The great-great-grandson of one of the first Scouts to camp on Brownsea Island has spoken of his joy at seeing his ancestor’s name on a plaque there.

Bill Watts told staff at his care home, The Aldbury in Poole, of his wish to find out if a commemorative plaque bearing the name of his great-great-grandfather Bertie Watts was still in position on the site of the camp.

Staff were quick to organise a boat trip to the island for Bill and two other residents, Tony Husband and Jeanette Macklin, and arranged for the party to be met by Bill’s daughters Karen and Jane.

From family visits in years gone by, Bill recalled seeing Bertie’s name on the list of 20 boys who took part in Lord Baden Powell’s ‘experimental’ August 1907 camp.

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It was designed to test ideas for Baden Powell’s book Scouting for Boys, which led to the rapid growth of the Scout movement.

The boys, drawn from different social backgrounds, spent eight summer days on Brownsea, learning about camping alongside lessons in chivalry, lifesaving, woodcraft, wildlife observation and patriotism.

The Aldbury party on the boat across Poole Bay to Brownsea Island Picture: Colton Care

Visiting nearly 118 years later, great great-grandson Bill was cheered to see the plaque was still there showing Bertie’s name among the ‘patrol members’.

A handwritten signature, ‘B. Watts’, also appears on the list of attendees copied from Scout movement note paper and put on display at the campsite.

Bill said: “It brought back good memories of seeing the plaque on trips with the family years ago. We always enjoyed visiting.

“I’m so glad to see Brownsea Island hasn’t changed that much. I had a great day out with daughters and friends.”

Bill’s Brownsea connections also include time spent at the island’s 19th-century St Mary’s Church where, as a stained-glass glazier, he worked on repairs to some of its windows.

The Aldbury party by the ‘Scout stone’ on Brownsea Island Picture: Colton Care

Tony and Jeanette have strong links with Brownsea too. Jeanette is a former Girl Guide and has fond memories of camping there while Tony sailed around the island on Poole Bay trips over many years in his sailing boat.

After a picnic and a spot of wildlife watching, including sight of a native red squirrel, Jeanette said: “It was a perfect day out and we picked up lots of interesting facts about the island.”

Trip organiser Melissa Siat, a companion at The Aldbury, one of four dedicated dementia care homes owned and run by Colten Care, said: “It was a pleasure to enable our lovely residents Bill, Jeanette and Tony to enjoy exploring what is one of their favourite islands.

“Bill was also so happy to be greeted by his two daughters on arrival.”