In late 1923 or early 1924 a scout troop was started at Rhos Methodist Churh.  They wore blue with orange scarves and were joined by a patrol from Colwyn Bay Eagles).  From this nucleus, the 2nd Colwyn Bay troop was formed, at first a „controlled‟ troop under the St. John‟s Methodist Church, but later, under Mr. F.T.Downes, “uncontrolled.” Their emerald scarves and blue uniforms were then changed to khaki uniforms with light and dark blue scarves.

A record of troops in 1927 shows 2nd Colwyn Bay as having 24 Scouts with Mr F.T. Downes as S.M.  In 1929, the same Mr. F.T.Downes was appointed to lead the local contingent to the Arrowe Park World Jamboree.

A personal memory of Mr. Ron Williams of Rhos on Sea is of being a member of 2nd Colwyn Bay In the late 1930‟s and early 1940‟s with Mr. Hammond Williams as Scoutmaster.  Later this position was taken by Mr. Geoff Gostage, with a Mr. Bill Hollywood as A.S.M. (the teaming of these two men was to lead to major benefits to scouting in Colwyn Bay when after the war, Mr Hollywood returned to Colwyn and became a major figure in local scouting with both the 7th Colwyn and the district team). Mr Williams remembers well the scout troop escorting the May Queen in the annual parade in Colwyn Bay and camping at Rowen.  In particular he remembers one occasion when after a school football match early one Friday evening, cycling to camp at Rowen only to find the site empty and the hut locked.  He says he became very worried thinking about having to cycle home through the dark and in the blackout.  Just as he was reluctantly about to turn for home he was jumped upon by all his fellows who had been hiding in order to play this practical joke on him.

Another personal memory comes from Hans Wins from Antwerp (Belgium)

As a Belgium war refugee I lived in Colwyn-Bay during the war. I was in the 2nd.Colwyn Bay Scout Troop under Geoff Gostage. We often camped in Rowen cycling up the Conway valley. One year, just for the fun of it we camped there for Christmas and was it cold!

Lovely and fond memories of a beautifull country, nice people and good Scouting. Jogging my memory further, I recall another activity with the 2nd Colwyn Bay Scout Troop during the war years. During “mock-invasions” in the Colwyn Bay area we acted as messengers for the Home Guard.  In one such exercise a gas attack was simulated and I had to cycle round with a wooden rattle announcing the fact.  Having a gas mask on, which was somewhat fogged, my view was not too clear and I ran into a “bomb crater” which was marked with chalk on the road. I was taken to the field casualty unit in Bay View Road where the Home Guard had their headquarters.  We also attended instruction films and talks on camouflage, booby traps etc which were given in the Princess Cinema on either a Saturday or a Sunday morning.  I also remember going to the coastguard look out point in Rhyl.  We enjoyed this outing because the coastguards were older, long retired men, doing war time duty and we were captivated by many a tale they had to tell.

Issue No.1 of the Scout Group, June 1946, refers to the successful formation of the Sea Scout section some six months previous and the formation of a Rover Crew a few weeks previously. This issue also carries the first installment of  Sea  Scout Hans Win and his escape from the Nazis from Belgium to the U.K. (see index for “My incredible Escape”)