Scouting On The Isle Of Wight

Posted on 06 February 2010 • 

Introduction

It seems very strange that it always takes something exciting to happen before we actually complete something "we have always meant to do".

I am sure over the last one hundred years, various people have set out to record the history of scouting on the isle of wight. A number of people have written the history of their section, group or area, but to the best of our knowledge, never the complete island.

It has taken a special date - the Centenary of Scouting - to generate the willpower to take on this mammoth task and record for posterity the information we are still able to collate and record. I am sure the production of the book will generate a whole host of information to come forth we never knew about. Hopefully, that information can be included in an update or, at very least, an addendum.

Special thanks must go to all the amateur historians who have spent hours researching articles to be included in this book. I hope you have as much fun reading it as the editors and compilers have had in writing it.

Editor: Barry Groves, Assistant District Commissioner East Wight

Asst. Editors: John Groves, Ex GSL 1st Northwood, and Chris Tetley, East Wight Scout Fellowship

ISBN 5-032510-800417

For more information on the history of Scouting on the Isle of Wight, and to order a copy of the book "Scouting on the Isle of Wight" contact Barry Groves either directly or use the Contact Us page and select "History of Scouting on Island (Editor)" to send an email.

Posted on 24 February 2010 • 

The Story of Doctor Frank Robert Barnard Howard Kennedy 

The writing of the 2007 "Scouting on the Isle of Wight" Book brought to light the incredible influence Doctor Kennedy had on the development of scouting on the Isle of Wight. He played an influential part in being the travelling doctor on four of the five train cruises and attended many national events as the resident doctor, including Jamborees and Moots. This was his Scouting C.V. produced at the end of the 30's when he was recommended for the Silver Wolf in 1940.

 
Doctor Frank Kennedy -------This is your (amazing) Life.
 
Name:                                     Kennedy. Frank Robert Barnard Howard
 
Address:                                 Gilwell, Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight.
 
Date of Birth:                           6th. August 1905
 
Occupation:                             Physician and Surgeon in General Practice
 
Date of Joining Branch:             Foundation Member
 
Scout History
 
1914                                        Joined 1st Ryde (Isle of Wight) Parish Church Group
 
1918                                        Promoted to Second
 
1919                                        Promoted to Patrol Leader
 
1920                                        Promoted to Troop Leader                                                                                     
 
                                               Badges Won - Second Class (1915), First Class & Green & Yellow Cords (1918), King’s Scout & Red
                                                                     & White Cords (1919), Gold Cords (1920), Ambulanceman – Basket Worker – Camper
                                                                      – Cook – Cyclist – Dairyman – Electrician – Entertainer – Fireman – Handyman –
                                                                       Interpreter – Laundryman – Leatherworker – Master-At-Arms – Naturalist – Pathfinder
                                                                       – Photographer – Poultry Farmer – Thriftyman.
 
1923                                        Granted rank of S.M with warrant as A.S.M. of 1st Ryde Troop
 
1924                                        Became Rover Scout. Won Rover Instructor Badge (First Class). In charge of Isle of
                                               Wight Contingent at Imperial Jamboree at Wembley.
 
1925                                         Granted rank as S.M. of 1st Ryde Troop.
 
1927                                         Attended Practical Scout Course at Trent Park and was awarded Scout Wood Badge.
 
1928                                         Acting A.D.C. for Camps for North East Wight District. Attended Practical Cub Course at Trent
                                                Park and was awarded the Cub Wood Badge. 
                                                                                                                                                             
1929                                         Left Ryde for residence at Shifnal, Shropshire. Started 1st Shifnal Scout Group. (Scouts in March,
                                                Cubs in August and Rovers in September). Granted Warrants as S.M. & G.S.M. Acting A.D.C.
                                                Wrekin District. (No Warrant applied for owing to uncertainty of duration of residence in Shropshire).
                                                Medical Officer - No. 1 Sub-Camp 3rd World Jamboree at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead.
 
1930                                        Left Shifnal. Granted Warrant as Honary G.S.M. of 1st Shifnal Group.
 
1931                                        Inspected 35 Groups in Rangoon and Bassein in Burma and ran a Cub Training Course in Rangoon.
                                               Attended Practical Rover Course at Gilwell and awarded Rover Wood Badge.
 
1932                                        Granted a Warrant as A.D.C. Rovers for Nort East Wight. Resigned on transfer to Central Wight
                                               District when a Warrant as A.D.C. was granted. Attended Practical Commissioner’s Course at Gilwell.                        
 
1933                                        Granted Warrant as D.C. for North Wight.
 
1934                                        Attended Refresher Cub Practical Course at Downe Park.
 
1935                                        Granted Warrant as A.I.C. Rovers for Isle of Wight. Attended Refresher Scout Course
                                               at Hattingley. Passed a Sea Scout Theoretical Course.
 
1936                                        Medical Officer Scout Train Cruise. Appointed Acting D.C. North East Wight District.
 
1937                                        Medical Officer Scout Train Cruise. Principal Medical Officer of British Contingent to Fifth World Jamboree in Holland.
 
1938                                        Medical Officer Scout Train Cruise. Resigned position of Acting D.C. for North East Wight District.
 
1939                                        Medical Officer Scout Train Cruise. On staff of British Headquarters at Thirld World Rover Moot in Scotland.
 
 
National Service                      (1) Squad Leader North Wight A.R.P. Squad of Messengers
                                             (2) County Surgeon Isle of Wight Area St John’s Ambulance Brigade
                                             (3) Medical Officer British Red Cross Detatchments Nos. 49 (Men) & 236 (Women) at Wootton Bridge.