Jack Hunter ("Etubom")
When Jack Hunter arrived in Brazil in 1930 he was already an experienced Scouter, with Wood Badge taken at Gilwell Park. He started the 2nd English Speaking Boy Scouts of São Paulo in 1931. At the time the 1st São Paulo E.S. Boy Scouts was run by Jimmy Macintyre. Etubom was also responsible for setting up a Rover Crew, very possibly the first in Brazil. Unfortunately the only records we have are in the Memoirs.
Early Beginnings of the 2nd São Paulo English Speaking Boy Scouts
Extracted from the Carajás Memoirs[1]
During 1930 Jack Hunter, later on to be known as "Etubom" arrived in São Paulo. He was a qualified Scouter with a wood badge taken in Gilwell and a personal friend of Hubert Martin, the International Commissioner for the UK. Jack Hunter joined the English Speaking Scout Association and this was a great incentive and apart from forming the first Rover Crew in 1931, together with Paddy Nixon, both gentleman went on the form the 2nd São Paulo Scout Troop in the same year with meetings held at the Stables of the Sicialianos´ house on the Av. Paulista.
Following the 1932 Revolution, the 1st. Troop was foundering for lack of a Leader, Jimmy Macintyre had left São Paulo for the interior. Typical of Etubom’s wisdom and Scouting experience, when asked if the 2nd. Troop would accept incorporation of the remaining 1st.Troop, his answer was “I shall have to consult the Patrol Leaders Council of both Troops”. Etubom was elected Committee Chairman in 1932 and, in 1933, I.H.Q. London nominated him Commissioner for British Scouts in Brazil.
5th. WORLD JAMBOREE - HOLLAND
Travel being by sea in those days, the Jamboree Contingent left Brazil early in July and the 2nd. São Paulo was represented by: Jack Hunter, Frank Dawe, Tom Gregory (Cobra PL.) and Billy Pond (Eagle PL.). Two more Scouts from the 1st. Baden-Powell Group of Rio joined them for this great Jamboree, the last before the War and the last at which the Chief Scout of the World, Baden-Powell would be present. They all personally greeted the Chief who visited the camp-site of the British Scouts from Brazil, giving Etubom a replica of the Jacob Staff, the Jamboree symbol, in the Troop room to this day.[1]
Jack Hunter invites Toby Shellard
Towards the end of 1940, scouting activities were suspended because of Brazilian Federal government intervention in the Brazilian Scout Movement at the time of Getulio Vargas´ dictatorship. Incentivated by Etubom, one or two further Pirituba get-togethers wer held in late 1941 and early 1942, including a boys camp organised and run by him for some 70 youngsters, many of whom were Old Scouts and Cubs.
Upon arriving at SPAC one afternoon in mid 1942 to play a game of Rugby Five´s I was waylaid in the entrance hall by Jack Hunter, still known to me as Etubom. Toby, he said, you are just the man I was looking for. Toby started his leadership with the Bandeirantes Boys Club at the Fellowship Church. The activities of the Bandeirantes Boys Club were all scouting based, at the time Scouting was banned.[1]
In May 1944, Toby and the Bandeirantes Boys Club was invited to join the Associação Escoteiros São Paulo by Eugene Pfister, Georges de Baére, Walter Schlithler and José Spina. On the 23rd September 1944 the Bandeirantes Boy Club member and Toby renewed their Scout oaths and became the newly formed Tribu Carajás.
Etubon's Family
We have very few references of Jack Hunter and his family. His son Ken Hunter was also a scout in the 1940's. We understand Jack Hunter retired to England.
Roles
1931 - Scouter and founder of 2nd English Speaking Boy Scouts São Paulo - now Grupo Escoteiro Carajás
1931 - Founder Clan Gilwell (now Clan Gilwell Carajás)
1933 - Commissioner for IHQ London
International Role Scout Association
1933 - Nominated Commissioner for British Scouts in Brazil. There were British Troops in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Niteroi)
Awards
1938 - Medal of Merit Scout Association