SAMUEL BLUNT DE BURGH-EDWARDES
Born at Quatre-Bornes the 5th June 1895, Samuel Blunt de Burgh-Edwardes started scouting in Mauritius on the 18th April 1912. Louis Bax, Francis Boulle, Edouard Bérichon and Max Gébert were amongst the first members of his troop. Samuel was appointed the first scoutmaster in July in 1913 and received the Medal of Merit in 1921.
His Life
Samuel was educated both at St. Joseph College and the Royal College, Curepipe. After his studies, he joined the Colonial Secretary's Office in August 1915 and served in many Government Offices subsequently. Samuel left for England in 1921 and joined the Inner Temple in January 1922 and called to the bar in July 1924 signing the Roll of Barristers of King's Bench Division, High Court of Justice in London. During his career, Samuel registered the Supreme Court of Mauritius in 1925, was appointed acting District and Stipendiary Magistrate of Moka and Flacq from 1925 to 1926, Magistrate of Rodrigues from 1926 to 1927, Assistant Legal Advisor and Crown Prosecutor, Police Magistrate, Curator of vacant states and Official Assignee in Bankruptcy in Seychelles in 1927. After several years acting as Legal Adviser, Crown Prosecutor or Chief Justice, Samuel retired and returned to Mauritius to devotes himself to a beloved hobby which is scouting. He passed away on the 11th of June 1968 at the age of 73.
His Scouting Adventure
Samuel had a rich experience in scouting too. In the early 1922, Samuel was attached to a troop at Russell Square, London. He attended the Rally welcoming the H.R.H The Prince of Wales at Alexandra Palace in October 1922. On the 20th of July 1924, Samuel was presented to King Georges V by Chief Scout BP at Buckingham Palace. On invitation of the Chief Scout, Samuel went to the conference, tea, supper and camp fire at Gilwell Park on the 30th July 1924. In the same year, Samuel attended the Wembley Camp and spent the afternoon twice with the Chief Scout's family at their home situated at Pax Hill. Upon the request of Admiral Theseiger, Samuel went to start scouting in Seychelles in 1928 where he stayed for six years. Samuel then returned to Mauritius to revive the first Mauritian Group in 1936 and had to retire from scouting one year later on medical grounds. He then wrote many publications which illustrate the benefits of scouting in Mauritius.
They were:
- What is Scouting? What do Boy Scout Do? in 1913
- Boy Scouts Mauriciens (Souvenir de la vie en famille) 1921
Thanks to Samuel Blunt de Burgh-Edwardes, scouting in Mauritius has emerged as one of the most successful youth movement. We are proud to tell that scouting is still going strong after 103 years and is still appealing to the youth of Mauritius.