Key Milestones
The First Hong Kong Scout Group is an integral part of St. Joseph’s College. We have earned a strong reputation in the scouting community due to our outstanding achievements and well-organized activities. Our members are consistently well-trained and well-prepared. As we transcend our 110 years of history, let us take a moment to reflect on the past and revisit some of the key milestones that have shaped our legacy.
1913⚜
Formation of the College Troop
20ᵗʰ September 1913
The “College Troop” was formed on the 20th of September. On 26th November, Lord Baden Powell wrote a personal letter to the Scoutmaster of the First Hong Kong Group, Major F.J. Bowen, congratulating the troop on its formation and wishing it every success. Within a short time, the troop had more than 100 members. About the same time, the ‘Old Boys’ of the College formed a senior scout troop under the name of St. Joseph’s Body Guard.
1910s
Pioneering Scouting: Launch of “Our Scout Gazette” and War Service
1914
The first Boy Scout paper in Hong Kong, a monthly magazine “Our Scout Gazette,” was published by the First Hong Kong Group. On the outbreak of war in August, the troop immediately volunteered their service to the Government. As a result, the senior troop was mobilized and slept at the Headquarters every evening for about six weeks. They were eventually absorbed into the Volunteer and Special Police Corps. 1920s
1917
Towards the end of 1917, scouting in the Colony was practically non-existent due to a lack of public interest and financial support.
1920s
Rebuilding and Resilience: Group Reformation and Gallant Service
1920
The First Hong Kong Group, the St. Joseph’s troop, was reformed with Mr. L. A. Gutierrez as Scoutmaster.
1924
Wong Man Cheong of the college troop represented Hong Kong at the Imperial Jamboree, held at Wembley Stadium in London. It was a major international event preceding the World Scout Jamboree.
1925
Scouting activities had to be suspended for several months because of the strike that year. The scouts, however, did useful work during the first few strenuous weeks of the trouble in the Colony. Many of our scouts rendered valuable assistance during street accidents and fires.
1926
On 12th of May, in the Hong Kong Boy Scout Rally, Scoutmaster H. Braga was presented with the Silver Cross, awarded by the Boy Scout Association for gallant conduct during the “Po Hing Fong” landslide disaster rescue work in 1925.
1930s
Establishing Excellence: Governor’s Troop and Banner Wins
1934
Our scouts won the Prince of Wales Banner, and the troop became the Governor’s Troop.
1935, 1937, 1938 & 1939
The First Hong Kong Senior Scouts once again won the Prince of Wales Banner.
1940s
Wartime Service and Post-War Revival
1941–1945
World War II broke out, and during the war, most of the scouts left to serve their countries. Those left behind helped in the defense of Hong Kong for the British Army. Mr. Rudy Choi Wing Hei, a scout leader, was awarded after the war for his service.
1946
Our Group Scout Leader, Mr. C.C. Quah, led the revival of scouting in Hong Kong and reorganized our group.
1950s
Community Impact: Disaster Relief and Leadership Appointments
1950
Mr. C.C. Quah, our former GSL was appointed as the Chief Commissioner of Hong Kong.
1951
Our Scoutmaster, Rev. Bro. Cronan was appointed District Commissioner of Victoria City by the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Alexander Grantham; and another Firstian, Mr. Stephen Wong was appointed Commissioner of Wong Nei Chung.
1953
Upon the disastrous Shek Kip Mei fire on Christmas night, our scouts were the first to respond to help at the relief centre to distribute food and clothing to the victims. The First Hong Kong group also initiated the effort to collect old clothes from the parents and school community to give to the unfortunates.
1956
The First Hong Kong Scouts won the Carlton Trophy.
1959
We took part in the Victoria District Scout Camporee; 6 senior scouts participated in the 10th World Jamboree.
1960s
Competitive Dominance: Multiple Trophy Wins and Jamboree Participation
1960
The Panther Patrol distinguished themselves by winning the Championship in the Colony Patrol Competition. The senior scouts won the Senior Trek competition. Mr. Wong Wing Cheung donated a trophy to our troop.
1961
The group was awarded the General Lay-out Trophy at the Golden Jubilee Jamborette.
1962
The First Hong Kong senior scouts once again won the Prince of Wales Banner.
1963
The First Hong Kong Scouts also won the Carlton Trophy.
1967
The First Hong Kong scouts won various competitions namely: the Area Scout Camp Competition, the Vice President Cup, the Chairman Shield and the Prince of Wales Banner.
1968
The First Hong Kong group won both the Prince of Wales Banner and the Carlton Trophy again. The scouts also won the Chairman Shield and the Vice President Cup.
1969
The First Hong Kong group won the Carlton Trophy, the Nonnie de Roza Memorial Shield and the Bishop Shield again. 18 members of our Group participated in the 13th World Jamboree in Japan.
1970s
Dominant Achievements: Consecutive Banner Wins, Diamond Jubilee, and Distinguished Awards
1970
The First Hong Kong senior scouts once again won the Prince of Wales Banner.
1971
The First Hong Kong group won the Carlton Trophy, the President Cup, the Bishop Shield, the Chairman Shield. Our scout leader, Mr. Hong Po Sum, was awarded the Certificate of Good Service by the Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong. Our senior scouts participated in the Senior Scout Camporee.
1972
The First Hong Kong group won the Prince of Wales Banner for the 4th consecutive time and won the Carlton Trophy for the 3rd consecutive time. Members of our group had increased to more than 150. A group of Firstians formed the Corps of Drums.
1973
To celebrate our 60th anniversary, our Group held a series of Diamond Jubilee events: the Parents’ Evening, a Photo Contest, the Exhibition at the City Hall, (it was the first scout exhibition ever displayed publicly in Hong Kong) and a Group Camp in Malaysia. During February and April, our Venture Scouts together with the Second Kowloon Ranger Guide Service Unit, formed the first experimental mixed unit in the Colony. The Venture Scouts also won the Chairman Shield.
1974
The First Hong Kong Venture Scouts won the Prince of Wales Banner for the 5th time in succession. We also won the President Shield again.
1975
Our Scouts won the Bishop Shield while the Venture Scouts won the Chairman Shield. Our GSL, Mr. Vincent Hoo, was awarded the Medal of Merit for his many years of loyal and efficient service.
1976
The First Hong Kong Venture Scouts won the Prince of Wales Banner for the 6th consecutive time during the past 12 years. Owing to the outstanding record, our Group was honoured to keep the Banner permanently. We also won the championship in the Rotaract Fair ’76 of the University of Hong Kong. Our GSL, Vincent Hoo, was awarded the Commissioner Thanks Badge.
1977
The First Hong Kong Scouts won the Carlton Trophy. The First Hong Kong Cub Scouts also came first in the Cub Scout Games Competition in the School Music Festival. The Scout and Venture captured the Stephen Wong Trophy in the Scout Campfire Song Contest. The Venture Scouts also got the Champion in the New Year Fiesta and the Rotaract Fair ’77 again. A Firstian Club was established to gather support from the former members.
1978
The First Hong Kong Venture Scouts won the Prince of Wales Banner for the 7th consecutive time. The Green White Scouting 1 was published.
1979
The First Hong Kong Scouts won the Carlton Trophy.
1980s
Milestone Celebrations: Anniversaries, Exhibitions, and Trophy Wins
1983
To celebrate our 70th Anniversary, various events were organized: the Platinum Anniversary Dinner at the Golden Mile Holiday Inn in January, an exhibition on Scouting at Landmark in August, and a 8-day holiday tour to Tokyo Disneyland in July.
1984
The First Hong Kong Venture Scout Unit won the Prince of Wales Banner.
1985
The First Hong Kong Scouts won the Carlton Trophy.
1988
The First Hong Kong Group 75th Anniversary Dinner was held at the China Fleet Club.
1990s
Pioneering Leadership: First Female Leader and Anniversary Celebrations
1990
The Scout Troop had its first female leader, Laura Lo.
1991
Farewell to Mr Vincent Hoo, GSL.
1993
The First Hong Kong Group 80th Anniversary joint group camp was held together with the 1st Macau Group during Christmas in Macau.
1994
The Scouts volunteered to design and decorate the new stone climbing wall in Tai Tam Scout Centre.
1998
The First Hong Kong Scouts won the Carlton Trophy and our Group 85th Anniversary dinner was held at Conrad Hotel in September.
2000s
Celebrating Milestones: Anniversary Events and Scout Achievements
2000
The Venture Scouts organized a grand campfire “Metropolis” with over 150 participants. The Group has taken part in the Millennium Grand Open Day 2000 of St. Joseph’s College. A Group Camp was held in Wong Yi Chau.
2001
The Rover Scout Crew was re-founded and the Pack B of the Cub Scouts was officially registered. 2 members got the HKSAR Scout Awards and William Cheung (Venture) became Scout of the Year. General Information Course was organized for the parents of the Cub Scouts.
2002
The First Hong Kong Scouts won the Carlton Trophy. Group Camp was held in Tai Tam Scout Centre. 2 members participated in 8th World Scout Youth Forum and 36th World Scout Conference in Greece.
2003
7 members went to 20th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand & Marcus Cheng (Scout) became Scout of the Year.
2004
The Group celebrated our 90th Anniversary with a series of activities, including birthday/click-off party in September at HK Scout Centre, the 90th Anniversary Campfire, and a 5-day Singapore Tour. Carlos Lai (Venture) became Scout of the Year.
2006
The Green White Scouting 2 was published.
2008
The Venture Scout Unit won the “Venture Scout Competition” for the first time.
2010s
Centennial Celebrations: Anniversary Events and New Milestones
2012
Air Scout Troop established in September.
2013
To celebrate our 100th Anniversary, the Centennial Group Camp was held at Tai Tam in May, Home Coming Day was organized in June, followed by an Open Day & Gala Dinner in September while the Green White Scouting 3 was published.
2014
The Venture Scout Unit won the Venture Scout Competition again.
2016
Corps of Drums Reunion in October.
2018
The Group 105th Anniversary Group Camp & Campfire were held in July at Tung Tsz Scout Centre. Overseas Tour to Gilwell Park & Brownsea Island U.K. was organized in August, followed by the Home Coming Day and Celebration Dinner in September.
2020s
Recognizing Excellence: Scout Awards and Organizational Growth
2020
Nathan Poon (Venture) became Scout of the Year.
2021
Formation of Group Council in October.
2022
Scout Room renovated with the addition of patrol boxes for Air Troop in October.
2023
Samson Lam (Rover) became Scout of the Year.
2024
The First Hong Kong 110th Anniversary Group Camp, Group Campfire and Group Service were held in February at Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village. The Gala Dinner was held in April at the Marriott Hong Kong Ocean Park Hotel. The First Hong Kong Cub Scout won the Chief Commissioner’s Shield, while Venture Scout won the Venture Scout Competition and our Rover Scout won the Rover Scout Trophy Competition.
2025
Anson Ma (Rover) became Scout of the Year.