SOME OF MY
SCOUTING MEMORIES
Welcome back to my SCOUTOPAEDIA. Here you will find some anecdotes from my long life in Scouting which needless to say are preciously remembered. I trust that if you are mentioned in any of them you realize the impact you left on me, and for this I am forever indebted. -- Visit the other sections Thoughts, Quotes, Prayers, Campfire Openings and Closings, Crafts, Stories, etc. Please browse through and enjoy your visit. If you have any comments and suggestions, please e-mail them to me. Come visit again often, d'ya hear.

Patrol leader days.

One place we visited often was the Chapel at Il-Bahrija near Rabat. We attended many Christmas Midnight Masses there, and often went for night hikes afterwards. Of course we used to go to the local Cafe - Restaurant - Gas Station combo first where we used to be given the red carpet treatment. For some reason or other they figured that we were related to the Marquis. We were served coffee in glasses with plenty of Condensed Milk. We always had a place to sit down even when the place was full, because the villagers would give us their seats. For a view of the Chapel please click here
For some pictures at Bahrija please click here

As a patrol leader one day I took my patrol on a hike. We came across a pond with goldfish in it. The boys caught some barehanded, so we stopped, made a fire and cooked them. While we were eating them a rather irate farmer came and said that he had raised them from young and that they cost him 2s 6d. So the boys agreed it was worth it and chipped in to pay him.

One Christmas Night, we got ourselves in trouble with Patri Tumas. We had a bright idea to use his room to make some chips. Of course, the walls in Malta are not grease proof, so we splattered grease all over the wall. Besides the aroma of freshly made chips permeated into the Chapel where Patri Tumas was giving the Christmas Homily. When Mass was over he told us in his unforgettable voice .... You have not heard Mass so you have to be at the morning Mass. He was so kind he never complained about our ruining his walls.

Wallaceburg Days.

[The following article is from the Wallaceburg News of January 4, 1968, and appeared on the front page under the heading WE SALUTE, by Jean Goldhawk]

In 1957, the Maltese name Vella-Zarb had an unfamiliar ring to Canadian ears. Now, ten years later, the name of Thomas Vella-Zarb is well known to Wallaceburg residents as chief pharmacist at Sydenham District Hospital, who takes a very real interest in community youth work, especially with Scouts.

Though he has for the past two years been Residential Chairman of the Red Shield Campaign for the Salvation Army, organizing the annual house-to-house fund drive, and represents the Separate School Board on the Wallaceburg Public Library Board and acts on the building committee, Mr. Vella-Zarb admits that his deepest interest is in his work with Scouts.

Mr. Vella-Zarb started in Scouts as a boy in Malta, twenty-five years ago, rising through the ranks from cubs and scouts to patrol leader. assistant Scout Master. Leader of Senior Scouts, Cub Master, Scout Master, Rover Leader and Sea Scouts.

At present he is District Rover Leader and District Venturer Co-ordinator for the area including Sombra, Port Lambton, Walpole Island, Tupperville and Wallaceburg.

He is the holder of the Wood Badge, the higest adult training, in Cubs. Scouts And Rovers. As advisor to the Venturers, Mr. Vella-Zarb was instrumental in obtaining the Bell Telephone Course on Defensive Driving for the young adult. "The boys want to know more than how to tie a knot or hoist a flag", the leader said. "They want something real, something practical". He indicated that the next course offered will be either on chemistry or electronics. "The boys will decide which one they prefer". Qualified instructors will then be in charge of the proggramme of education.

The real satisfaction of being a leader in scouting comes when the boys do well when they become adults. "One of the lads that was in my patrol in Malta is now a successful recording artist with the C.B.C," Mr. Vella-Zarb said.

On two ocaasions he has been asked to be the confirmation sponsor of boys under his guidance.

Camping, all year round, is recreation for the District Leader. "We once camped out when it was 25 degrees below zero.

Most of the 125 boys present put up tents, but one group built an igloo, and they were the warmest of the lot." This adventure took place at Silent Valley: "it was not so silent while we were there", he grinned.

Tom Vella-Zarb and wife Joan have four children. David 9. Pierre. 8. and Alex. 7, All attend Our Lady of Help school. Michael is three. Tom obtained his B.Pharm. degree from the Royal University of Malta in 1962, and has been at Sydenham District Hospital for three and a half years. "My family and I like Wallaceburg," he said "It has the facilities of a city and the convenience of a small town. The people are friendly.

Mr Vella-Zarb said that the Maltese dishes he misses most in Canada are "timpani", macaroni with meat sauce baked in pastry, and "ricotta", cottage cheese placed in pastry, boiled and served with sauces and cheese.

Rovering Days.

When "co-ed scouting" was being introduced way back in the sixties, I was on one of the provincial fact finding team. We ended up recommending that co-ed be tried with Rovers. A fellow skipper, Bob Wood, and I decided to open our Crew to females. We had a response and we sent out our registration forms, not holding anything back and we were in. The 6th Chatham "Golden Arrow" Crew was born. At the same time, there was a crew in a nearby city who sent their registrations in, using only initials to “cover up” the girls. Their application was rejected. Our concern was that the crew would become sissied. Our concerns proved to be wrong. The only thing that was different was that the “swear box” did not fill up as before, so we had to dig in other funds for coffee and doughnuts after the meetings. Each year, at election time, Bob and I would leave the den while the crew had the elections and chose their skippers. Each time they still wanted us as their skippers - they did not want any female skippers. Our crew flourished for several years. At one time, when Cable TV started in our community, we had a weekly programme, Scouting News. The Rovers looked after it, giving me and Skipper Bob jobs each week, such as manning the cameras, getting hold of some one to be interviewed, etc. [Bob and I were never on the screen!!!]

One Memorable Trip was described "poetically" by Skipper Al
A Trip to Algonquin - by Albert Henry, Port Lambton Skipper.

We started one Friday just before dark
To go camping in Algonquin Park.
With three crews attending Each car full of Rovers.
We turned our car Northward and Northward we drove'er
The Crew from Carunna laid out the trail.
Next was Port Lambton with the 'burg at the tail.
At our destination we arrived about three
And we were all tired as tired could be.
We slept where we could, all over the place
In cars, on the hillside, on our backs, on our face.
We awoke about five to be first in line,
But the store didn't open till round about nine.
We got our canoes and paddles of course,
And away we all went and we worked like a horse.
The skipper of Corunna called Doug was Our Guide.
He had a blue kayak with his gear all inside.
As Port Lambton skipper I stayed close to Doug
You couldn't help liking that Corunna lug.
The third crew that came from the Wallaceburg Parts
Were led by a man called Tom Vella-Zarb.
Our flotilla consisted from front to the back
Of just ten canoes and three kayaks.
We hadn't gone far when the shore we were seeking
Adrian's kayak began seriously leaking.
High on an island back in the trees
We hid the kayak where noone could see
Then sharing his load we started again
Across the lake and around the bend.
We paddled a head wind, the waters were choppy
And some inexperienced found canoeing quite sloppy.
We paddled and paddled till long about four
We all were so tired we headed for shore
We picked out a clearing, tied our craft up tight
And decided that here we would all spend the night.
After eating our super and pitching our tents
Some took their canoes and exploring went.
Things began happening, as things often do,
For two lost their balance and fell out of their canoes.
Into the waters they went with a splash
Up to the top they came with a gasp.
"Oh stay there a minute", we all said to one,
And away for our cameras we went on the run.
He didn't stay long; back on shore we were told,
"Nuts to you guys, this water is cold!"
Our camping was casual, haphazard in scope,
With tent pegs, and tent poles and miles of rope,
The grandest assortment of shelters were tried.
With plastic sheets, tents, and canoes on their sides.
Our motto for mealtime, we found hard to eat.
Whatever you cooked brother, you had to eat.
The darkness descended - it came all too soon
And we went to sleep to the laugh of the loon.
The next day was calm, like a pond was the lake.
So into our canoes for a trip we did take,
We paddled our canoes o'er the lake we went slipping.
When we stopped for a rest some went skinny dipping.
The braver ones took to the water quite bare.
The timid ones got wet in their underwear.
We returned to the camp and our supper we ate
Our dishes were done about half past eight.
Then much of our planning had to be made
For the Wallaceburg camp we were going to raid.
We paddled so silently, hushed was each dip,
Our faces were set for our dark midnight trip
As silent as shadows we slipped to their docks
Then suddenly we were bombarded with rocks.
With an exchange of greetings we returned to our base.
We had been repelled and we felt disgraced.
But some more ambitious returned about two
And stealthily made off with a Wallaceburg canoe.
Then in the morning Tom came to our shore
He said "We're in trouble, your help we implore,
A canoe is found missing, it's stolen or lost,
And this lake's cold waters still have to crossed."
"This is very strange" I replied to our guest,
And I secretly smiled, knowing, "he who laughs best"
I explained, "upon rising I found within reach,
One extra canoe lying there on our beach."
Soon after we ate and broke camp for good
Cleaned up our camp-site the way that we should
We paddled three hours then headed for shore
Returned our canoes to the old Portage Store.
We hurried away till suddenly, Wham:
There we were stuck in a big traffic jam.
We sweated it out until finally cleared.
But the time that we lost was as bad as we feared
It cost us three hours to wait there in line
And one of our drivers almost got a fine.
'Twas late in the morning, about two was the hour
When I arrived home and had a hot shower
Climbed into my bed, to my wife said good night
Content that our journey had turned out alright
But when it's all over and past events you renew
Great are the adventures to those who canoe.

My days as a Scouter

Scout Apple Day in Canada is one of the annual activities. This picture was one of the reminder notes issued to Scouters in the early 60's.

Wood Badge

I hold the beads and parchments in five sections which apart from paid staff is not achieved by too many scouters. My first course was the Second Wood Badge Course held in Malta. I did my first part, and then attended the second part. At the end I received a letter from the DCC, Col J.V. Abela telling me that although I qualified, I was underage, at the time I was only 19, and he referred the matter to the UK officials. The reply was to take the course again when I was of age.

At one of the weekends (in Malta), it was my turn to cook for my patrol. I was cooking an octopus stew. My young brother came to visit. One of the scouters commented that the stew looked black. This is quite normal, but I answered him that I had forgotten my ladle and used a stick from the fire. He said to count him out, that was a relief so I invited my brother for dinner with us.

At another weekend in Blue Springs we had been given an STA to set up an "emergency situation" and were to give the designated alarm when we were ready. Our crew rigged up an elaborate situation, ... a person on the roof of a hut had an electric cable fall down on him ... One of our guys sounded the alarm. Again I was the cook, this time cooking a chicken on a spit. In the excitement, I forgot about the chicken and ran towards the bell where the alarm was sounded. The exercise went excellently ... however the chicken was burnt to a crisp.

One thing I loved doing is collecting signatures of the scouters on courses I attended and then my mother and my late wife would embroider them for me. Here are some of these mementos:

On my Crew Wood Badge, on one of the weekends when our cook went to get the supplies from the Quarter Master, he was given one half of a loaf of bread, half a dozen eggs, .... in short it was a very meagre ration for six hungry adults. The reason was that the larder was ransacked by a raccoon. The QM had to go to town to replenish the supplies. At one of the morning sessions we spied the "fat thief" strolling along in the sun!


Scoutmaster days.

A fellow scouter in Malta kicked out a German scout [Herbert Lenicker] who was irritating him by wiping his shoes on a Union Jack. I thought it over and invited this boy to join my troop. I took him aside and told him that I would purchase a Swastika flag and anytime he played his insullting trick again I would use the Swastika to clean my shoes. I found out he resented to pledge loyalty to the Queen, etc. So I modified the Investiture and had him pledge, I promise to do my duty to God aand to the Country which I serve. Later on, I had to collect parental consent from the boys before taking them to camp. I remember clearly this scout’s parent stated, I will let my son, Herbert to go swimming as long as he is in the company of a leader. Swimming time came and I told the boys that I was going to swim across the bay and those who could make it were welcome to accompany me. Herbert said, "scouter I cannot swim but if you let me hold on to your shouler I want to come". I allowed him and about half way he let go of my shoulder and he swam by himself. He grew up to become a doctor and the last time I heard he was the chief of staff of one of the old people’s homes.

I used to go to Lansing, Michigan often with my troop, and later with my Crew. At one of the International camporees, I was marking the semaphore event. I came upon a patrol who were all standing or squatting in the proper way. Impeccable. They started to send the message and with a staright face, the reader was shouting out, one letter at a time, for the “scribe” to jot down,

W-E-A-R-E-T-E-N-D-E-R-F-O-O-T-A-N-D-D-O-N-T-K-N-O-W-S-E-M-A-P-H-O-R- E

I grinned and gave them a passing mark for effort, and for their ingenuity.

Scoutmaster days in Windsor

As a scouter in Windsor, I had the St Alphonsus Scout Troop. I tried to make our meetings exciting and used to start on time and then we would take off to some predetermined event - not known to the boys. One day the District Commissioner phoned me at work and said that he tried to visit several times but the meeting place was empty and wondered if we had changed the meeting day. I told him that we still met on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. but we do not stay at the meeting place for too long. He came visiting the next week just as we were leaving for our mystery trip. He was stunned and surprised and commended me for my ingenuity.

On another occasion I was visiting the Radio Station on business. I had intended to try and schedule a tour of the station for the boys. The chap asked me about whether the drug ad was okayed by the Food and Drug ..... I had it in my brief case but before I gave him the answer I asked him for a tour ..... He replied that tours were suspended .... so I played my card and bargained ..... he scheduled a tour for the troop and I stamped the okay on the ad.

One winter there were a series of sessions to prepare the boys and leaders for a huge Winter camp. We had sessions on making snow shoes, surviving in the cold, etc. Finally the big day for OPERATION IRONHORSE arrived. On a Thursday morning at work I remembered that I had forgotten to register myself. I phoned the HQ and was reminded that the colaregistrations closed on the previous Thursday .... so I said that both my assistant, John E Scarr and myself want to be on .... surely there must be space on the train .... yes, but the train is met by buses which finish the trip ..... could we drive ourselves over there ..... after some persuasion we were officially registered. We were told that the train left at 6 and it would leave on time. I got hold of John who was my chauffeur. He picked me up from work and while I had a bite to eat he packed my haversack. We then went to his house and while he had a bite to eat I packed his haversack. We proceeded to the train station just as the conductor was yelling .. All aboard. We made it by a hair. We were givenO a list of boys to check at every stop, and a schedule of duties ..... which included making hot chocolate and serving fried cakes on one evening. We arrived at SILENT VALLEY and the fun began. The boys took to tobogganing even before they set up their bedding!!! When the time for the hot chocolate came John and I discovered that the chocolate powder was frozen solid ... so we thawed it out to make the chocolate drink ... we managed to make a very creamy hot sweet drink and the kids came back for seconds and more. It was the talk of the camp.

There were many memories at that camp - not the least of which is the kid who broke a leg .... the doctor who had accomanied the contingent took one look at the kid and said, oh it is you again! Do you make it a habit of breaking something when at camp? He simply smiled and when the ambulance came, it took six of us carrying the stretcher up the hill that was icy due to the all night tobogganing that had taken place.

At an international camporee in Wallaceburg, where we had patrols from Lansing, Detroit, Chatham, Sarnia and of course Wallaceburg, I was the Camp Chief. That weekend my parents were leaving and I wanted to see them off. So I discussed it with my assistant and all was ok. Meanwhile, I thought of the emergency contingency plan and thought to combine my being away with an emergency. I discussed it with my assistant and with the SJAB man who was on duty throughout the camporee. The plan was that when I returned to camp, late at night, or should I say in the wee hours of the morning, I would inform the SJAB man and drive my car into a ditch. All was set and the emergency alarm was sounded. My assistant who was in charge annnounceed that scouter Tom had not returned and a search party was organized. When my car was found with me slouching on the steering wheel, I could hear all their conversations. I was then lifted and placed in the Ambulance to be taken to Hospital. The bright light shining as I was placed on the stretcher and into the vehicle nearly made me blink and give the game away. When everyone was back in bed, I quietly was taken to my bed. Next morning at flag break I commended them all for the way they handled themselves. There were a couple of dissenting voices, but I felt it was a very productive exercise.

I was guest speaker at various scout banquets during BP celebrations. Some of these took me way out of my area. One day I was asked to speak at the Salvation Army Group in Strathroy. I still treasure the "trophy" their Chaplain, Major H. G. Peckford presented me.


When I was Skipper for the Thamesville Rover Crew, we attended the Brotherhood Rover Moor near Oshawa. The crest was a Monk, or Brother, wearing a Hood. The camp was divided into traditional guys section and co-ed section. My crew at the time was a traditional one. As with similar events there were numerous memorable stories ... Our crew won first prize in the Orienteering Event

Rover Harvey McEachern brought his stilts and walked with them around the camp ... unfortunately he tripped and fell on to a fire pit and had to go to the emergency. He was told not to get his legs wet ... you cannot keep a man down ... the next day he was right down there in the canoe enjoying himself with all of us.