The year was 1966.
There were 7 of us that went up at the St George’s Day Rally that year, the largest contingent of Queen’s Scouts from one single Group. It was also a resounding come-back after a 5 year drought for 11th Kln.
Not until X’mas Group camp late ’65 were the seven of us able to gather around, and over strong tea after campfire finally managed to have a sit-down chat. Only then did we realize that most of us have completed the requirements and waiting for district & HQ processing, the rest were a hair from it. That night, the realization that the pursuit was at last over, and that we may well be making history, put us into a giddiness that kept us from falling asleep, tired as we were.
On April 24, George Law (DC Yaumatei, himself a 11th QS) visited us on the field and said 4 words “Well done, thank you”, exact same words Father C said back in February. They probably didn’t know how much that meant to us boys.
We checked each other for uniform correctness, and went over to the form-up. Sir David Trench actually went through all three ranks and handed out certificates to each.
Salute, left hand shake, right hand receive…and just like that, 2 years+ of blood and sweat affirmed.
Right turn, QSs forward, march off, and it was done. That was my first milestone. I was barely 17.
Fr Cunningham was standing by the Group Colour, waiting for us to return. I remembered side-glancing smilingly at 大享, took a breath, with chests up, we marched purposefully up to the White & Blue, overwhelmed by feelings of elation, pride and satisfaction.
With that memory still intact, exactly fifty years have elapsed.
Henry, Kenneth, 柴記, 儍妹, S³, I hope you’re all still well.
(大享 passed away same year in July)
