Donald King (DBK) was the most unforgettable character I ever met. However saying it like that might give the impression that he was a loud, colourful, larger-than-life person. But that really wasn’t his style. So why after over 50 years do I still remember him so fondly? - Let me try to explain.

Donald, or “Skipper” as he was known, was Scoutmaster of the 1st Gourock troop during the 1950s when I was a teenager. In those days there was an annual fund-raising event known as Bob-a-Job with great competition between the lads to see who could earn the most. I remember going round to hand over the “takings” at his home in Caledonia Crescent where he lived with his Mother. It was the first time I’d seen him out of uniform and he was wearing his customary grey polo-neck sweater. He greeted me warmly, congratulated me and listened carefully to my tales about the jobs which the great Gourock public had requested. I left glowing and wondering if I’d “won.”

Read more: The Most Unforgettable Character I Ever Met

We plan to expand and re-organise this section at some point (i.e. In between scout camps, troop nights, clear-ups, etc, etc )  In the meantime, please bear with us.

Various facts, stories and excerpts from the group's past are written in this article.  To navigate between pages please use the menu on the right.

The 6th Renfrew and Inverclyde were first registered on the 25th June 1909.

CDO?, that refers to Colonel Darrochs Own which is in recognition of the support over the years from the Darroch Family. The first meeting place for the Troop was the stable block of Gourock House which was owned by the Darroch Family, now used by the local art club.

“Hey Grandad, what was World War 2 like?”

“Well, Jack, I was too young to be in that war, but I can tell you about being a boy scout in the 1950s.”

“ Alright, go on then.”

Although the War had been over for six years in 1951 when I moved up from the cubs to the scouts, its after effects were still around - and that affected us. For example, some food was scarce and there was still rationing. Also the meagre equipment that the Troop owned was mostly ex-army stuff so summer camps were unheard of. At least one of our leaders fought with great gallantry in the War and others had to go away for two years and do National Service. There was a shortage of leaders and so the Troop, just like the country, took time to rebuild. 

Read more: Scouting In The 1950s