Rushden Echo, 29th January 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins
Boy Scouts at Rushden Honour Their Scoutmaster
Mr F E Preston Leaves for Military Training
Eight Scouts Wanted – To Defend the East Coast
The Rushden Troop of Boy Scouts assembled at the M.R. Station on Tuesday morning to say farewell to Mr F E Preston, for six years the Scoutmaster of the troop, who has enlisted in the Sportsman’s Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers and who left on Tuesday morning for military training. The troop, headed by their buglers and drummers, marched from the headquarters in Station-road. They stood at attention on the platform and, as the train moved away, to the accompaniment of the band, they stood at general salute, following which they gave three hearty cheers for Mr Preston.
A farewell gathering of the troop was held on Monday evening at the headquarters, Mr Preston being supported by Ald. G Miller, J.P., Mr L Perkins, B.Sc., Mr C Cross, C.C., Mr Cox, and Mr Dodge (assistant scoutmaster).
Mr Preston said that for six years he had taken a deep interest in the movement, and now he had taken upon himself to go into the Army to try and do his duty to his country. (Cheers) It was rather heartbreaking to leave the troop, because he had tried to do his best to get the boys together, to bring them out as men, and to keep them up to a high standard. Some of the old Scouts had gone to the war—some had been killed and others wounded. He had had letters from some of them, saying how useful the Scout experience had been to them. It was shown that the old Scout could be used quicker than other recruits. Though he was leaving Rushden, he hoped the troop would keep together. Another Scoutmaster had not yet been appointed, but there was a good assistant. (Cheers) The troop had never yet been disgraced, and he hoped the lads would keep straight and honest and carry out Scout law from No. 1 to No. 10. Mr Cross, Mr Perkins, Mr Clipson, Mr Miller, Mr Cox, and others had promised to see the thing through. (Applause) The Scouts had done good work in Rushden in the past, and it would be useful work still. At a time like the present they must do their best for their country. (Applause)
Speeches appreciative of the work of Mr Preston, and the troop were given by Ald. Miller, Mr Cross, and Mr Perkins, the latter stating that Mr Preston had not waited to be forced before joining the Army. (Applause) After training, Mr Preston would have to go to France or Belgium, “and,” added Mr Perkins, “afterwards, I hope, to Berlin.” (Cheers)
Assistant S.M. Dodge, on behalf of the boys and their parents, presented Mr Preston with a handsome dressing case and smokers’ outfit, as a small token of their gratitude to him for his six years’ work for the troop. Mr Cox presented Mr preston with a shaving mirror, and expressed the hope that Mr Preston would come back safely.
On the initiative of Ald. Miller, loud cheers were given for Mr Preston, and the boys wished him health, strength, success, and a safe return.
Mr Preston expressed his deep thanks to the lads for their handsome presents. He read a letter which he had received from Mrs Browning, who wrote: Dear Mr Preston,—I must send a line to congratulate you on having enlisted. It is just splendid of you, and quite the right thing to do. I must thank you and all the boys for the very kind letter you sent on my dear husband’s sudden death. It gave me great pleasure pleasure in all my bitter grief, to see the boys standing round near Mr Browning’s last resting place.”
Mr Preston added that some of the Rushden Scouts had been asked to take part in the defence of the East Coast, and eight of the lads were willing to go.
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