Alec J. Spalding
Encyclopedia
Alec J. Spalding MBE
(9 August 1923 – 2 October 2007) was a prominent figure in the UK
Scout Association, serving in the 24th Glasgow (Bearsden) Scout Group for over fifty years. In recognition of his service to Scouting, he received the Silver Wolf
and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. He died of cancer at age 84.
. His studies were interrupted by his military service, but were resumed after the war. He graduated with a BSc
in 1948.
in the early 1940s and served as a radar operator in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the rest of World War II
until being demobilized
in 1946.
. He returned after military service in 1946, and took up a series of leadership positions over the course of more than fifty years, including Scout Leader (leading "A" Troop), Scouter in Charge (acting Group Scout Leader of the 24th), and District Commissioner.
After visiting Kandersteg
, Switzerland in 1947, he took a party of 36 Scouts and leaders to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre
in 1949. This commenced a tradition of biennial visits to Kandersteg by Scouts from the 24th Glasgow (Bearsden) Scout Group. Spalding also organised numerous other expeditions across Europe and North America.
Spalding's Scouting activities also included running the group's biennial jumble sale
. He was also a keen photographer, and often contributed pictures and text about scout activities to the local paper.
Spalding was also known for his enthusiastic rendition of songs like Three Blind Mice
, Sing a Song of Sixpence
, Ging Gang Goolie
, Green Grow the Rushes, O
, and The Wild Rover
at camp fires.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
(9 August 1923 – 2 October 2007) was a prominent figure in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Scout Association, serving in the 24th Glasgow (Bearsden) Scout Group for over fifty years. In recognition of his service to Scouting, he received the Silver Wolf
Silver Wolf
The Silver Wolf is the highest award made by The Scout Association "for services of the most exceptional character." It is an unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout...
and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. He died of cancer at age 84.
Education
Spalding attended Glasgow Academy, and went on to study Agriculture at the University of GlasgowUniversity of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
. His studies were interrupted by his military service, but were resumed after the war. He graduated with a BSc
BSC
BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...
in 1948.
Military service
Spalding volunteered to join the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in the early 1940s and served as a radar operator in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the rest of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
until being demobilized
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
in 1946.
Career
After graduation, Spalding worked as an agricultural economist at the West of Scotland Agricultural College from 1948 to about 1954. He went on to work at Scottish Agricultural Industries until taking early retirement in 1981.Involvement with Scouting
Spalding was a Boy Scout with the 24th Glasgow (Bearsden) Scout Group, and in 1939 he was awarded the King Scout BadgeQueen's Scout
The Queen's Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in several countries. It is awarded in realms of the Commonwealth, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where the Scouts operate under the ceremonial leadership of the monarch.The...
. He returned after military service in 1946, and took up a series of leadership positions over the course of more than fifty years, including Scout Leader (leading "A" Troop), Scouter in Charge (acting Group Scout Leader of the 24th), and District Commissioner.
After visiting Kandersteg
Kandersteg
Kandersteg is a municipality in the Frutigen-Niedersimmental administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is located along the valley of the River Kander, west of the Jungfrau massif. It is noted for its spectacular mountain scenery and sylvan alpine landscapes. Tourism is a...
, Switzerland in 1947, he took a party of 36 Scouts and leaders to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre
Kandersteg International Scout Centre
Kandersteg International Scout Centre is an international Scout centre in Kandersteg, Switzerland. The centre provides lodges, chalets and campsites covering 17 hectares of land. It is open to Scouts year round, as well as to non-Scouts for most of the year...
in 1949. This commenced a tradition of biennial visits to Kandersteg by Scouts from the 24th Glasgow (Bearsden) Scout Group. Spalding also organised numerous other expeditions across Europe and North America.
Spalding's Scouting activities also included running the group's biennial jumble sale
Jumble sale
A jumble sale or rummage sale is an event at which second hand goods are sold, usually by an institution such as a local Scout group or church, as a fundraising or charitable effort...
. He was also a keen photographer, and often contributed pictures and text about scout activities to the local paper.
Spalding was also known for his enthusiastic rendition of songs like Three Blind Mice
Three Blind Mice
Three Blind Mice is an English nursery rhyme and musical round. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 3753.-Lyrics:The modern words are:-Variations and uses:Amateur music composer Thomas Oliphant noted in 1843 that:...
, Sing a Song of Sixpence
Sing a Song of Sixpence
Sing a Song of Sixpence is a well-known English nursery rhyme, perhaps originating in the 18th century. It is also listed in the Roud folk song index as number 13191.-Lyrics:...
, Ging Gang Goolie
Ging Gang Goolie
Ging Gang Goolie or Ging Gang Gooli is a gibberish scouting song, written by Robert Baden-Powell during the 1st World Scout Jamboree. It is popular among the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.-Origin:...
, Green Grow the Rushes, O
Green Grow the Rushes, O
Green Grow The Rushes, Ho , is a folk song popular across the English-speaking world. It is sometimes sung as a Christmas carol...
, and The Wild Rover
The Wild Rover
The Wild Rover is a popular folk song whose origins are contested.According to Professor T. M. Devine in his book The Scottish Nation 1700 - 2000 the song was written as a temperance song. The song is found printed in a book, The American Songster, printed in the USA by W.A...
at camp fires.
List of works
- The 24th 1908–1988: a history of the 24th Glasgow (Bearsden) Scout Group, May 1988, ISBN 0-9513439-0-4
- Activities and Expeditions for Youth Groups, 2007
- Games and Activities for Scouts, 1985 (reprinted 1996), ISBN 0-85174-502-4