Our knowledge of the Group's history is at present not well documented.
This page will be a work in progress as more information is contributed.
If you have information which isn't here or memorabilia which relates to any part of Scouting in Lyttelton please contact us on lytteltonseascouts@gmail.com
Timeline
1907
Scouting for Boys published in England
1908
First official Scout Troop in New Zealand (at Kaiapoi)
1910
First mention of the Lyttelton Scout Troop on board a ship farewelling Capt. Scott's ill fated expedition to Antartica.
26th November the Lyttelton Scout Troop was with the St Michaels’ Troop on the Beecroft (large Italian Sailing Ship) farewelling Scott and the Terra Nova to the Antarctic. Signalled in semaphore, but their reply was unable to be read and the sailor who answered “Looked more like a windmill than anything else” (Dominion Scout Jan 10 1911)
1911
Lyttelton Scout Troop trek from Sumner Road at 10.30am for Taylor’s Mistake, intending to catch rabbits on the way for a stew at their destination. After food and a “few minutes devoted to the cooling of their heated feet in the surf” they returned to Lyttelton, reaching the Fire Station at 9.00pm (Dominion Scout Aug 1911).
Lyttelton Scout Troop 63 Scouts (Dominion Scout Nov 1 1911)
Lyttelton Girl Peace Scouts 3 Patrols (Dominion Scout Dec 1 1911)
1912
mid year, Baden Powell’s Visit Troop well established under Scoutmasters Guy and Benjamin. BP in Lyttelton – gave the “Dominion Rally” in fine style. 50 Scouts at Parade in King Edward Barracks in Christchurch.
"Lyttelton and Christchurch
After steaming up a loch with high hills on either side of it, our steamer landed us on the quay at Lyttelton, a charming little port with its houses tucked away in a ravine in the hills. Here were more Scouts to receive me, and to put me into the train for Christchurch a few miles distant.
The country as we ran through it, with its fields and hedges, farms, woods, and villages, was exactly like England, and so was Christchurch when we got there; just an English country town, and with English people in it. Here again was a splendid parade of over 3000 Cadets and Scouts for me to look at and to talk to.
From Christchurch we ran by train to Dunedin, stopping at many places on the way to see Scouts, Cadets, and Girl Guides drawn up for inspection; all of them efficient and smart and doing good work."
Section on Lyttelton from chapter 7 of Boy Scouts Beyond the Seas: "My World Tour"
Senior Troop p (2) Marksman’s Badge, 30 boys qualified in the shooting position, hoped to form a band 3 bugles, 2 drums, 8 flutes.
Junior troop nearly 2 patrols (Dominion Scout Nov 1 1912)
Capt Marciel RNR of Marine Dept offered position of Chief Sea Scout – marine supervisor in Lyttelton, Capt Wilcox, (same port) Sea Scout Secretary. Arrangements under way for Lyttelton (Dominion Scout December 1 1912)
Capt Hatchwell of Lyttelton had been appointed Sea Scout Examiner for the Canterbury District.
Mr Toomey had been appointed Sea Scoutmaster, committee was planning a concert to raise funds for a Camp in late December (Domion Scout Dec 28 1912)
1913
Early in year, Lyttelton Scout Troop No 1 awarded Kings Standard for 1913. This was awarded to the Troop in each Dominion which had not less than 24 Boys and which had the highest percentage of King’s Scout on 30th Sept
Feb 1, Lyttelton Troop camped at Fort Jervois, Dominion Chief Scout visited, general salute and Dominion rally, swimming lesson daily, all but two could swim by the time the camp broke up 40 boys including patrol of juniors, shooting competition.
First winners of the Sargood Otter Shield, presented annually to Troop having highest percentage of those taught to swim between November and May. Lyttelton Scout Troop 16 boys, 16 Lifesaving Badges
August 1913 and June 1913 Headquarters Gazette- Boat crews formed at Lyttelton and other ports
Lyttelton Sea Scout Troop formed in Lyttelton called the “Trafalgar Troop” under the able management of Mr Booth, ex Royal Marines – 3 boat crews, all keen and well trained.
1922
Registration form for 1937 held by National office gives the year of the Troop’s founding 1922. However many of their earliest records were lost in a fire.
1926
2 Scout Masters and 22 Sea Scouts attended 1st NZ Jamboree in Dunedin. Uniform described as navy blue jersey and black scarf. They gave a gave semaphore signaling demonstration.
1931
Lyttelton Sea Scouts, Lyttelton Scouts and Lyttelton Cubs attended the Scout and Guide Rally for the Visit of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell (7 March) at the. The Lyttelton Cubs demonstrated "Mending a Sheet" while the Lyttelton Sea Scouts had a sideshow on knotting and the Lyttelton Scouts had a sideshow on the work of Firemen.
At this stage Lyttelton was in the Number 3 District and is listed as having a Black Scarf. The 1st Lyttelton Guide Company was listed as being in the Christchurch East District and having Red and Black as Company colours.
1937
12 cubs, 2 sea scouts, 14 committee
1938
Christchurch No 2 District
1942- Ngaio District
1944
Census returns show 1 troop, 1 pack 26 cubs, 5 scouts, 8 sea scouts annual report Lyttelton troop going well, and will soon have their boats in the water again
1948-
Ngaio-Matipo District
1953
Senior Scout Group Registered
1955
Second Cub Pack started
R F Scott Rover Crew Started
1956
"Viceroy" Scout Troop Started – met at Scout Den at Dockhead
1955-
Raupo District
1962-
Onawe District
1963-1997
Rapanui District
1973
Naval Recognition gained for a period of three years.
1987
30 October, Girls admitted
1990
Moved to present Scout Hall and boatshed
1997
Banks Peninsula District created
200?
Lyttelton Cub Pack into recess
2005
26 November, celebrated at least 95 years of Scouting in Lyttelton
2006
Group earned Naval Recognition for a period of two years
All Scout Districts disestablished on 31 December. The Lyttelton Sea Scout Group was placed into the new ???? Zone.
Lyttelton Sea Venturer Unit re-opened. As Paddleducks Venturer Unit.
2007
Scout Zone named as Port Hills Scout Zone.