30 November 1925
An inaugural meeting was held in the Church Hall of St. James' Church, Hampton Hill, attended by seven boys wishing to join. Mr C Abbot spoke of forming a Sea Scout Troop. The name 1st Hampton Hill (St James) Sea Scouts was chosen.
January 1926
Lt. Commander, the Hon. Marquis of Milford Haven accepted the Presidency of the Group. The Group met in the Hut within the church grounds.
March 1926
Four patrols were formed, consisting of 16 Scouts in all.
August 1927
Eight boys from 1st Hampton Hill were selected to represent Great Britain at the International Regatta. The first week was to be at Elsinore on board the Danish frigate, Jylland, and the second week in Copenhagen.
August 1928
Summer camp was held at Antwerp in Belgium.
1930 to 1960
The Group owned a barge called 'Clara' which was moored at Hampton alongside Thames Water Board land, and at that time regular meetings were held aboard.
1968
As the Group had no permanent Headquarters, Venture Scouts used to meet in the bedroom of the son of the Venture Scouts Leader, while Scouts met in the United Reform Church Hall, Hampton Hill, and Cubs met at Carlisle School, Broad Lane.
1971
A member of the Group attended the World Jamboree in Japan.
1975
Golden Jubilee Year. A service of commemoration/re-dedication was held at St. James' Church. An Open Day was held at Sunbury Court. The first edition of an annual newsletter was printed.
1976
Agreement was reached with the Scout Association and the County that Royal Naval Recognition be granted to the Group.
After discussions between Richmond Council and the local Girl Guide Commissioner, the Group built their Headquarters on land in front of the Guide Hut in Station Road. The building was officially opened on 25th September.
1977
On 12 October, the first Royal Naval Inspection took place, and the Group became known as 1st Hampton Hill (Achilles) Sea Scout Group.
When 1st Hampton Hill Sea Scout Group was accepted in to the Royal Navy 100 recognised Groups we adopted the name of HMS Achilles. The link here shows a brief resume of the six ships that have born this name - HMS Achilles
1979
A member of the Venture Scout Unit attended the World Jamboree.
1980
Venture Scouts took part in Royal Garden Party duties at Buckingham Palace.
1981
Venture Scouts took part in royal duties at the Hyde Park firework display to celebrate the forthcoming marriage of HRH The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.
1985
The Beaver Unit was formed. The main hall was named 'Whitehead Hall' after Ted Whitehead who for many years was an extremely active Chairman of the Group Committee.
2000
The 75th anniversary of the Group.
2005
The 80th anniversary of the Group.
2010
The 85th anniversary of the Group & the Explorer section reformed as the Raleigh Explorer Scout Unit.
2012
RN Inspection held in April.
Group successfully passed the inspection and regained Royal Navy recognition as number RN103.
On June 3rd, four Explorers and one scout took part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant aboard the 30ft Motor Cruiser, "Billie".
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Here are some of the Achilles Newsletters authored by Shirley Sainsbury-Brown from 1978-1985.
They were written at the end of each year as summary of the year's events and are now a valuable insight to past events at 1st Hampton Hill
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Achilles Newsletter - 1975
Achilles Newsletter - 1976
Achilles Newsletter - 1977
Achilles Newsletter - 1978
Achilles Newsletter - 1980
Achilles Newsletter - 1981
Achilles Newsletter - 1982
Achilles Newsletter - 1983
Achilles Newsletter - 1984
Achilles Newsletter - 1985
Achilles Newsletter - 1986
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Other pages of interest pertaining to our history and to the history of Scouting and Sea Scouting can be found below:
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Sea Scouting For Boys
Note on Lord Robert Baden-Powell
Listen to Lord Robert Baden-Powell Addresses Wolf Cubs In 1910!
Notes on Ships Named HMS Achilles
Notes on Sea Scouting