Figure 1.--Here we see the Assistant Scout Master plume with its characteristic red bristles. Click on the image to see the Senior Assistant Scout Master plume with the large "S" added for senior..

Plumes were worn by senior scouters almost from the beginning of Scouting. The plumes were worn n the hat. They were worn until 1967 when they were discontinued following the recommndations of the Advanced Party Report. There were a ride range of plumes. They varied both in color as well as lettes and detailing on the fleur-de-lis device at the bace of the plume. A representative plume can be seen here. The colors and designs were basically unchanged from 1910-67. The major plumes were as follows:

Variety of Plumes

We note quite a variety of plumes worn by British Scouters. There were many different colored bristles. There were also stars and letters used in the fleur-de-lis device which identified the rank of the individual and the level of Scouting. The metal holder for the colored bristles were made in different metals.

Scout Master

The Scout Master had green bristles. The Assistant Scout Master had red bristles. The District Scout Master had white bristles.

Senior Scout Master

The Senior Scout Mater had green bristles and a large "S" for Senior in the centre. The Senior Assistant Scout Master had red bristles with a large "S" in the centre. The Senior District Scout Master had white bristles with a large "S" in the centre.

Rover Scout Leader

The Rover Scout Leader has Green bristles with "R" & "S" for Rover Scouts instead of the Stars used in the Scout and Senior Scout Master plumes. The Assistant Rover Scout Leader has red bristles with "R" & "S" insteed of Stars. The District Rover Scout Leader has White bristles with "R" & "S" insteed of Stars.

High Ranking Officers

The Group Scout Master has Green/White/Green bristles. The District Auxillery has yellow bristles. The Commissioner has purple bristles. The District Secretary has Black/Red/Black bristles. The County Secretary has Black/Blue/Black bristles. The Gilwell Staff has Kingfisher Blue bristles. The Chief Scout of Wales has Yellow/Green bristles. The Deputy / Local Chief Scout has Yellow/Green/Red bristles. The Chief Scout has Yellow/Green/Red bristles. [Ford}

Other Countries

We do not known to what extent plumes were worn in other countries. We do note them in American Scouting.

Sources

Ford, Peter. Scouting Past and Present Archives. E-mail message, December 15, 2004.