Cambridge District Scout Archive
This is a review of Cambridge University links with Scouting in the first 50 years. It does not purport to be exhaustive or to include all the Rover links but rather to highlight the involvement by senior members and University institutions. Much of this information is included in other pieces.
List of Colleges Founded before 1914 with Master or Dean involved. The masters are given the title they used in Scout records. For a long time Arthur Gray was not identified as Master of Jesus.
| College | Master M Dean D | Troop | Role |
| Christ’s | D Rev Valentine – Richards | 10th | |
| Clare | D Rev T C P Crick (member 1910) | 27th | |
| Corpus Christi | M Col R T Caldwell (member 1910) | 16th | |
| Downing | M Col Howard Marsh M Prof A C Seward M Admiral H W Richmond | DC President | |
| Emmanuel | M Dr T S Hele (& Vice Chancellor) | ||
| Fitzwilliam | |||
| Girton | Female college | ||
| Gonville & Caius | D Rev Duncan Jones | 29th | Chairman |
| Homerton | See below | ||
| Hughes Hall | Female college | ||
| Jesus | M Arthur Gray | ||
| King’s | The Chaplain (President of [Troop] committee) | 3rd 4th | |
| Magdalene | M A B Ramsay | ||
| Newnham | Female college | ||
| Pembroke | D Rev Dewey c 1936 | 41st | |
| Peterhouse | note Carey Francis (Senior Bursar) | 4th | |
| Queens’ | D Rev C T Woods M Rev & Mrs. B R Fitzpatrick v. supportive from start | 9th | |
| Selwyn | D Rev Hennessey (member 1910) | See below | |
| Sidney Sussex | D Rev Dean Smith | ||
| St Catharine’s | D The Dean (President of [Troop] committee) | 3rd, 20th | |
| St Edmund’s | |||
| St John’s | 26th | ||
| Trinity | D Rev F A Simpson | with the 7th |
- In 1920 six College Choirs were listed
- Homerton in association with Morley Memorial which was a training school.
- Corpus Christi were specifically involved with Littleton House School which was known as Corpus Christi Special Pack. The school catered for ‘mentally backwards boys’.
- Selwyn Ran the 67th Evacuees pack WW2
A number of Colleges were opened to troops on occasions; Sidney Sussex gave permission to the 16th to use the grounds on at least one occasion and Downing was used on several occasions though neither hosted a group.
Many links have not yet been established. As an example Rev Charles Archibald Edmund Pollock of Corpus Christi, Bursar, Dean and long term Fellow, was present at B.-P.s 1928 rally. All other names had known Scouting links. An Alderman he was active in many aspects of town life but quite why he was there is unclear. The Service was held at the Central Cinema.
Professors (not mentioned above)
Prof J Stanley Gardiner Professor of Zoology in 1909 G &Caius DC
Prof H F Baker Lowndean Professor of Astronomy member
Prof J E Marr Woodwardian Professor of Geology member
Prof Frederick J M Stratton Professor of Astrophysics Chairman
Professor Duff, Trinity Regius Professor of Civil Law 1945 – 68, Dean, Vice Master,
This list is probably not complete – not all Professors used the title. Some early Scouters who later became professors are not included.
Short list of other University men
Rev Mgr Barnes Chaplin to University at Fisher House
Dr Alexander Wood Esq Emmanuel physicist conscientious objector
Baron Anatole von Hügel (1854-1928) first curator of Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Cambridge opened its doors to Catholics in 1871. Baron von Hugel led a petition asking the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to lift the Church ban on entering which was lifted in 1895 .
Dr J M E McTaggart Trinity Philosopher, atheist Exhibited an ‘extremely virulent’ patriotism – he took a leading part in the expulsion of the pacifist Bertrand Russell from Trinity. He became increasingly conservative, even to the extent that, although an atheist, he was a keen supporter of the Church of England; he was a strong feminist.
A F R Wollaston Kings Ornithologist, botanist, climber and explorer. He took part in the 1921 British Expedition to Mount Everest 10th Cambridge
Professor John E B Mayor, St John’s Kennedy Professor of Latin, died 1910 from the Eagle Lent 1912 ‘evidence of his lasting freshness shewn in his approval of scouting- ” The movement,” he says, ” lays hold of the chivalry innate in the young” ‘.
Rev Fitzpatrick President of Queens’ 1906 – 1931 and Vice Chancellor (twice) and his wife Mrs. R B Fitzpatrick were supporters of Scouting from the outset. Mrs BRF was an examiner and organised Ambulance Competitions. (See C T Wood)
1950+
1954 A review of leaders by WTT between the years 1945 and 1953 observed that only 6 of the leaders were senior members of the University. At this date the movement had less need of support for its own sake and the involvement of a Vice Chancellor was active and not advisory or passive. Professor Cherry was still sending money yearly as was Professor JRM Butler sometime Vice Master Trinity, Professor H A Holland at Trinity and Master at Magdalen, ProfessorA B Ramsay .
2000+
Many members of the University have been and remain involved as active members. No university based Troops remain although the Cambridge University Scout and Guide Club is very active in the District.
JWR Archivist Oct 2019
Cambridge District Scout Archive 