Brent District Scouts

In July 1908 the Woodpigeon Patrol of the 1st Cricklewood Troop formed, and in a few weeks had recruited more members to start a second patrol, the Beavers. In the autumn they started meeting together with the 1st Kilburn Troop. At the start of 1909 the Scout Troops in Hampstead formed a local association, and the combined group decided to join the new local association as 7th Hampstead. However, with the troop continuing to grow it was decided the original 1st Crickwood would split out and register directly with the Hampstead Association. It was decided that they would register as 14th Hampstead after founding member Edward Margetson suggested it and is quoted as saying “Well we’ll be twice as good as the 7th!” After the experimental and first Scout Camp on Brownsea Island in 1907, the third scout camp was held in 1909 at Buckler's Hard in Hampshire. Two members of the 14th Hampstead Donald Rawlings and Willie Manson were among the 100 who were selected from a lottery of readers of The Scout.