Chapter One
3rd Chesham Bois
The story of 1st Chalfont St Giles begins with Meadows School in South Road, Chesham Bois. In 1925, Captain M. G. Hogg took over the school, opened Chesham Bois Preparatory School, and formed the Scout troop that was officially registered as 3rd Chesham Bois.
1923
Meadows School opens
4 May 1925
Captain Hogg opens Chesham Bois Preparatory School
27 May 1925
3rd Chesham Bois registered
1926
Troop active in local Scout events
Oct 1926
Captain Hogg buys Shortenills
13 Sept 1927
Re-registered as 1st Chalfont St Giles
The beginning
A school troop that became part of our story
The earliest surviving Scout Association registration record shows that 3rd Chesham Bois was registered on 27 May 1925, with five Scouts, one Scoutmaster and its headquarters recorded at Meadow School, Chesham Bois.
Meadows School had previously been run by the Misses Lillian and Hilda Goldsack. In 1925, Captain M. G. Hogg took over the premises and opened Chesham Bois Preparatory School for boys aged 8 to 14. Newspaper advertisements soon announced that “a troop of Boy Scouts is in process of formation.”
Captain Hogg later married Hilda Goldsack, creating a direct link between the earlier Meadows School and the new boys’ preparatory school. In late 1926, Hogg moved the school to Shortenills in Chalfont St Giles, taking the Scout troop’s story with him.
The founder behind the troop
Captain Michael George Hogg MC
Captain Michael George Hogg MC arrived in Chesham Bois in 1925 after a distinguished military career in the First World War. A decorated Royal Garrison Artillery officer, he was awarded the Military Cross and was Mentioned in Despatches.
For Captain Hogg, Scouting was closely linked to his vision for the new boys’ school. Chesham Bois Preparatory School placed importance on physical training, games and outdoor activity, and newspaper advertisements soon announced that “a troop of Boy Scouts is in process of formation.”
Within weeks, the troop was officially registered as 3rd Chesham Bois. Just eighteen months later, after purchasing Shortenills in Chalfont St Giles, Captain Hogg relocated both his school and Scout troop, leading directly to the creation of 1st Chalfont St Giles.
Primary evidence
The original registration record
The official Scout Association registration record is the earliest known documentary evidence for the troop. It records the name 3rd Chesham Bois, the registration date of 27 May 1925, five Scouts, one Scoutmaster and headquarters at Meadow School.
27 May 1925 Registration Record
The official Scout Association registration record for 3rd Chesham Bois.
Chesham Bois Preparatory School
Captain Hogg took over the former Meadows School premises in South Road, Chesham Bois, and opened Chesham Bois Preparatory School on 4 May 1925. The school catered for boys aged 8 to 14 and advertised preparation for public schools and the Royal Navy, with special attention given to physical training, games and outdoor activity.
The same advertisements announced that “a troop of Boy Scouts is in process of formation.” This provides a direct contemporary link between the opening of Captain Hogg’s school and the creation of the 3rd Chesham Bois Scout Troop.
👩🏫 The Goldsack connection
Before Captain Hogg arrived, Meadows School was run by the Misses Lillian and Hilda Goldsack. Hogg’s later marriage to Hilda Goldsack helps explain the continuity between Meadows School, Chesham Bois Preparatory School and the later move to Shortenills.
📍 Where was it?
The school was based at the former Meadows School in South Road, Chesham Bois. Later local recollections identify Meadows as the building later known as the Longlow Club and then Guido’s Restaurant, at the junction of South Road and Chesham Road.
🎖️ Captain M. G. Hogg
Captain Maurice Gordon Hogg was a former Royal Artillery officer, schoolmaster and Scoutmaster. Later records refer to him as Major M. G. Hogg. He also achieved national recognition in archery, later becoming captain of the English International Archery Team and Chairman of the Royal Toxophilite Society.
Timeline
From Chesham Bois to Chalfont St Giles
1923
Meadows School opens
The Misses Goldsack opened Meadows School at Chesham Bois, originally educating girls under thirteen and younger boys.
1925
Captain Hogg takes over Meadows School
Captain M. G. Hogg took over the former Meadows School premises and opened Chesham Bois Preparatory School for boys aged 8 to 14.
Newspaper advertisements announced that a Scout troop was being formed.
1925
3rd Chesham Bois registered
The Scout Association registered 3rd Chesham Bois on 27 May 1925, with five Scouts and one Scoutmaster.
1926
Active in district Scouting
Newspaper reports show the troop taking part in local Scout gatherings, jamborees and wider district activities alongside other troops from Chesham, Chesham Bois, Amersham, Ballinger and Hyde Heath.
1926
Captain Hogg buys Shortenills
In October 1926, newspaper reports recorded that Captain Hogg had purchased Shortenills Gorse, Chalfont St Giles, and would be taking up residence there shortly.
1926
The school and troop leave Chesham Bois
In November 1926, the County Scout Council reported that Captain Hogg’s school, and the troop connected with it, were leaving the district.
1927
Re-registered as 1st Chalfont St Giles
On 13 September 1927, the troop was re-registered as 1st Chalfont St Giles, late 3rd Chesham Bois, with headquarters recorded at Shortenills, Chalfont St Giles.
What became of the original site?
From Meadows School to Guido’s Restaurant
After Captain Hogg moved the school to Shortenills, the former Meadows School building remained a local landmark. Local history sources and recollections identify it as the later Longlow Club, a bridge club and dance venue, before it became Guido’s Restaurant in 1982. Guido’s closed in 2016 and the site has since been redeveloped.
No confirmed photograph of Meadows School or Chesham Bois Preparatory School during Captain Hogg’s time has yet been found. If you have a photograph, school prospectus, pupil list or family memory connected with the school or troop, we would be very pleased to hear from you.
The next chapter
The move from Chesham Bois to Shortenills brought Captain Hogg’s school and Scout troop into Chalfont St Giles. In September 1927, the troop was re-registered as 1st Chalfont St Giles, beginning the Shortenills chapter of the story.
Continue to the next chapter →
