Mystery Portsmouth Scout troop given grand title of 'Reserve Fleet' - Nostalgia
John tells me the group were not Sea Scouts but part of an original group of scouts although the neckerchief was mauve with a square horizontal black and white emblem. They were known as the 49th Reserve Fleet, somewhat dramatic for a boy scout group. This would have been in the early to mid 1950s.
They were attached to the submarine depot ship HMS Adamant and the group held church services on board.
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Hide AdThey also held a church service on board the navy’s last battleship HMS Vanguard then part of the reserve fleet in Portsmouth Harbour.
They were taken on board both by a boat from HMS Excellent, Whale island. John was also given a guided tour around the ship and visited the gun turrets which, he tells me, was a great thrill.
John has been in contact with several scouting groups to ask if anyone can remember the 49th but there is no record anywhere.
If you were part of the 49th scout group John would like to hear from you. Please call him on (023) 9246 5973 or e-mail me please.
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Hide Ad• Does anyone recognise these Pompey players from yesteryear? I believe that is the Milton End of Fratton Park and somewhat different to today’s Milton end. A Longs brewery hoarding, perhaps a Pompey sponsor of the time, is displayed to the rear.
The players seem to be wearing plimsolls (remember them?) and heavy sweaters. Anyone recognising the players, please let me know.
• There was a serious thunderstorm in the Fareham area in 1916, so much so that this house was struck by lightning and caught fire.
In the photograph we can see a beam with mortise cuts which fell from the roof. It appears to have fallen across the brass bedstead so let’s hope was no one asleep at the time. If the house had a thatched roof then it would have been disastrous of course.
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Hide Ad• A photograph taken from the Pier Hotel looking along Pier Road to Clarence Pier on a Boxing Day at the turn of the last century shows heavy flooding.
With all the rain we have had recently let’s hope scenes like this are not repeated.
Having said that, the young boy seems to be happy paddling in what must have been very cold water in December.
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