Sea Scouting and the Coast Guard
By
Lynley Lutchmedial
T&T Coast guardsmen stop to search a pirogue
Sea Scouting was first introduced in San Fernando around 1930 by Roy A. Joseph. His choice to name the first sea scout group the 1st. Southern Sea Scouts was turned down by the Island Commissioner and re-named, 2nd Trinidad Sea Scouts. The first being in Port of Spain. Roy Joseph then went on into an active
politcal career.
Lt. Col. E.T.W. Carr officially became the first Sea Scout Leader and commanded his "troop" that later formed part of the crew of the Marine Police of San Fernando on regular patrols of the habour. Lt. Col. Carr was later transferred and became Police Commissioner. Other leaders such as Jack Kelshall, Ralh Kelshall, Oswald Scales, Adrian Burke and others imparted those sea faring skills that challenged the boy's imagination for adventure and partriotism which led to a military career.
At any given night, boys took turns by "patrolling" the Gulf of Paria to ensure the water front was safe. Several Sea Scout groups were formed and over the years when World War II broke out, scouts actively played their part. Scouting was seen and viewed differently. The scout's war stories sprend around San Fernando resulting in an influx of new recruits.
Sea Scouting was now on "high seas" and the rivalry had begun. 2nd Trinidad, which later became 1st San Fernando Sea Scouts (A Burke), 3rd Trinidad (R. Boodram), 11th Trinidad (R Kelshall) 1st. Presentation (Bro. Samuel), 1st Notre Dame (Noel Penco) and many others were formed. This led to the Regatta's Morrison's Trophy, and then to the Coast Gruad for a military career.
Sea Scouting had a positive influence in the lives on many of our youths and that may have inspired many of them to join the ranks of a military life.
These are a few names of scouts who later joined the Coast Guard:
| Commodore Meryn Williams | 5th Naparima & 11th Trinidad Sea Scouts |
| Commodore Richard Kelshall | 1st San Frenando Sea Scouts |
| Commander Noel Penco | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Lt. Commander Gayloard Kelshall | 1st San Fernando & 11th Trinidad Sea Scouts |
| Lt. Edmund Legall | 3rd Trinidad Sea Scouts |
| Lt. Dirk Thomas | 1st A.S.J.A. Sea Scouts |
| Fleet Chief Petty Officer Franklin Pirthiesingh | 5th Naparima Scouts |
| Petty Officer Richard Alexander | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Petty Officer Anthony Spears | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Leading Seaman Caltstein Luctmedial | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Able Seaman Neil Mohammed | 1st Presentation Sea Scouts |
| Able Seaman Dave Gopaul | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Able Seaman Dave Byer | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Able Seaman Errol Lewis | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Able Seaman Clunis Gittens | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Able Seaman Lennox Richards | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Able Seaman Anslem Douglas | 1st Notre Dame Sea Scouts |
| Able Seaman Hayden Crawford | 3rd Trinidad Sea Scouts |
You are the
th person to visit this page since Jan 2001.
Thanks!
Web page designed and maintained by John F. Hoyte
Last modified 06/12/01