The Beathty Troop's Tale
As Leader of the Beathty Troop, I must say how delighted I was that the entire famous Beathty Cadet Corp, affectionately known as the Ladysmith Lads, was able to join the Troop for this year's inaugural Jamboree.
Many or parts of them having come from far and wide the Lads and I first mustered in the Houthe of Igor garden before heading off for a few nights under canvas in hopefully sunny Somerset. It made me proud to see so many of these Beathtieth looking as they did all those years ago when the troop was formed. True, the odd limb or two might have changed over the years but they all recognised each other and were soon sharing stories, old and new.
So, all 20 of the Lads assembled, we set off on the Thursday morning for the campsite just outside Wincanton. What was going to make this reunion even more special was the large number of other Troop beathtieth who had managed to arrange transport and canvas for the weekend. A commemorative photo shoot had been planned and as we headed off in the Beathty Bus I hoped quietly to myself that Mithter and Mithith B had remembered to pack the wide-angled lens.
Having arrived on the campsite Mithter and Mithith B set about raising the tent while the Lads checked their precious white neckers were all present and correct. Many of them were going to new homes at the end of the weekend and they were all jolly keen to make a good impression on their new hosts.
At a quiet and private ceremony they then honoured me beyond words by presenting me with a citation signed by them all stating that because of my own modest wartime service record I was allowed to wear a burgundy and white neckerchief. The only non Cadet Corp beathty who has ever been awarded this privilege. As a mark of respect to their heroic history I decided to only use a half necker.
As I wiped back a tear of pride and allowed my cheek fur to dry, we filed out of the tent to join the rest of the Troop in the weekend's fun. We all had a cracking good time. Some of the Lads might have gone over the top a tad as they regaled their stories of daring do to the new Troop members, sitting a suitably safe distance around the campfire. No one let on, of course, and the look of fluffy awe on the faces of some of the junior Troop members was often a joy to behold.
The photo shoot was a great success and a wonderful sight. 20 Ladysmith Lads surrounded by beathtieth with their golden neckers brought a lump to the throat, and it wasn't just the stuffing.
Some of the Lads then helped me judge the Camouflage Competition which I must say was easier said than done as we couldn't actually find some of the contestants for quite some time.
Then, on the Sunday evening, the tents came down, the flags were lowered, the Lads dispersed to pastures and comforts new and the rest of the Troop returned to their homes with heads and hearts full of happy memories and no doubt plans for the next Beathty Troop Jamboree.
Frederick von Flieder