6th August
n Saturday, the 6th of August, seven Scouts from Pahang arrived
at the V.I. at noon with two officers. They were met by our Assistant
District Commissioner, Mr M. A. Akbar, and some Rover Scouts. After
having rested for some time in the school hall, our A.D.C. took
them into the town where they had some refreshments. They had dinner
with our A.D.C. and some Rover Scouts at "John’s" Hotel,
Malacca Street.
7th August
The next morning, at ten o’clock, the Scouts who were to go to Camp assembled in the School grounds and later marched to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station where they met the Scouts from Malacca and Negri Sembilan. There was then a route march back to school via Damansara Road, Market Street, and High Street, headed by the school bands. At noon, on the same day, we again marched to the Railway Station and after much cheering from the Selangor Rover Scouts and others, we set off for Port Swettenham.
We arrived at Klang at 2 p.m. where the three Klang Scouts joined us, and as soon as they had boarded the train we started for Port Swettenham. Arriving there most of our kit was carried on board ship by some of the Singapore Scouts.
Our ship, the S. S. Klang left for Penang at 5 p.m. About 6.30 p.m. we had our dinner. As the ship went on, we had our places allotted to us, and every one began to prepare his kit ready for the night’s sleep, which he hoped to get, if only Fate was gracious and the ship behaved herself properly. Very unfortunately a stiff breeze sprang up during the night, and a few of us had rather an unhappy time. Every inch of available space was occupied. This was the first test of the intermingling of Scouts from various parts of the Peninsula, and it was undoubtedly a marked characteristic of this venture, as every individual Scout had to remember that he was "A brother to every other Scout, no matter to what social class and to what nationality the other belongs."
At 7 a.m., the next morning, we steamed into Swettenham Pier, where about 200 Scouts from Penang, Perak, Province Wellesley, and Kedah were waiting for us on the jetty. As soon as we could get ourselves and our kits off the boat, we formed up and marched to the Penang Free School, where light refreshments were provided. After having had our tea and some biscuits, we were lined up by contingents for the Commissioner for Malaya’s (Mr Frank C. Sands) inspection. After this, we marched by troops to the tram embarkation station at the Magazine headed by the Singapore Scout Band.
8th August
We arrived in Camp at about 11 a.m., and after a light meal we were detailed to our respective tents. Although the Rifle Range was not an ideal spot for a Scout Camp, owing to its distance from the sea, and an entire lack of shady trees, yet there were many good points. It was sufficiently far from the town to escape the attention of "camp followers" who sometimes can make themselves a perfect nuisance.
It was intended to have a route march in the evening to spy out the neighbouring places, but an official cinematograph operator arrived and there was a march past in fours instead; and contingents staked their claims and practised their demonstrations for the "At Home" on Wednesday. At 6 p.m., we had the "Retreat", and after dinner, a "free and easy sing-song" was held, under the direction of Rev. J. V. Westlake, in the canteen. Time for bed came far too soon, although there were not many who kept awake after "Lights Out", for the day had been sufficiently strenuous.
9th August
The Reveille sounded at 6 a.m. After tea and some biscuits, we had our "physical jerks" under Mr R. Lyne of the Singapore Y.M.C.A. Even Commissioners and Scouters were to be seen taking part in the morning "capers". After breakfast was over, we went out for a big Scouting Game arranged by the D.C. for Penang (Mr H. R. Cheeseman). Although the game was only half completed we had a very good view of the neighbourhood for further field operations. In the afternoon, a pleasant change was made by a trip to the Penang Hill. Most of us who had not been up to the summit of this hill were thrilled by the novelty of the hill railway and the glorious view at the top. There we visited the Governor’s Bungalow and the two beautiful Rest Houses. In the evening a lecture on the next day’s Scout work was given by the D.C. for Perak (Mr H. R. Hertslet). During the night we had the first shower of rain but everybody was so tired that very little notice was taken of the slight downpour.
10th August
The whole Camp went to Tanjong Bungah as it was said that the Scout work arranged for that day was postponed until tomorrow. In Tanjong Bungah by kind permision of the Committee of the Swimming Club three hours were spent very enjoyably. We returned to Camp very much refreshed after "tasting" what Penang sea water was like.
In the afternoon the "At Home" was held. There were many visitors present in the Camp, and they were very much interested with the Camp arrangements. No special programme was arranged, and so the visitors walked round and saw the various contingents at work. Bridge-building, Ambulance, Signalling, Tent-pitching, Knot-tying and many other Scout demonstrations were to be seen. The Resident Councillor (the Honourable Mr Ralph Scott) was present, and he and the Commissioner for Malaya were very pleased with the Selangor Contingent which demonstrated Ambulance work and Knot-tying. The latter bit of Scoutcraft, especially the speed at which the different knots and loops were done, surprised a London Rover Scout, who was also present. After this, the Resident Councillor made a speech, and then decorated Mr H. R. Cheeseman, D.C. for Penang, with the Silver Wolf.
11th August
We, the boys of the Selangor Contingent, were the Camp Orderlies, and had to remain in Camp to do all the necessary work. We did not take part in the Scouting Game arranged for that day. In the evening there was a Soccer match between teams chosen from the Scouts of the Colony and those from the F.M.S. For this game, one of our Selangor Scouts was chosen to play for the F.M.S. I am sorry to record that the F.M.S. side lost the match, the score being 5-4. This was due to the fact that there was more individual play than team play.
Our District Commissioner, Mr J. R. Kellam, paid us a few "flying visits". He could not remain all the time because of his business in other States. In one of the Officers’ Training classes our D.C. spoke of his experiences at Gilwell and the International Jamboree at Denmark to which he went. It was particularly interesting to hear from him about the International Jamboree, and how in spite of the huge numbers (over a thousand) it was run on the Patrol basis, each Patrol cooking and managing for itself.
12th August
Friday morning, and at 11 o’clock about 120 Mohammedan Scouts under the charge of the Assistant Commissioner, Mr M. A. Akbar, went to town, where they were joined by the Penang Malay Scouts, to attend the Mosque service. The total number of Malay Scouts numbered about 270, and they went to the Acheen Street Mosque. Before their return to camp they were given refreshments by the Mosque authorities.
It is necessary to emphasise that at Camp, Scouts swear loyalty to God and that Scout training emphasises attention to religious duties in addition to all other duties. For this reason this Mosque parade was arranged and contingents were asked to make their own arrangements for Buddhist Scouts to go to their temples.
In the evening the Officers played a game of soccer against the Boys. In spite of strong support from the touch-line, the officers were beaten. After the match, bitter complaints were made by the officers against the Commissioner for Malaya who acted as referee. He failed to give his support to the officers who had anticipated his favour, neither did he apply a rule that would have made all the difference to the result, namely that "on approaching officers scouts should spring to attention and salute"!!!!
13th August
The different contingents did their own sections of scoutwork in their own way, and in the afternoon the Scouts were invited to the Lyric Theatre Cinema. The journey down to town was in trams, but we marched back to Camp led by the band. The day concluded with a talk by the D.C. for Malacca, after which we went to bed.
14th August
Three Church Parades were held - one for those attending the Church of England, St George’s Church, at Green Lane, where Rev. J. V. Westlake was the preacher, and the second at the Methodist Church, where Rev. P. L. Peach preached. These were real Scout Services, and it was unfortunate that so few Scouts were on parade. In the evening a party of Scouts went to the Fitzgerald Memorial Church in Burmah Road for the Service.
At 8.30 p.m. the same night the Commissioner for Malaya gave a talk on the "Why" and the "Wherefore" of the Camp. In visiting the many Troops scattered throughout the length and breadth of Malaya, he had often felt how wonderful it would be if representatives from the various Associations could be got together in one big Camp. In the first place it would give the boys of Kedah a chance to rub shoulders with those of Selangor or Singapore and so on. This was good in itself because it brought the lad who lived in some isolated places in touch with the fellows who had spent most of their time amidst the rush and bustle of large towns. Naturally they would compare notes and the experiences of the one would help the other. Of course, they all thought that their own particular Association was the best in Malaya; they all felt that their own Troop was absolutely "IT". This was quite right, but when they came up against other Troops as they had done in this Camp they began to see that they were not "the only pebbles on the beach", for there were other Troops who could lay a just claim to being the very best. Healthy rivalry was a good thing, but Scouts must always guard against the first suggestion of jealousy.
15th August
The Scout work that had proved only partially successful on the previous Tuesday was carried out again in a modified form and proved entirely succesful. The scheme was arranged to give practice in tracking, concealment, direction observation, ambulance and stretcher-carrying. On the march back practice in passing messages was given. This message-carrying was much appreciated by those who participated in the game.
In the evening everyone went by tram to the Esplanade. In the soccer match against the Penang Cricket Club the Scouts lost by four goals to two. After the match the "Retreat" was sounded on the Esplanade and we marched to the jetty, after which we returned to Camp.
In the evening visitors were invited for the real "Campfire" Concert, which was a great success. There was a glorious blaze, and at this Campfire we, the scouts of Selangor, were given the honour of providing the opening item. It was an honour for which we are very grateful to Rev. Westlake. Our war dances and Scout songs were much appreciated by all the Scouts of all States and the visitors. By the time we departed from Camp our "Selangor Scout Songs" were sung by the Scouts of other States - a new triumph for Selangor!
16th August
One of our Selangor Scouts had to go to Teluk Anson, and so he joined the Ipoh contingent to go back by the morning train. The main body left Camp at 2 p.m.; some in trams and others on the lorries with the kit. At the Prai Ferry there came the inevitable separation and loud cheers were exchanged. Kedah, Province Wellesley, and Perak Scouts went by train, while the rest travelled by boat. At 4 p.m., the S. S. Klang came alongside the jetty to take on those who came up in her ten days ago. At 5 o’clock sharp our boat left Penang. At the jetty there was a great gathering. We were cheered so much that we knew not what to do. After dinner Scouts of the Selangor contingent entertained all those of the other States and also the passengers on board the S. S. Klang. After our throats had become hoarse we said "Good-night" to them and we went for our repose. Throughout the night the sea was quite calm and we slept soundly. As we sailed home we thought of our good fortune and our happy time in camp. There had not been a drop of rain apart from a couple of showers which came in the night. The health of the whole Camp had been good. The "Padre" was appointed Camp "M.O."; and it was rumoured that he was always "heavy-handed" with the Epsom Salts!
During the whole of our stay in Camp, there had been only five who fell ill. They were left behind in the Penang General Hospital. One of them, Scout Lam, died a few weeks ago. He belonged to the Fifth Troop, Singapore. We the Scouts of Selangor extend to his parents and his brother, (S.M. of the Fifth Singapore Troop) who was with us in Camp, our deepest sympathies.
The Camp was a success chiefly because it brought home to every Scout as never before that he was a member of a big organisation. To have driven home this lesson alone made the Camp worthwhile. Some Scouts realised by coming into contact with others that they lacked self-discipline and that they tended to be conceited. Such lessons will be invaluable to the Scouts concerned. Each centre had some virtue for which it could be commended, Selangor for its "Songs and Dances, and Excellent Discipline".
17th August
At 7 o’clock we had tea and biscuits, and then we disembarked, and marched to the Port Swettenham railway station, where a special coach was awaiting us. After we had said "Good-bye" to the Scouts of the Singapore Contingent our train steamed away. About noon we arrived in Kuala Lumpur.
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