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The Jamboree Book, 1920
1st World Jamboree, Olympia, England

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A Group Composed of All the Nations Represented at the Jamboree
From: The Jamboree Book, 1920, Boy Scout Association

Other Foreign Contingents.

BELGIUM. Over 200 Scouts from Belgium attended, representing the two Associations in that country; the B.P. Belgian Boy Scouts being under the personal command of their revered Chief Scout, Monsieur Jean Corbisier, who founded them, and the. Boy Scouts de Belgique under the command of Monsieur Lutens, their Chief Commissioner in Brussels. In addition to the official delegations at Olympia a large number of Belgian Scouts came to England to witness the jamboree, and were in Camp at Richmond, where many of them renewed old acquaintances made during the War. Great and rapid progress has been made ‘by the Scout movement in Belgium since the conclusion of peace.

CHILE. The Chilean Boy Scouts appointed Mr. de la Bavra, Consul of Chile at Glasgow, to be their official delegate, and a party of 12 Chilean Boy Scouts undertook the long journey from Chile to England in order to be present and take part. The Chilean Boy Scouts were one of the first to be formed after those of Great Britain, and it was a particular pleasure to welcome their representatives from so far-off a country.

CHINA. The Chinese Boy Scouts Association appointed M. Tong, of the Chinese Legation, as their official delegate, and a party of 10 Chinese Boy Scouts under Mr. Fung, duly represented their country. The Scout movement is making remarkable strides amongst the Chinese boys, especially in the schools and colleges.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA. The newly-formed Republic of Czechoslovakia was ably represented by a party of their sturdy Scouts under the personal command of their Chief Scout, Dr. Svojsik. They met with a very hearty reception, and their singing, with mandoline accompaniment, was one of the many attractions of Olympia after Lights Out each evening.

DENMARK. Unfortunately, the Chief Scout of Denmark, Captain C. Lembcke, was unable to come to England at the time of the jamboree, but he sent a very fine body of 60 representative Danish Scouts under Mr. Carstensen. A party of Danish Rovers accompanied them, and erected an admirable wig-wam as one of the side-shows. The Danish Scouts proved their worth by winning two of the International Competitions, the Tug-of-War, for which they gained the handsome Challenge Cup given by the Daily Mirror, and the Trek-Cart Obstacle Race. Mr. Christian Holm, President of the Committee of the Danish Scouts, was present throughout the week.

ESTONIA. Ten scouts from the newly freed State of Estonia endured a very rough sea-passage, under the command of Mr. Rantsmann, in order to represent their country and met with a cordial welcome from all.

FRANCE. One hundred and twenty-five French Scouts represented France, drawn from the "Eclaireurs de France," under Mr. de Riboulet, the "Eclaireurs Unionistes de France," under M. Jean Beigbeder, their Chief Commissioner, and the "Association Francaise des Boy Scouts," under M. de Villeneuve. Great efforts are being made at the present time towards the reconstruction of Scout Troops in the devastated areas of France, and a strong Committee, on which all the different associations are represented, has been formed with that end in view.

GREECE. Under their beloved Chief, Captain Melas, a party of 45 Greek Scouts took part in the festival, and gave several very attractive exhibitions of national pastimes, sports and dances in the Arena, all given in Greek national costume. The movement in Greece has the active support of M. Venizelos, and is making rapid progress. The whole of the international delegations are greatly indebted to Captain Melas, who undertook the Organisation of the "Procession of the Nations" every day, and carried it through so successfully.

ITALY. A party of 18 Scouts, under the personal command of Count di Carpegna, Chief Scout of the Italian Catholic Scouts, and a smaller party of four Scouts, under Signor Ratti, of the Italian National Scouts, duly represented their country. The Italian Catholic Scouts presented a very beautiful piece of filigree work to the Chief Scout and Lady Baden-Powell.

JAPAN. Owing to difficulties of transport it was not possible for Japan to send a party of Scouts to England, but they delegated Mr. Koshiba and Mr. Shimoda as their official representatives, both being Commissioners in Japan, and the Scouts were represented in the "Procession of the Nations" by Patrol Leader Shin Suzuki, from Yokohama.

LUXEMBOURG. One hundred and ten Scouts from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg journeyed to England, the Federation of Scouts of Luxembourg being under the Command of Monsieur Collart, and the Luxembourg Catholic Scouts under Monsieur Koener.

NETHERLANDS. The Dutch Boy Scouts had the distinction of sending the largest delegation to England, consisting of over 400 Scouts. This was greatly due to the energy and enthusiasm of their President, M. de Groot van Embden, who made no fewer than eight preliminary journeys to England to make the necessary arrangements Baron van Pallandt, the Dutch International Commissioner, accompanied the official delegation.

NORWAY. Under the command of Mr. Brekke, a fine contingent Of 50 Norwegian Scouts represented Norway, and all regretted that illness prevented their Chief Scout, M. Dono, from accompanying them. The Scandinavian Scouts proved a very fine body, and earned many approving comments. The Norwegian Scouts presented to the Chief Scout a handsome Norwegian flag.

POLAND. Fifty Polish Scouts, under their Chief Scout, Dr. Strumillo, had accepted the invitation, but on the opening day the following telegram was received from him: "Polish Scouts unable to attend jamboree helping to save civilisation."

This message was read to a meeting of all the Chiefs of Delegations, and at their request a united message of sympathy and good wishes was returned. One little Polish Wolf Cub, however, was found in London, who proudly represented his country.

PORTUGAL. Ten Portuguese Scouts, under the command of M. Lima Basto, valiantly upheld the honour of their country. They were accompanied by M. Moreton, their Chief Commissioner, who presented a very artistic address to the Chief Scout.

ROUMANIA. Thanks to the interest of Her Majesty the Queen of Roumania, a contingent Of 70 Roumanian Scouts travelled for 26 days to attend. They were under the command of M. Murgoci and M. Murgur, and gave a delightful display of Roumanian dances, etc., in national costume. The Roumanian Scouts also had a stall on which they exhibited some most beautiful wood carving and embroidery which was a centre of attraction every day. They presented to the Chief Scout and the International Commissioner a Vase and Staff, respectively, beautifully carved.

SERBIA. Owing to difficulties of transport, the Serbian Scouts who had intended journeying from Belgrade were unable to come, and their Chief Scout, Major Popovitch, therefore, sent 20 Serbian Scouts from the Serbian Hostel at Faversharn to represent their country. The sturdy boys met with a very hearty reception.

SIAM. In Siam the Scout movement is, going rapidly ahead under the guidance of His Majesty the King of Siam. The movement is tinder the control of the Siamese Board of Education, who delegated four Scouts from Bangkok to represent their! Organisation.

SPAIN. Fifty Spanish Scouts, under their Secretary-General, Senor Trucharte, attended for the week. As is well known, His Majesty the King of Spain takes an active personal interest in the Scout movement, and himself wears Scout uniform. During the jamboree His Majesty sent a signed portrait of himself.

SWEDEN. None will deny that from the point of view of physical development and discipline the magnificent contingent of 50 Swedish Scouts were second to none. They were under the personal command of their Chief Scout, Major Ebbe Lieberath, who was assisted by Captain Stol. Wherever they went the Swedish Scouts earned golden opinions, and their Chief is greatly to be congratulated on his fine body of boys. The Swedish Scouts presented to the Chief Scout a handsome Swedish flag.

SWITZERLAND. The contingent of 50 Swiss Scouts who attended at Olympia were under the command of their Chief, Monsieur Bonstetten, assisted by Monsieur Borel, and were largely drawn from the district of Geneva, where scouting appears to be particularly flourishing. They took second place to Denmark in the International Tug of War.


		Boy Scout Association The Jamboree Book, 1920 Part One

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