National Archives of Australia
Media release
Boy scouts to defend Australia – 8 August 2007
Australian boy scouts may have got more than they bargained for in 1939 if the Lyons Government had taken up a suggestion to use them for unpaid border patrol.
In 1939 Mr E McGuinness from Murdunna, Tasmania wrote to Prime Minister Joseph Lyons suggesting that scouts be recruited to patrol the nation’s coastline.
The National Archives of Australia has displayed the letter as its August Find of the Month both online and in its Canberra gallery. August 2007 marks the centenary of the worldwide scouting movement, established by Lord Baden-Powell in 1907.
‘The McGuinness scheme suggested raising an army of 20,000 scouts between the ages of 15 and 18 who would be positioned in groups around Australia to protect its coastline,’ said curator Tracey Clarke from the National Archives.
Mr McGuinness added that the scouts’ time would not be wasted. In protecting the coastline, they could also act as prospectors searching for valuable minerals, and be trained as mining experts.
They were also expected to become gardeners and ‘to supply all vegetables for their or other garrisons’.
‘Other proposed jobs were to establish communications, cut tracks, build boats, survey the coastline, put in mile pegs and build huts,’ said Ms Clarke.
‘Their skills would extend to signalling, learning the prismatic compass, map reading and become electricians and good horsemen, swimmers and rifle shots.’
On top of this ‘the lads would receive no wages’ but were expected to study athletics and physical training and be good comrades, tolerant, non-abusive, non-political and non-denominational.
To ensure its success, Mr McGuinness volunteered himself as an organiser of the scheme.
The government of the day was not inspired to take up Mr McGuiness’ suggestion. They wrote back, politely declining his suggestion and advising that a senior cadet force already allowed young men to contribute to the war effort.
The letter can be seen online as the August Find of the Month.
Contact information
Australian boy scouts may have got more than they bargained for in 1939 if the Lyons Government had taken up a suggestion to use them for unpaid border patrol.
In 1939 Mr E McGuinness from Murdunna, Tasmania wrote to Prime Minister Joseph Lyons suggesting that scouts be recruited to patrol the nation’s coastline.
The National Archives of Australia has displayed the letter as its August Find of the Month both online and in its Canberra gallery. August 2007 marks the centenary of the worldwide scouting movement, established by Lord Baden-Powell in 1907.
‘The McGuinness scheme suggested raising an army of 20,000 scouts between the ages of 15 and 18 who would be positioned in groups around Australia to protect its coastline,’ said curator Tracey Clarke from the National Archives.
Mr McGuinness added that the scouts’ time would not be wasted. In protecting the coastline, they could also act as prospectors searching for valuable minerals, and be trained as mining experts.
They were also expected to become gardeners and ‘to supply all vegetables for their or other garrisons’.
‘Other proposed jobs were to establish communications, cut tracks, build boats, survey the coastline, put in mile pegs and build huts,’ said Ms Clarke.
‘Their skills would extend to signalling, learning the prismatic compass, map reading and become electricians and good horsemen, swimmers and rifle shots.’
On top of this ‘the lads would receive no wages’ but were expected to study athletics and physical training and be good comrades, tolerant, non-abusive, non-political and non-denominational.
To ensure its success, Mr McGuinness volunteered himself as an organiser of the scheme.
The government of the day was not inspired to take up Mr McGuiness’ suggestion. They wrote back, politely declining his suggestion and advising that a senior cadet force already allowed young men to contribute to the war effort.
The letter can be seen online as the August Find of the Month.
