On this day: World Scout Day

There are still an estimated 16 Jewish groups operating in Britain today; the first of which was formed in 1908.

Landsberg's 1st East London Scout Troop was active for over half a century at Toynbee Hall, Aldgate, until a bomb hit the building during the war. The founder, Captain Jose R Landsberg, set the group up on his return from the Boer War.

What the JC said: Mr Landsberg believed his troop was the first Jewish troop in London, but he preferred it not to be designated a "Jewish one, inasmuch as it is open to any Gentile lad just as much as to one of the Jewish faith. Of course, every member of my troop is a Jew, but it does not necessarily mean that everyone else is barred."…Asked what modifications Mr. Landesberg has adopted in training his troop, the Scoutmaster rreplied with an emphatic "none". Continuing, he said, "we differ from other troops in that out boys are not able to do much scouting on a Saturday…but we certainly do a great deal on the Sunday.

See more from the JC archives here