LIEUTENANT COLONEL OWEN HERBERT MITCHELL (GOLLY)
This page is one of "MaC's Memories" - a
series of stories about the people who helped to make Isle of Wight
Scouts what it is today.
The name of 'Golly' Mitchell is very well known on the Island - the Mitchell Centre at Corf is named after him.
'Golly' Mitchell who died in Yarmouth on 6th October 1983 at the age of 83, will be remembered by his many friends as an outstanding personality.
Golly was educated at Bedford School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, where he obtained a prize cadetship and passed out seventh in order of merit. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1920 and after a year on the Unattached List with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment he was posted to Coke's Rifles. He took part with the regiment in the operations in South Kurdistan in 1923 and was from that time continually at regimental duty until 1936. After a short period with the Special Police against terrorists in Bengal he was seconded to the Kurram Militia. During his regimental service he held the appointments both of quartermaster and adjutant (he was one of only three officers who held these appointments and also commanded the regiment). His indefatigable energy and expertise in training contributed much to the efficiency of his regiment.
When on leave in 1939 Golly got married but his marriage tragically came to an end when his wife Barbara, only a few weeks after returning to India became ill and died.
In the Second World War, Golly accompanied Coke's Rifles as second-in-command when they were sent overseas to Malaya in 1941. He took part in the disastrous retreat to Singapore when he was seriously wounded. As he was being discharged from hospital he was taken prisoner at the surrender of Singapore. He spent nearly four years in captivity in Japanese hands. Probably, Golly's, true character was never more clearly demonstrated than during those terrible years. In Changi he edited an illicit newspaper, the POWC Echo. Those who shared the hardships and cruelties of Changi and the Siam railway agree that he was a tower of strength and an inspiration to them all. After the war, Golly was responsible for the re-raising of Coke's Rifles and he was the last British Officer to command.
Golly retired from the Indian Army in 1948 and came to the Island and lived in Yarmouth, where he soon put new life into the 1st Yarmouth Sea Scout Group. He was the Group Scout Leader from 1948 to 1954. Golly also held the appointment of District Commissioner for the West Wight from 1948 to 1954 and was instrumental in obtaining the old Church Hall in Totland for the use of the Freshwater / Totland Scouts and Guides. In 1954 he was appointed IW County Commissioner an appointment he held until 1956. During this time he was Assistant County Commissioner (Leader Training). A position he held until 1970. During this period he was also Deputy Camp Chief of the International Training Team and a tutor at Gilwell. In addition to all of that, throughout his Scouting involvement, he worked tirelessly with Lord Londsborough and others developing Corf, especially building the roads. In conjunction with Admiral Larkin he started the Annual Sea Scout Regatta on the River Yar. He edited the County Bulletin for five years, but it is as a great Leader Trainer that he will be remembered.
In 1958 he established the first practical Scout Wood Badge Course to be held on the Island, at Bishop Lovett School, Ryde and in 1960 the first Cub Wood Badge Course on the Island at Brighstone.
In recognition of this outstanding service to Scouting, Golly, was awarded the Medal of Merit and the Silver Acorn by the Chief Scout. On his death, his contribution to Scouting continued by leaving a substantial bequest to the Island Scouts, notably for the development of Corf Camp.
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