In the days before national student Scout movements it is often believed that universities and Scouting operated entirely separately from one another. Recent finds in the Westminster College archives, however, help to show otherwise. Photographs, letters, and even a contemporary Scout shirt have helped to trace the story of Rover Scouting at Westminster College.
Founded between 1918 (the establishment of Rover Scout Crews) and 1934 (the first entry in the College’s Rover log book) Westminster College staff and students founded the 41st Westminster (Westminster College) Rover Scout Crew.
Operating under the leadership of one of the college tutors and a ‘court of honour’ consisting of all the members who were in their final year at college, and running out of ‘Hostel 1’, this Rover Crew closely mirrors a modern Network (Scouting for members aged 18-25) or SSAGO (Student Scout and Guide Organisation) group. The single surviving log book details, among other things, the activities of the Rover Crew – regularly mentioning games nights, hikes, knot tying, first aid, camping… all activities which are still enjoyed by all ages of Scouts today!
The similarities between Scouts then and Scouts now don’t end there. The Rover Scout shirt is so similar to an adult Scouting shirt today; the same colour, the same basic badges. Even if the style and placement of badges have changed, the foundation of modern student Scouting can clearly be seen through every aspect of the 41st Westminster group – in the activities, the uniform, even in the ideals.
Despite the log having been lost between the outbreak of war in 1939 and its rediscovery in 1958, photographs of the Rover Crews show that the 41st Westminster group kept running, showing its popularity endured regardless of the challenges facing the College: dispersal of students during the Second World War, and the College’s relocation to Oxford in 1959.
Following the move to Oxford, the Westminster College Rover Scout group was reformed as 51st Oxford (Westminster College), and continued to thrive and enjoy Scouting activities – making use of the now nearby campsite at Youlbury in the place of Gilwell Scout Centre. Whilst the log book finishes in 1961, the Scouting presence continued at Westminster College, being mentioned in the Students’ Union executive committee minutes in the 1970s.
Today, the students of Oxford Brookes University continue to be involved in Scouting as members of OUSGG (Oxford University Scouts and Guide Group) or as leaders for local scout groups, just like the first members of the 41st Westminster Rovers did, showing just how closely united ‘Floreat Westminsteriensis’ and ‘Be Prepared’ are.
Thomas Dobson, Collections and Digitisation Officer
Westminster Oxford Research Network 