South Yorkshire Times, April 28th, 1939.

St. Georges Day Ceremony.

One of the most impressive parades of young people ever seen in Wombwell was provided on Sunday when the various youth organisations of the town joined in procession to attend morning service at Wombwell Parish Church in celebration of St. George’s day.

The parade comprised Rovers, Scouts, Cubs, Rangers, guides and Brownies, and a full company of the Church’s Lads Brigade all well-groomed and smartly uniformed, the detachments made a striking picture of discipline and contrasting colour as the match from the point of assembly, the Scout headquarters at Wombwell Main, down Hough Lane, through Copeland Road and a long summer Lane to the church where they occupied special seats and took up so much of the accommodation That the Congregation had to forsake their ordinary pews and sit at the rear of the building there were nearly 300 in the parade.

The spectacle made a striking illustration of the growing power of the youth movement in Wombwell, and demonstrates increasing willingness to submit to voluntary discipline under commendable auspices.

During the service the rector of Wombwell, Canon J St. Leger Blackney, dedicated company colours for the Scouts, a flag for the Cubs and a new side drum, presented to the Wombwell company of the Church lads Brigade by one of the officers, Lieut. the Rev. C. G. Shipley. These were all carried with full ceremonial to the chancel and placed near the altar with other flags, numbering eight or nine in all.

At the close of the service the company’s failed out in perfect order to the strains of “land of Hope and Glory,” played on the organ by Mr J Harrington. The companies assembled for review and dismissal in Kings Road.

Curates sermon.

The Rev. C. G. Shipley preached an inspiring sermon on the “St George’s Day theme,” basing it on the text, ” Thy people offer themselves willingly in the name of thy power.” He commended the Scout “promise” and said if it was lived up to it would ensure good Christian life and character. He challenged anyone to put forward a greater cause than that of Jesus Christ. It had been truly said that war would yield to nothing but the universal justice and love to be found in the religion of Jesus Christ. The cause of the army of the church of God was the only just cause. Speaking of the dedication ceremony he said they would let their colours down if they did not resolve to lead dedicated lives.

The rector extended a welcome to the companies, said he had been greatly impressed by the assembly and expressed the hope that they were all Attending their own Sunday schools churches.