Colin Roy Stretton:  19/12/1934 – 18/12/2025

Colin, known as “Kiwit” to the hundreds (possibly thousands) of Sea Scouts who experienced his leadership and mentorship at the Humewood Sea Scout Group.

Colin first joined Humewood Sea Scout Troop as a 14 year old in January 1948 where he remained until turning 18. After moving to Johannesburg for a few years he returned to Port Elizabeth where he was appointed Scout Master (Troop Scouter) of Humewood Sea Scouts in September 1956 until he became Group Scout Master (SGL) in July 1966.

Colin was an enthusiastic Scouter who was always willing to assist on both numerous adult and youth training courses.  He attended as a participant on every adult training course offered – earned his Scout Wood Badge in 1959 – and was appointed as Leader Trainer on the National Training Team in 1982.

Scouting gave Colin many adventures but 1971 was an especially significant year  –  he was tasked at short notice by SAHQ to take on the role of Troop Scouter of the SA Contingent to the 13th World Scout Jamboree in Japan in August 1971. This was to be a ground breaking experience as the SA Contingent of 32 Scouts was fully representative of each racial group in the country and the first time that any team or group of any sort had all marched together under the SA flag (old).

Astronaut Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon, visited the Jamboree and was welcomed by Colin into the SA campsite to sample koeksusters.

At the conclusion of the Jamboree the SA Contingent flew via Moscow to Paris where, after seeing all the SA Scouts safely onto their flight back home – Colin with 2 other Scouters embarked on a short tour of the UK and ending at the 51st Gilwell Reunion at Gilwell Park in September 1971 where Colin met Lady Olave Baden-Powell and struck up a close friendship which lasted until her passing in 1977.

Colin truly lived the Scout Law and Promise to the full and was supported all the way by his wife Pam and their 2 daughters and son.

Together with Harrison Nash of the Maranatha Youth Care Centre Colin welcomed boys and girls from the Centre into Humewood Sea Scouts and helped enrich their lives with useful skills and the scouting spirit.

Colin Roy Stretton was a Scout through and through who was always prepared to help anyone in need  –  no challenge was ever too big.

Back to Gilwell … Happy Land Happy Land

Rest in Peace dear Colin – you have done your best and touched many lives.