MEMORIES of the Sea Scout boat on Rumworth Lodge in the 1940s have come from Mr Bill Bancroft, of Burnleigh Court, Bolton, following an appeal by Les Gough in this column on November 27.

Mr Bancroft writes: "Mr recollection is that it was the property of the Sea Cadet Corps, and was a 22ft. Whaler, secured to one of the islands on the lodge. The means of getting out to it was by a dinghy which was secured by lock and chain to a post on the bank adjacent to the form which has since been converted into two rather nice houses. The key for the lock was held by the farmer.

"The Sea Cadet Unit was formed in Bolton by the Navy League, in 1942, initially with 50 cadets, of which I was one. For record purposes we were numbered 1-50 in alphabetical order; being 'B', I was given No.1 and have always claimed to be the first Sea Cadet in Bolton. As a result, I was given the honour of proposing the Loyal Toast at their 50th Anniversary Dinner in 1992.

"The unit in 1942 was commanded by Lt. Tremayne, who was, I believe, general manager of Tootal Broadhurst and Lee; his First Lieutenant was Mr Pashley, who held a Masters ticket, and was an official in the Weights and Measures Dept. The other officers were Sub-Lieutenants Freeman, Derbyshire and Johnson. Lt Freeman, who was responsible for the administration of the unit, was also the Youth Officer for Bolton. Lt. Derbyshire was an official at Bolton Co-op, whilst Lt. Johnson was our Communications Officer.

The headquarters were in the old Technical College in Mawdsley Street, and as our numbers increased we formed our own drum and bugle band, which led us on ceremonial occasions such as the Warships Week parade.

"As well as being taught seamanship and generally preparing us for life in the Royal and Merchant Navies, for which most of us volunteered, we were taken on hush hush trips to Liverpool to visit the warships which were defending the Western Approaches and escorting the Atlantic convoys. The unit, now T.S. Dido, is still going strong, striving to provide a facility for the young people of Bolton with an interesting character-building pastime."