In February, 1960 Troop 45 of Randolph announced that their scoutmaster, Walter Briggs, was resigning, He had been scoutmaster of this troop for 10 years, and had the pleasure of guiding 6 scouts from recruits to the Eagle rank.
Mr. Briggs was interviewed by Wally Segap in “Forty- Fiver”, Troop 45’s newsletter, and the interview included the following recollections of his time with Troop 2.
Wally - How long have you been in the Boy Scouts Organization?
Mr. Briggs – I joined in 1921 when I was just under 13 years old, and with the exception of about four years from 1943 to 1947 I have had continuous membership
BC - Mr. Briggs details that 34 years as follows:
5 years as a Boy Scout, 4 years as ASM, 1 year on a troop committee, and about 24 years as scoutmaster
Wally - Was all that service in one troop?
Mr. Briggs - No, I joined Troop 2, East Weymouth, and was there 22 years as a scout and leader. I dropped out when the children were small, but when my oldest boy was of scout age, I joined the committee of Troop 19 in Wollaston, MA.
BC – Mr. Briggs also states that from Troop 19 Wollaston he moved to Troop 2, Boston, and then to form Troop 45 in Randolph, where he was scoutmaster for 10 years.
Wally - How has scouting changed during these years?
Mr. Briggs – First, we are dealing with boys a year younger, albeit they may be as mature as the older scouts years ago. Then the tests have become increasingly less difficult. We had the 14 mile hike, scout’s pace, wig-wag signaling, and map making. And, of course, we hiked the 3 miles to our camping spot with packs on our shoulders. Now it is too simplified and easy. An ambitious boy can pass his second-class in two weeks now. The old-time boards of review really gave the boys a reexamination of the rank, but now a board just finds if the boy passes the rank according to the book. First aid has changed more than any other test.
Wally – what was your most interesting experience in scouting?
Mr. Briggs – Well, that is like asking if one grain of sand is better than another. Probably I’ll value the time I refused to sign an Eagle application on the grounds that the boy wasn’t giving what I considered his best. After much heartache the boy abruptly changed, and turned out to be the best patrol leader of that year. Then I was glad to sign it. Most thrilling of course was to witness my own boys get the Eagle badge at the same time. Yes, I will always thrill to hear one of my patrols earn an “Excellent” rating at Camporees. Or, maybe to help present Life Saving medals to two of my scouts stood out. But then, I am easily thrilled!
A photo of Mr. Briggs in 1938 is below:
While Scoutmaster at Troop 2 Mr. Briggs guided 4 young men through the ranks to Eagle Scout.
Mr. Briggs was scoutmaster for Troop 2 from May 1930 until December 1938. He resigned as scoutmaster when he moved to Quincy.
In the December, 1938 Scout News, Mr. Pratt provides the following:
Shortly after his twelfth birthday he enrolled as a scout, and in the succeeding years advanced in rank until he attained that of Scoutmaster. Thoroughly grounded in Scout traditions, he brought to his task a deep love for his boys and a knowledge of how to govern them and inspire them to “do their best”. Moreover his subordinate officers and helpers found him a considerate and stimulating superior to work with. His successors may seek to emulate his example, but hardly hope to attain the measure of genuine public service he has rendered.
In recognition of Mr. Briggs long and faithful service, the Troop nominated him Scoutmaster Emeritus.
Mr. Pratt took over as Scoutmaster from Mr. Briggs in January 1939, and served in that role until 1974. Ninenty seven boys received the Eagle award in Troop 2 Weymouth during the years he served as Scoutmaster.
An avid camper and traveler, Mr. Pratt also camped with hundreds of boys from Troop 2 Weymouth in over 1,000 different campsites in the United States and Canada and Mexico.
He is universally regarded as instrumental in the development of leadership amongst his scouts, and under his guidance the troop continued to grow and prosper in the town.
A photo of Mr. Pratt is below, taken in the 1940's. More information on Mr. Pratt will be included in a subsequent BLOG posting.
