21st 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.

In mentioning the 21st Hendon (3rd Mill Hill), one’s thoughts immediately turn to Mrs Mae Beecher whose name is enshrined in the hearts of all members of the Group and is commemorated by the naming of the recently opened Headquarters at Apex Corner: ‘The Mae Beecher Hall’. These headquarters were opened by P B Nevill Esq. OBE, Headquarters Commissioner.

The Group was founded in May 1940 by the Rev. McEwen Lawson MA, as an open Group attached to Union Church, Mill Hill. Its GSM since its inception has been Mr John Pugh.

This Group has enjoyed a vigorous existence and its Senior Troop in 1956 won the Wylie Trophy which is awarded each year to the Group in the County of London submitting the most interesting log book of a summer adventure. The Troop was successful at the third attempt, having been runners-up during 1954 and 1955. A truly outstanding achievement.

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According to the District Directory dated June 1965, this Group was still in existence. The GSM is recorded as J Pugh, the SM as T Kemp, the SSL(s) Paul Elliott & Howard Bartlett, the RSL Peter Rowe and the CM as Miss Megan Barber. The colour of the Group scarf was maroon, although that worn by the Rovers also had a navy blue border.