John Charles McWhirter
Houston, Texas
June – September, 1929
Travels to Europe to attend the World Boy Scout Jamboree
This 14 year old Eagle Scout (and also my father) had the privilege of traveling to England to attend the World Boy Scout Jamboree in 1929 and on the 3 month trip, saw much of Europe. While at the Jamboree, he met and performed for Sir Robert Baden Powell, who founded the Scouting Movement which spread throughout the world. Although he was not a prolific writer at age 14, he kept a daily diary and made brief journal entries each day of the trip. There are some misspellings, most of which I left in the transcription, and there were some words I just couldn’t read, but did the best I could to render an accurate, typed version of his handwritten journal. It was interesting to note that on the voyage to Europe from the U.S., there were ladies he described as “bathing beauties”, and he got autographs from several of them as they turned out to be candidates for Miss Universe from several countries.
Now, in May of 2012, my granddaughter, Tara Kennedy, is traveling to Europe to spend time studying in France and visiting in England, Ireland and other parts of Europe, and this transcription has been made to let her see the places that her great grandfather visited when he was a young boy.
Quin McWhirter
John Charles McWhirter
Houston, Texas
World Scout Jamboree
London, England 1929
From June 19 until September 10, 1929, travels through Europe in conjunction with attending the World Boy Scout Jamboree in England. The trip was aboard the French Line, De La Salle. The impressive itinerary included New Orleans, Havana, Palma Island, Teneriff, Las Palmas, Le Havre, Paris, Geneva, Heidelberg, Essen, Cologne, Amsterdam, Hague, Brussels, Brugge, Blankenberge, Canterbury, Birkenhead, Crème, Liverpool, Oxford, Stratford on Avon, Warwick and Kinelworth, London and Paris again.
June 18 Weather-good Place-La Salle We sailed about 5:25 P.M. on the De La Salle. Our cabins were assigned and then we ate supper. After supper we roamed about the boat till bedtime. Goodbye till tomorrow night.
June 19 Weather-good Place-La Salle Woke up this morning sea sick. I laid around all morning till I felt better. Played some games and took some pictures this afternoon. Had a fine supper. Was with the bunch tonight and sang songs and told stories. Am about ready for bed. G.B.T.T.M.
June 20 Weather-good Place-La Salle Woke up this morning feeling fine. We played around the deck till about dinner time then we went to town for dinner. After the dinner we went sight-seeing and after that, swimming. After supper we went to a show. Then we came back to the boat about 10 P.M. G.B.T.T.M.
June 21 Weather-good Place-La Salle Woke up just in time for breakfast this morning. After breakfast we watched the men load the boat. About 11:30 P.M. we sailed from New Orleans. Played around all afternoon and had a good supper. Am going to bed in just a minute. G.B.T.T.M.
June 22 Weather-good Place-La Salle Woke up this morning and took a few exercises. Ate breakfast and went up on the bow of the ship and watched the flying fishes. A man showed me a good trick. After dinner we played deck games all afternoon. Had a good supper and am about ready to go to bed. G.B.T.T.M.
June 23 Weather-good Place-La Salle Woke up this morning and took exercises. Ate breakfast and played around deck till dinner. After dinner we took a sight seeing trip through Havana, the most interesting city I have ever visited. We ate supper and went to a show. After the show we came back to the boat for bed. G.B.T.T.M.
June 24 Weather-good Place-La Salle Had a hot night last night as we were in port. Had breakfast and waited around all morning for the boat to pull out, which it did about 12 o’clock. We watched the waves most of the afternoon as they were very high. Had a good supper and am going to bed early. G.B.T.T.M.
June 25 Weather-good Place-La Salle Woke up at 7 A.M. and washed up and ate breakfast. Laid around all morning. After dinner we played games all afternoon. Had supper about 6 P.M. After supper we had some very good boxing. Went to bed early. G.B.T.T.M.
June 26 Weather-good Place-La Salle Woke up at usual time. After breakfast I laid around and slept all morning. Read most of the afternoon. After supper we talked with the bathing beauties till bed time. (Note: autographs were obtained from Miss Universe Austria, Miss Holland, Miss Luxembourg, Miss England, Miss France and Miss Espana.) G.B.T.T.M.
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June 27 Weather-good Place-La Salle Did not get any breakfast as I got up too late. Laid around and read all morning till dinner. After dinner I also read. Played a little bridge. After supper played bridge and watched the boxing matches. Am about ready for bed.
June 28 Weather-good Place-La Salle No breakfast this morning as I got up too late. Didn’t do much this morning, however I did read a little. After dinner planned a program we were going to put on tonight. Had some refreshments. After supper the scouts put on a program for the rest of the passengers. Am about ready for bed.
June 29 Weather-good Place-La Salle Before I got up this morning I did some writing. I got up about 11 o’clock and had dinner a little later. Read this afternoon till about 3 o’clock then we practiced some songs. We didn’t do much till after supper but tonight they had a mascarade ball. Everybody had a fine time.
June 30 Weather-good Place-La Salle Missed breakfast this morning. We cleaned up and had an inspection, the first one we have had. After dinner I read a good while and played a few deck games, also had refreshments. After supper we played a few deck games, read a little and am now ready for bed.
July 1 Weather-good Place-La Salle I woke up in time for breakfast. I did a little reading but laid around most of the morning. After dinner in the afternoon we practiced a new song. We were shown around throughout the entire boat later on in the afternoon. We played a game of schuffleboard and ate supper. Have not done anything since supper. Am about ready for bed.
July 2 Weather-rain Place-La Salle After breakfast this morning, cleaned up for inspection. Read a little this morning and took a little exercise. After dinner we talked most of the afternoon and practiced a new song. Had a good supper and haven’t done much since then. Am about ready for bed.
July 3 Weather-good Place-La Salle Got up and had breakfast. After breakfast I took exercises and had a sun bath. We played schuffle board just before dinner. After dinner we practiced some songs and then I took part of Birdstudy. Had a good supper and am going to bed early.
July 4 Weather-cold Place-La Salle Woke up and ate breakfast. We then cleaned up for inspection. Took a little exercise this morning and then laid around till dinner. In the evening we played a new game, very interesting. After supper the New Orleans boys put on the camp fire. Am now about ready for bed.
July 5 Weather-good Place-La Salle Got up (as usual) ate breakfast and took exercise. We won inspection for the second time. We also saw a big boat pass. This afternoon we saw a large island one of the Canary Islands. We are now anchored just off the coast. Had some refreshments a little while ago and am about ready for bed.
July 6 Weather-good Woke up at Teneriff this morning. After breakfast we went up and bought things from the peddlers on board the ship. After dinner we arrived at Las Palmas and we got off and visited. We road around in buggies with horses pulling them. It surely is an interesting place. We bought some gifts and ate supper there. We came back about 8:00 o’clock to the boat and we sailed about 9:30. We ate supper again after we got back to the boat. We also stopped at the fruit market while we were in the city.
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July 7 Weather-good Place-La Salle Slept late this morning. Got seasick about 10 o’clock as the sea was awful rough. Didn’t eat any dinner or supper. Laid around most of the time.
July 8 Weather-good Place-La Salle Been sea sick all day. Ate a little supper tonight. Am about ready for bed. Have also been in bed all day. By the way I did do some writing this morning.
July 9 Weather-good Place-La Salle Got up this morning and had a good breakfast. After breakfast had a hair cut, shampoo and massage. After dinner we played around all afternoon also slept a little while. After supper we practiced some songs and am now about ready for bed.
July 10 Weather-good Place-La Salle When we got up this morning there was a dense fog, but it soon cleared away. We had a good breakfast as John and Jake cooked it. We watched boats pass all morning. After dinner we played around all afternoon till supper. We haven’t done much since although we did practice some songs and signed our passport pictures.
July 11 Weather-good Place-La Salle After breakfast we went up on deck and watched the boats pass. We saw one sub-marine. The gulls have also been following us all day. After dinner we played around and had some refreshments later in the evening. When supper was over we watched the land which was seen ever once in a while. We saw one very pretty light house. Had some ice cream tonight. Will be in France tomorrow.
July 12 Weather-good Place-University of Paris When I woke up this morning we were dock at Le Havre. We got on train there and came to Paris. Then to the University. After dinner we took a sight seeing trip around the wonderful city and saw many places of interest. We had supper with a group of French Scouts. After supper we rode around some more and casme back to the University about 11 P.M. Did some writing and went to bed.
July 13 Weather-good Place-Swiss Army Barracks Woke up early and got cleaned up. We had breakfast at the University. After breakfast we went on buses to the station. We then left for Geneva. Had a very interesting trip over and had fine meals on the train. Arrived at Geneva about 9 p.m. Went in buses to the Swiss Army Barrack. Were assigned beds and am going to bed in a few minutes.
July 14 Weather-good Place-Swiss Army Barrack After getting up early and getting everything ready for the day we went down a couple of blocks and had breakfast. After breakfast we went down to Lake Geneva and got a boat and took a trip around the lake. We also went swimming in the lake. After dinner we visited the Castle of Chillon and left late in the evening for Geneva. We had a good supper and had some good ice cream tonight. Am now about ready for bed. Also took several pictures today.
July 15 Weather-good Place-Swiss Army Barracks Had breakfast the same place as yesterday morning. All morning we toured the city in buses and saw many places of interest. After dinner we shopped all afternoon. I got a good looking watch only $8.00. Had a good supper. We are going to practice Indian dancing in a few minutes and then we are going to bed.
July 16 Weather-good Place-Army Barracks Had breakfast same place. After breakfast we left in buses for Chamonix and Mt. Blanc. The scenery was beautiful on the way. We arrived at Chamonix about 11:30 and ate dinner. We then went on top of Mt. Blanc which was covered in ice. After our visit there we came back to the Barracks. Ate supper and the laundry was given out and am about ready for bed. Leave for Germany tomorrow.
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July 17 Weather-good Place-Heidelberg We left Geneva about 8 o’clock this morning. After riding on one train for about 3 hours, we had dinner at a little Swiss town Basel. We then left on a German train. We changed again in about 20 minutes. The last train brought us to Heidelberg. We were met by German Scouts and marched to our quarters. Were assigned place and then ate supper. Am about ready for bed.
July 18 Weather-good Place-Youth’s Hall Got up late this morning, had a good breakfast. We visited the interesting city of Heidelberg. Also went swimming in the Neckar. This afternoon we visited the Neckar Valley; also went swimming again. Visited many interesting places. After supper we came back and am about ready for bed. Also had tea this afternoon.
July 19 Weather-god Place-Youth’s Hall After breakfast we left on the train for Mainz. We ate dinner in this city and left on a boat down the Rhine. Had an interesting trip. Ate on the boat. Am now about ready for bed.
July 20 Weather-fair Place-Youth’s hall Got up early and had a good breakfast. We left about 9:30 for Essen and arrived there about 11. Had an interesting visit to the Krupp Works. After dinner we came back to the Youth’s Hall and then paraded before supper. After supper we put on a program for the German boys.
July 21 Weather-rainy Place-Youth’s Hall Toured the interesting City of Cologne and saw many wonderful things. After dinner a few of us boys went to town but were caught in the rain. Wrote the rest of the afternoon. Had a good supper. Am going to pack up then go to bed.
July 22 Weather-good Place-De Paol(sp) Amsterdam Had an interesting trip over. Arrived at Amsterdam about 12 o’clock. Visited the city this afternoon. Saw a parade by children. Had good supper and am about ready for bed.
July 23 Weather-good Place-De Paol Went to the station about 9 o’clock where we caught a boat and rode only a little ways. We then went by rail to Brok where we visited a cheese factory. After that we went to Edom where we had dinner. We then came back to the station stopping at one town on the way back. Had a good supper. Went to a show and am about ready for bed.
July 24 Weather-good Place-Astoria Hotel(Hague) After eating breakfast we visited a diamond cutting factory. It was very interesting. After dinner we left for Hague and arrived here about 3 o’clock. Visited the city this afternoon and saw many interesting places. Had a good supper. Am going to do a little writing then going to bed.
July 25 Weather-good Place-Astoria Hotel(Hague) After breakfast we all went swimming in the North Sea. We visited a few more interesting places the rest of the morning. After dinner we took a trip to Rotterdam which was very interesting. Am going to have supper in about 10 minutes. Will go to bed early tonight.
July 26 Weather-good Place-Brussels After breakfast we caught the train for Brussels. We arrived at Brussels about 1 o’clock and had dinner. We shopped this afternoon and had a very good supper tonight and am about ready for bed.
July 27 Weather-good Place-Brussels After breakfast we visited the city and saw many interesting places. After dinner we visited the boy scout camp and went back out for campfire tonight. Am about ready for bed.
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July 28 Weather-fair Place-Brugge We left Brussels about 10 o’clock this morning. We arrived at Brugge just in time for dinner. We took a motor boat around the canals. Also visited the city of Blankenberghe. Had a good supper and am about ready for bed.
July 29 Weather-rainy Place-England After breakfast we did a little shopping. We caught the channel boat about 10:30 A.M. Had dinner on the boat. We arrived at England about 2:30. We visited the city of Cantebury. Had tea this evening. We left about 7:30 P.M. for London. We are now at the place where the circus is shown each year.
July 30 Weather-rainy Place-Camp in Birkenhead After breakfast we left for Birkenhead. We had a good trip over. Had refreshments just before we got off the train. We rode in buses out to the camp. Everything was ready for us. Had a pretty good supper, also a good campfire. It is pretty cold, so am going to bed.
July 31 Weather-good Place-camp We had a good breakfast. Cleaned up camp all morning. After dinner each troop marched in the arena in great style. It took most of the afternoon. It is very cold so am going to bed early.
August 1 Weather-cold Place-camp Had a good night’s sleep. We worked around camp all morning. This afternoon the American boys put on our Indian dancing and cowboy stunts. Will eat supper in a little while. Won’t have campfire tonight.