Qrendi Scout Group - The Former Group

The first group of scouts was formed at Qrendi on the 16th March 1932, a dream come true for many of the local inhabitants with the group consisting of a small nucleus of young Qrendi boys. The times were hard and like many other local organizations, this small group had teething problems and folded up a short while later.

GROUP FORMATION
GRAND DISPLAY AT KRENDI
1ST. SUNDAY MAY 1934 - (6th May 1934)

The Albatross district, then known as Southern was invited by Island Commissioner Colonel Worrall to hold a display for propaganda purpose at Qrendi, on the first Sunday in May 1934. The Following groups were present: Zejtun and Gudja. Zejtun Group Band also attended to play during the show. On arriving at the village, the two scout groups began the march past proceeded by the band.

On reaching the main square a number of villagers were waiting, a space was provided and the scouts stood at ease waiting the arrival of the Island Commissioner.

When the Island commissioner arrived, he inspected the troop and the pack. At his biding the display began. Gudja did a nice physical drill, while Zejtun did some first Aid and tent pitching.

Nice music was played by the band. When the display ended the Island Commissioner made a fine speech urging the Qrendi boys to become scouts telling them about all the privileges they would enjoy. His words were translated to Maltese by Victor Vella, the Hon. Secretary of the Association. The Vice Curate Rev. Father Elia Spiteri, the School Head master Philip Zammit and Mr. Ramsley (Inspector of Police) and Mr. Joseph Mary Borg (Police Quarter Master) were present.

A Committee was formed from amongst them, a temporary Scout Master was found in young John Vella and the Qrendi Troop was formed on the same day as some of the boys instantly gave their names to become scouts.

Mr. Ramsley stated that he had stopped forming his boy’s brigade in order that the boys may become scouts. At 11.00a.m, the National Anthem was play by the band and sung by the scouts and thus formation of a new scout group was initiated.

The Qrendi Group was to form part of the Southern District.

The Committee was formed by these gentlemen: -

The Very Rev. Elias Spiteri (G.P.)
The Rev. Father Henry Mahoney (G. Chaplin)
The Headmaster Philip Zammit (Hon. Secretary)
Joseph Mary Borg (Hon. Treasurer)
Mr. Ramsley and Mr. A Magro (Members)
Mr. John Vella (Scout Master).

The group: -
Scout Master John Vella.
Patrol Master Agostino Magro and Louis Pace
Scouts Paul Mifsud, Joseph Pace, Philip Buhagiar, Raymond Buhagiar, John Spiteri, Joseph Ellul, Michael Farrugia and Saviour Cassar.

At the end of September Louis Galea arrived from England and the day after, Mr. Ramsley and Mr. J.M. Borg and Scout Master J. Vella went to visit him asking if he wished to join the scouts as Group Scout master, receiving a favorable reply

On the 6th June 1935, Luigi Galea was officially appointed Group Scout Master and presented with Warrant number Mt 0348, whilst on the 7th March 1935, John Vella was simultaneously appointed Scoutmaster and presented with Warrant Mt 0249. (Unfortunately John Vella served only for sixteen months).

In November 6th. 1935 Scout Master John Vella sent his resignation, Group Scout master Louis Galea passed it over to Cdr.. K.L. Campbell, District Commissioner (Southern District). D.C. also informed Island Commissioner Col. Percy Worrall and the group’s responsibility was handed over to G.SM. Louis Galea to lead the Qrendi Scout Group.

Extract from the Group’s Diary
Made available to the Qrendi Scout Group by Edward Galea
Son of the Late Qrendi G.S.M. Luigi Galea

The Group was officially registered as GROUP REG. 47 at Island Headquarters on the 1st April 1935.

Attending the second adult leadership course or as it is better known, the Wood Badge course, in 1950, Galea was presented with his Wood Badge warrant by the Chief Scout and Governor of Malta His Excellency Sir Gerald Creasy, on the 24th August 1950. The Wood Badge warrant is considered as the highest recognition in adult leadership training within the Scout Movement.

The Qrendi Scout Master Luigi Galea represented his group during the visit to Malta of Lord Rowallan, Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire, accompanied by Mr. F.H.J. Dahl, Traveling Commissioner, who had arrived in Malta by air from Rome on a four-day visit to the scouts of Malta and Gozo.

On the 26th February 1950, His Excellency Sir Gerald Creasy decorated Luigi Galea with the Long Service medal in recognition of thirty years service to the movement and in recognition for his work in aid of the younger generation.

During the thirty odd years that Scouting was practiced in Qrendi, the Qrendi group managed, through hard work and sheer determination, to attain a high level of scouting. The group was highly respected on local and national levels as is evident by the high number of dignitaries that visited this small but humble Scout group.

The group toured with the Mediterranean Naval fleet in 1951 and 1954 as part of their summer cruise, participated in the coronation parade in 1953 and most important met their founder and Chief Scout of the world, Lord Robert Baden Powell of Gilwell during his Malta visit during 1934.

The group had as its patron ship, H.M.S. CHIVALROUS (R 21), a C Class destroyer launched on 22nd June 1945. The group visited and sailed aboard this destroyer on numerous occasions until the vessel was finally sold to the Royal Pakistan Navy in 1954, renamed P.N.S TAIMUR (D 166).

Camping and trips to the sea were the order of the day and the group enjoyed an active and healthy adventurous scouting outdoor life, featuring many a time in the local press.

The “Times of Malta” reported in July 1953

Qrendi Group under Canvas

Qrendi Group make the best out of summer and the camping season. Only recently they organised their first weekend camp under canvas when a party of 28 led by Mr. L. Galea G.S.M. camped at Zonqor Point.

It was a happy crowd that left headquarters and slowly made their way to the site. They proceeded to Marsacala and soon settled down to prepare the site. They quickly put everything in order, tents were pitched, the flag pole erected, sanitary facilities provided and all set out to make themselves comfortable.

On Saturday afternoon they had their first visitor, Mr Iles, D.C. Kottonera, who inspected the scouts and toured the camp.

Sunday Activities

Sunday began with physical training and an hour later the scouts sat to a hearty breakfast before they went with Mr. Brincat the scoutmaster to the church of St. Ann for mass. On their return, scouts were given duties and these over, all patrols went for a dip in the cool water of the bay.

Mr. C. Zahra D.C. Albatross made a surprise visit during the morning and spent some time with the boys. During the afternoon Mr. Attard G.S.M. Zejtun called and gave the boys instructions in swimming and cooking.

Qrendi Scouts receive their colours

The Troop flag being presented to the Qrendi Scouts by Island Commissioner, Captain E.J.F. Price in the presence of the Qrendi Group Scout Master, Luigi Galea

On July 2 1952, the Qrendi Scout Group were presented with their colours at a ceremony that saw high ranking dignitaries from both the Scout association and the British services in Malta turned up at Qrendi to participate in this significant ceremony.

Dr. Joseph Cassar, patron of Qrendi Group, presented the Pack flag to Scoutmaster P. Axiaq at a ceremony in St. Mary’s Square commemorating the Group’s eighteenth anniversary, witnessed by Scoutmaster E. Attard of Zejtun Group. The Troop flag was presented by Captain E.J.F. Price, the Union flag by Fr. J.W. Orr, the Maltese flag by Col. J.V. Abela, and the flag of St. George by Commander C.W. Gibbs. The Group’s Chaplin Father H. Mahoney later blessed the Qrendi Colours. The Qrendi Group in St. Mary’s Square later presented a scouting display.

Unfortunately history repeats itself and the Qrendi Scout Group once again became dormant in November 1956. Despite all this, Group Scout Master himself remained active within the association and until the 23rd April 1964, continuing to represent the Qrendi Scout Group. The Qrendi Scout Group finally folded up in 1965.

Luigi Galea could also easily considered as one of the pioneer members of the scout movement in Malta.