| The strong pull of the past drew more than 30 alumni back to RI for the talk on “Scouting in Raffles” delivered by Dr Kevin Tan in the recently-opened RI Museum. Organised by the RI Chapter of the Singapore Scout Guild, the audience were enthralled by the speaker’s tales of adventures and misadventures that took place a century ago. Dr Tan, a law expert, is also a noted historian. |  Dr Kevin Tan starting his presentation |
Scouting was started in Singapore in 1908, with a troop based in the YMCA and not affiliated to any particular school. But even as early as 1909, RI students were already engaged in Scouting, and they participated in events held in the field of another school further down Bras Basah Road.
 The visit of Edward, Prince of Wales | Then, as now, with the impending visit of a VIP, in this case, Edward, Prince of Wales, in March 1922, there was official encouragement to create activities to mark the occasion. Scout troops were formed to provide welcoming contingents. A Raffles Troop was founded in February of that year by Mr K Sabapathy, a teacher formerly from Victoria Institution where he had gained experience in Scouting. |
 | A notable Scout from that era was Chan Chon Hoe, (1909 – 2003) a troop leader in 1927 and 1928. A prominent student athlete at Gan Eng Seng School, and later RI, he used to participate in national walking competitions until he was almost 90 years old, wearing his original Scout’s Uniform, which he could still fit into. |
He was also responsible for a large, anonymous donation being made to the cause of Scouting in Singapore. A few days after Mr Chan passed away, someone went to Scout Headquarters and handed over $40,000. Refusing to give any details about himself, all that the donor would say was that, after seeing the obituary photo featuring the late Mr Chan in competition, he had placed a big 4-D bet on the participant’s number, and had won the first prize.
In 1932, the RI Troop was officially designated as 2nd Raffles.
By 1934 RI had the 2nd, 16th and 32nd Troops. Five Raffles Scouts also went to participate in the Jamboree in Australia, and Roy Ferroa became our first King’s Scout.
By 1938, RI had five Scout Troops, 2nd, 16th, 32nd, 37th and 38th.
War put an end to Scouting activities. After the war, in 1946, Scouting was revived in RI, with E W Jesudason, who would later become Principal, as the Scoutmaster.
1964 saw another major consolidation of Scouting in Singapore, with the re-numbering of various Scout troops. The number 2101 was offered to 2nd Raffles, who were rumoured to have rejected it because the ending of 101 is not considered fortuitous according to local custom. Their less superstitious peers in the 32nd Troop accepted it, and today, the RI Troops are known as 01 and 02.
In 1932, the RI Troop was officially designated as 2nd Raffles.
By 1934 RI had the 2nd, 16th and 32nd Troops. Five Raffles Scouts also went to participate in the Jamboree in Australia, and Roy Ferroa became our first King’s Scout.
By 1938, RI had five Scout Troops, 2nd, 16th, 32nd, 37th and 38th.
War put an end to Scouting activities. After the war, in 1946, Scouting was revived in RI, with E W Jesudason, who would later become Principal, as the Scoutmaster.
1964 saw another major consolidation of Scouting in Singapore, with the re-numbering of various Scout troops. The number 2101 was offered to 2nd Raffles, who were rumoured to have rejected it because the ending of 101 is not considered fortuitous according to local custom. Their less superstitious peers in the 32nd Troop accepted it, and today, the RI Troops are known as 01 and 02.
| For many of those in attendance, the high points of the evening were not confined only to the talk by Dr Tan.  Maurice Neo gave an emotional response to the presentation |  Leo Chin Tong copying his old Scouting documents from Sui Kang Fook’s online archive Sui Kang Fook had compiled a display of old photographs, shown both in print and digitally. The attendees had a wonderful time trying to identify themselves and their friends in the displays. |
 Ong Chew Liang (centre) recalls old Scouting memories while looking at photos with Lye Kwok Teow and Mrs Lye |  Cheryl Yap, curator of the Raffles Institution Museum and Archives, hard at work preparing for our Scouts’ event |
Among those who came were Ong Chew Liang and Lye Kwok Teow, King’s Scouts from 1949 and 1952 respectively.
Our old Scoutmasters, Mr S Puhaindran and Mr Foo Don Wan, also had a great time reliving memories with former students. And Natahar Bava, previously Singapore’s National Rugby Coach, made it a point to be present.
Our old Scoutmasters, Mr S Puhaindran and Mr Foo Don Wan, also had a great time reliving memories with former students. And Natahar Bava, previously Singapore’s National Rugby Coach, made it a point to be present.
 Natahar Bava, with Mr Puhaindran, Roney Tan and Mr Foo Don Wan |  An old boy sees himself in an old photo. Can you identify his name? Drop us a mail at [email protected]! |
Everyone wanted to congratulate Dr Kevin Tan. Here, he exchanges contacts with Lim Chin Jit, Matthew Yap and Kiew Won Lee.
 Dr Kevin Tan graciously obliged everyone by posing for photos with the Old Scouts |  And also with the Not-So-Old Scouts! |
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