assisted by Lionel Siret and Jack Le Fort.

The 14th Hendon Troop originally registered in 1922 as the Argonauts attached to the Free Church, Hampstead Garden Suburb, and was transferred to Golders Green in 1926 as the 3rd Golders Green. Later we find that the new Group was known for its first eight years as the 1st Colindale, registered under the title of the 14th Hendon. One of the Scoutmasters was Mr Beach, who with Mr Chilcott (one time District Scoutmaster of Hendon) and Mr N Pilcher (one time Secretary of the Local Association) organised a sea cruise to Gibraltar in 1929 with a return visit by Gibraltar Sea Scouts to Hendon the following year. The entire cost to the Hendon boys was £4 for the fortnight! Mr Beach was also noted for his absorbing interest in model railways. The Group was closed in 1950.

Comment re above note – The reference to the Free Church may be incorrect. At the time of the said transfer the Free Church had their own Group – 1st Hampstead Garden Suburb – which had been going since 1915. It is possible that the correct Church was St Jude’s (Church of England) which is also located on Central Square opposite the Free Church, although they also had a Group (8th Golders Green) that started in 1924. The reason for mentioning St Jude’s is that there are a couple of press reports about events that the Group held there. This is quite possible despite other press reports that state that the Group’s Headquarters was at Webbs Farm, Addison Way, not too far away.

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The 3rd Golders Green, referred to here, which closed in 1950, has no connection with the new Group that opened at Claremont Road, Cricklewood and was registered as the 3rd Golders Green.

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According to the District Directory, dated June 1965, there was a 14th Hendon. This Group does not appear to have any connection with the Group mentioned above. The met T St paul’s Church Hall, The Ridgeway, NW7 and the colour of their scarf was scarlet with a yellow border.. The SM / CM was Ken Strachan.