大象传媒

This story is submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by a member of Market Harborough Branch, Royal British Legion on behalf of Reg Tarry and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Tarry fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

Reg Tarry, now a lively 94 year-old, kept a detailed account of his life overseas in the RAF Police from September 1941 until December 1944, This episode is from the time he returned to Egypt after his Middle East HQ unit, Base Accounts Office, had spent some 18 months in Kenya. Reg was still making good use of his off-duty time!

THE FORMING of A ROVER-SCOUT CREW AT EL GEDIDA
L.a.c. (now P.O.) John Cooper asked me to start a Rover Crew in El Gedida Camp soon after we arrived and though I most certainly did not feel equal to the task, never having been a Rover, in respect for John whom I hold in high esteem, I promised I would do my best. The following is the first entry from the Crew Log:

Monday January 10th 1944
Eight people met in the Church and Welfare Tent at 2030 hrs this evening to discuss the possibilities of forming a Rover Crew at el Gedida.

Cpl. Reg Tarry was in the Chair, ably assisted by Padre Collins. Tarry opened the proceedings by briefly outlining the events which let up to the calling of the meeting, referring to the interest in the Rover Scout Movement displayed by P.O. John Cooper and his desire that a Crew be formed. He mentioned with regret that since John Cooper had been commissioned and had gone to H.Q.M.E. he was not able to see his wish come true but he would certainly be informed of the fact.

That plenty of opportunities for Service could be found should a Crew be formed was pointed out by Tarry in answer to Cpl. Stan May. Padre Collins who had Rovering experience in Aden had already consented to become the Crew鈥檚 Chaplain. An option is held on a room suitable for Crew meetings at Lady Lampson鈥檚 R A T Club in Heliopolis on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. Copies of Policy and Organisation of the MEF RSA鈥� were to be had for the use of Crews and one was on the table for the use of those present. Lac Dalgarno asked that others be obtained in order that prospective members of the Crew could not only study them at their leisure but could, by their use, get others interested.

Some discussion took place as to the time and place of meetings; overtime, it was thought would raise certain obstacles against a 100% attendance and it was finally decided, on the motion of Dalgarno and May that a further meeting be held at the tent on Monday January 10th at the same time when possibly, the question of RSL and other office bearers could be dealt with, meanwhile Tarry was given the job of Scribe - no election - he was just given the job! And he didn鈥檛 seem to mind!

No formal opening or closing of the meeting was made, and with a final promise by those present to try to interest other people, Old Scouts and Rovers on the camp coupled with Tarry鈥檚 promise to procure more copies of 鈥淧 and 0鈥�, the meeting dispersed.

There was a feeling that a few twigs had been set alight and, seeing that there are plenty of trees about, there was no reason why sufficient sticks should not be forthcoming to make quite a respectable and useful fire.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.