Baden Powell Boy Scouts

[orasot]

Hi Gents,
This came as part of an auction lot I bought recently, I will be selling it so please bear that in mind if answering!! Just wondered if anyone could give any info on it as I know nothing on these! Thanks in advance,
Wilf.

[Peter Aitkens]

Mmm. Top half does not seem to match with bottom half. Top half - fine detail and well made. Bottom half - crude and looks to have been brazed on at a later date.

[johnG]

Hi Wilf,
'Baden Powell Boy Scouts' are Scouts who follow the traditional way of scouting. But that badge intrigues me as the Baden-Powell Scouts Association was not established in UK until 1970 by members of the movement who felt the old traditions were being lost.

The Tudor (Kings) crown has me puzzled and I look forward to reading what others, better informed than me have to say about it, failing which I will make some guesses.

Added later: I have just read Peter's reply which is along the lines of my thinking, that the top half has nothing to do with the bottom half.

Regards,

John

[orasot]

Thanks Lads, here's the back, BPBS is one piece, attached to the crown, 3 lugs are all the same plus same colour so would appear to have been done at the same time, only one loop to the top piece, I would expect 2 if it was for something else?? Appreciate the comments, cheers,
Wilf.

[orasot]

Should have added, this came with it too, marked silver to the rear with
REGD No 563052 on the bottom,
Wilf.

[manchesters]

Wilf,

Your first badge does look correct from the rear.

the second badge is a Baden-Powell Girl Guides Promise Badge dating from around WW1.

regards

[johnG]

Among my books is 'The Boy Man' by Tim Jeal. 'The life of Baden Powell', and in it I find a reference to the 'Scouts Defence Corps' raised by Baden Powell in 1915, followed by 'Service Scouts', and I read of a quarter of a million Scouts serving in WW1, with 10 000 of them being killed.

There is quite a bit to wade through in what is a rather hefty volume, but I will press on as I think I might find the answer there.

John

[Phil2M]

Some times badges like this are / were made to represent events or ceremonies. I have this one (below) which is official issue, made from cast lead, awarded after a secret ceremony in Sweden. Yes this one was issued to me and no I can't remember what the ceremony was all about, the whole week was utterly exhausting and it was one of the last things we did, i do remember it was done at night The thing is that unless you were there or did the ceremony at some future date, which very few people get to do, you would never know what this badge of mine was for (not even the top people in the Scout Association would know, Bear Grylls would probably just eat it).

[Hussar100]

Ah yes, Bear Grylls. That adventurer who served three years with the TA (Artists Rifles), never saw combat and who now chooses to tell us all how to live in the wild?

What an arse.

[orasot]

Thanks again for all the contributions, especially John G for his determined attempt to ID this for me, much appreciated John. Cobbled together is an interesting phrase!! I know this is 2 separate pieces, that was never the issue here, the BPBS is one piece brazed onto the crown of the top piece, if this top piece had 2 lugs I would agree with the cobbled comment but as Simon rightly said earlier the back looks right, so I'll keep searching for an ID, Phil's comment is very helpful too , thanks mate. Interesting also in Magpie's link the comments about BBS v BPBS, could be a link here, I'll report back if I find anything anyway, cheers lads,
Wilf.

[johnG]

Originally Posted by Hussar100

Ah yes, Bear Grylls. That adventurer who served three years with the TA (Artists Rifles), never saw combat and who now chooses to tell us all how to live in the wild?

What an arse.

I thoroughly agree and am dismayed at him being appointed Chief Scout for UK.

John

[Phil2M]

Ray Mears will be next !!!!!

[Hussar100]

It'll not be long before it's Julian Clary.

[High Wood]

I bought these today because of the Great War connection even though I do not collect Boy Scout badges. The 1914 badge speaks for itself but the circular red badge was awarded for 30 days 'war service'.