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King’s Scout Ropert Gray

received a long-distance call from the Scout Headquarters in Vancouver, advising him that I
had been chosen as a delegate to the World Jamboree in England. From then until the time
came to set out I lived in a state of thrilled anticipation.

On July the Sixth a send-off banquet was held at the Hotel Georgia, Vancouver, for the eight
B. C. delegates. The parents and scoutmasters of the boys were entertained with them. Mr. and Mrs.
Raley and Mr. Pirie accompanied me. Here we received the hearty congratulations of the Jamboree
committee, and the compliments of the Mayor of Vancouver. At ten minutes before midnight we
went to the C. N. R. station, where we boarded the train and were off on our great adventure.

The trip across the Continent was interesting. I enjoyed the scenery through the Rockies, but
found the Prairies rather dull. Early on the morning of July 11th all the members of the Canadian
Contingent arrived at Ottawa, gathered together, and marched up to a large cafe where we had our
breakfast. Our camp site in Ottawa was near a large Public School, and right next to a Public Play-
ground, where we had our sports every evening, with a large crowd of people looking on. We stayed at
this camp a week, during which time we practiced our manoeuvres, stunts and the special entertainment
we were to present at the Jamboree—a pageant of early Canadian history. Shortly before we feft
Ottawa we visited the Federal Parliament Buildings. After we had been shown about the Building
Premier King made us an address of encouragement.

NU shall I forget the evening Mr. Raley called me to his office and told me he had just

On July 18th we left Ottawa by train for Montreal—a three hours’ journey. Here we had supper
on board the S.S. “Antonia,” and immediately afterwards set out on a sightseeing drive, visiting’ many
places of interest, among them McGill University.

On the morning of July 19th we left Montreal. The “Antonia” travelled at low speed down the
St. Lawrence, and the scenery was very interesting. About nine the next morning we disembarked at
Quebec and marched up to the Citadel where we were inspected by the Governor General, the band
playing gaily all the time. We left Quebec just before dinner, and sailed down the river a whole day
long. It took us two days from Quebec to the Straits of Belle Isle, and about twelve hours after we
passed the Straits we were out of sight of land. Six days passed before we were able to see the Coast
of Ireland. We called first at Clyde River, and early next morning reached Birkenhead, which is just
across from Liverpool. Here a tender put us off, and we travelled by bus to our camp, Arrow Park.
All the other Contingents, numbering about fifty thousand, arrived the same day. It was a most
impressive sight.

On Wednesday, July 31st, the Duke of Connaught, former Governor-General of Canada, formally
opened the Jamboree, and several thousand visitors watched us as we marched past to salute the Duke.
Afterwards the different Contingents entertained the crowd with stunts.

The tents of the Scouts were scattered all over the vast Park. In connection with the camp of
each separate Contingent was a display tent showing the vegetation or pictures of the Country from
which they came. Near the Arena were all kinds of ‘Shops,’ where the thousands of Boy Scouts
could get whatever they wanted. Every evening there was a huge International Camp Fire, where the
boys gathered to make friends with one another. Although many of them had difficulty in speaking
English it was wonderful how quickly we all came to understand each other.

On the third day the Prince of Wales visited the Camp. He read us the King’s message, and we
all marched past him in review. Prince Henry also visited the camp, to review the Sea Scouts, of
whom he is the leader.

During the second week the boys who had relatives near left to visit them. The few of us who
remained in camp had a very enjoyable time with our new foreign friends. It was during this period
that I got in touch with Kenneth Rust, of the Ist Hythe Troop of Kent, England. This was our
Assistant Scoutmaster Peake’s old Troop, and I had brought with me from the School a small carved
totem to present to them. In return they made me a gift of a bronze scout statuette to carry back
to the Coqualeetza Troop as a trophy. At this time also I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance
of our Principal’s brother, Major Arthur Raley, who had charge of a division of English Scouts at
the other end of the Park.

On August 10th, the last day of the Jamboree, presentations were made to Lord Robert Baden-
Powell, the honoured founder and leader of the Boy Scouts. The gift of the Scouts of all the Nations
to our Chief was a magnificent automobile with a caravan trailer. This he promptly nicknamed “The
Jamroll.” On this occasion I had the pleasure of presénting Baden-Powell with a British Columbia
native chief’s headdress. Our last evening closed with great celebrations and fireworks.

After a short tour of England and Scotland we sailed by the steamer “Letetia’’ for Canada.

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