Figure 1.--This group of English Scouts was photographed camping, probably in the 1910s.

T he future of the Scouting movement was hotly contested in Britain during the 1910s. The influence of the British Boy Scouts and the World Order of Scouting helped to move Baden Powell's rather militaristis nationalist Scout Assosciation to a less military and more internationalist approach. This issue in Britain had largely been settled by the end of the decade. Much of the impetus for this international outreach came from the Brithish Scout movement. A series of postcards from early 1910s provide us some interesting insights on English Scouting in the years leading up to World War I. The campaign hat continued to be the single most destinctive element of the English Scout uniform and it was adopted by Scouts all over the world. The images also provide a look at the Scout salute, the walking stick (pervsive in early Scouting), and a little poetry added by the card publishers.

Uniform

Scouts

The English Scout uniform in the 1910s consisted of a Smokey Bear hat, light colored khaki shirt, dark short pants, and kneesocks. Many boys wore laynards, but I'm not sure what they signified. The campaign cap hat continued to be the single most destinctive elelment of the English Scout uniform and it was adopted by Scouts all over the world. This hat is called a campaign or Smokey Bear hat in the United States. I'm not sure what the English called it. One name was a "lemon squeezer" The hat came with a leather chin strap. In practice the chin strap was often not used. The Scout scarfe was another important element of the uniform and was normally a solid color. I am not sure what color or colors were worn. The knee-length shorts appear to have been a dark blue. I'm not sure why this color con\mbination was chosen. The kneesocks were a khaki brown to match the shirt.

Wolf Cubs

The Wolf Cub organization was formed during World War I in 1916. It was decided that the younger boys should have an entirely different uniform.

International Outreach

The future of the Scouting movement was hotly contested in Britain during the 1910s. The influence of the British Boy Scouts and the World Order of Scouting helped to move Baden Powell's rather militaristis nationalist Scout Assosciation to a less military and more internationalist approach. This issue in Britain had largely been settled by the 1920s. Much of the impetus for this international outreach came from the Brithish Scout movement. This became a passion on Powell's part as after World War I as fervently he preached the gospel of internmational Scouting.

Figure 2.--This English Scout appars to have mpore short badges than the first Scout in fiagures 1 and 2. The third card read, " The British Scout - Stand At Ease! The boys who learn their duties well Our admiration must compel". I am not sure what he is carrying.

Post Card Series (about 1912)

A series of postcards from about 1912 provide us some interesting insights on English Scouting in the years immediately following World War II. The campaign hat continued to be the single most destinctive elelment of the English Scout uniform and it was adopted by Scouts all over the world. The images also provide a look a the Scout salute, the walking stick (pervsive in early Scouting), and a little poetry added by the card publishers--interestingly a German company despite the most British images. We know of four photographic postcards bearing the picture of two British Scouts. There may have been more to the series. The first card read, "Salute"! The word "Salute", then " see him no With hand raised smartly to his brow". The second card raed, "A British Scout. The bonny British scouts, today Ambition fire their hearts we pray". The third card read, " The British Scout - Stand At Ease! The boys who learn their duties well Our admiration must compel". The fourth card read, "The British Scout - At The Salute. The British scout, of bull-dog breed, will give a hand in time of need". All four cards were published by E.A. Schwerdtteger & Co. London E. C printed at their works in Berlin. An E-bay seller dated the cards to 1922 because one was postally used in that year. It is very unlikely that cards for the British market, however, would gave been published in Germany so soon after World War I. Almost certainly these cards were printed before the War.

Activities

Wec note English Scouts in the 1910s involved in a wide range of activities. Many available images show outdoor activities like hiking and camping. The first real Scout activity was Baden Powell's camp at Brown Sea Island and camping continued to be particularly important toi early Scouts. We note many activities at camp in which the boys are engaged.

World War I

The major event during the 1910s was of course World War I. Germany in August 1914 invaded France through Belgium and Britain came to their assistance. The Scouts palyed an active role on the home front. I have not yet, however, been able to find details. I believe they were involved in agricultural labor as weell as many other publis sdervice activities. This is an interesting topic I want to persue, but to date have been unsucessful in finding any actual information. Hopefully our English readers will be able to provide some information.

Individual Scouts

We have some information on invidual Scouts during the 1910s. We have some information about Vere Talbot Bayly and his friend Roy from Bath, England. Both were active Scouts as early as 1910-11.