Boy Scouts from various parts of the country joined others on the east coast to supplement the Coastguards keeping watch out for the enemy and suspicious activity early in the Great War.
They stayed in huts behind the dunes or embankments at the edge of the marshes of the Wash and pairs of Scouts patrolled a length of the coast in two hour shifts, day and night, during their two month stay. Two Scouts from Eydon were in this group at Gedney, with Leonard Golby, aged 16 (standing 2nd from left) and Fredrick Kench aged 19, standing on the right) Fred joined the Royal Field Artillery shortly after returning home. Fred Kench's diary, which he kept during duty at Gedney Drove End records on Wednesday 17th March 1915 "photographer came and took our photos." Len Golby, at least, also served another period of coast watching as his initials have been found carved into the brickwork of the coastguard station at Gibraltar Point, at the northern tip of the Wash.
Photographer: Unknown possibly professional
Image lent by : Mr David Kench
Connected Photos: KL018 | KL025