In Early August 1949 Derek Deakins, a young boy at the time, was in attendance at Wolferton Scout Campsite visiting with the 19th Grimsby Scout Group.
Derek and other Scouts were in the local area exploring and foraging for items to take back to camp whilst alongside the trainline near to Wolferton Station they boys heard an approaching train, stopping what they were doing to seeing a train coming to a halt at the Station they quickly realised the train was in fact a Royal Train. At double speed Derek and his cohort ensured they were a of a presentable appearance and stood in line to attention saluting the train as it pulled out of the Station a few moments later, capturing a glimpse of the King and Queen as the train passed by.
Having thought nothing more of the encounter (other than an exciting anecdote to relay to friends and family), it came as a great surprise a few days later when the Scout Master at the time a Reverend Standley, received a letter from the King’s Equerry informing him of how impressed the King had been at the behaviour of the Scouts.
On returning to Grimsby following the camp, the letter received great interest with the story being printed in the local paper and the original letter from the King being placed on display in the vestry in St Hugh’s Church in the town for years to come.
Derek’s sister, June Darwood, formerly of Grimsby now having resided in Norfolk for a number of years had a chance meeting with Chris Walford, an associate of the Station in late 2023 and the story of the Kings letter was retold. June kindly donated a copy of the letter to the Station, this copy has been digitally enhanced and with June’s permission a copy has been sent to the 19th Grimsby Scout Group, who are still an established group in Grimsby and a further copy has also been placed on display on The Royal Station, Wolferton’s website.
On boarding the train, the guard asked to see their tickets, the King began to explain with an exchange that has
become a classic,