AT just 18 years of age, Ken Jecks corr became the Assistant Scoutmaster for the 56th Southport Troop.
Ken, who lives in Ainsdale, has happy memories of his time with the Scouts, a movement he joined as a teenager during the Second World War.
He looks back fondly on his time with the Southport 56th Scouts (attached to the romer Churchtown Congregational Church) remembering his joy at finding new friends after moving north from Coventry.
“It was nice to find new friends and we went to many camps,” said Ken.
“Once we went on our bikes to camp at Penny Bridge in Cumbria, which was a long way, carrying all our gear for the week!”

Ken Jecks today at his Ainsdale home

Once every month the scout group were involved in local church parades, including the annual St George's Day parade.
They used to socialise every Saturday in the back room of Bridges herbalist shop in Tulketh Street.
Bridges was to become Martin and Bury's pet shop, which later disappeared when The Marble Place was built.
The tiny room in the back of the shop was fitted with tables and chairs, and non-alcoholic drinks such as sarsaparilla and dandelion & burdock were served to the boys.
The group were involved in many local projects, providing their tent expertise when setting up camping equipment for church functions.
“The lads enjoyed these functions, we were usually provided with a cup of tea and enjoyed watching the Morris dancers,” he recalled.
Ken was made Assistant Scoutmaster at the age of 18, a role he retained until 1948 when he got married and moved to Ormskirk, beginning a new life with his family.
Yet his memories of Southport during a time of massive global upheaval have stayed with him to this day.
Working at Brockhouse Engineering in Crossens in 1943, Ken was called up for National Service.
After passing the medical it was mentioned he would be sent on a officer training course with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Ken said: “It must have been decided I could do more good for the war effort by staying at Brockhouse Engineering and so that is what I did.”
He remained in Southport throughout the war, becoming a member of the First Aid Unit of the Civil Defence Services.

A wartime photograph of 56th Southport Scout Troop. Do you recognise any of the boys on it?

Recently he came across an old photo (pictured) of his time with the 56th Southport Troop, and had some success in naming the boys in it – despite it being almost 65 years ago on.
A few faces however, remain nameless and Ken is now appealing for help in filling in the blanks.
If you can help, call LookBack on 01704-398287, email robert.alcock@southportvisiter.co.uk or
leave a message below.

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