HERO OF MAFEKING

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 144, 14 March 1931, Page 6

HERO OF MAFEKING

South African Veterans BADGE FOR BADEN-POWELL Memories of the Boer War were revived in Wellington yesterday, w T hen members of the South African Veterans’ Association paraded at. the Queen’s Wharf, and presented Lord Baden-Powell, the hero of the defence of Mafeking, prior to his departure for Sydney, with a life-membership badge of the association. Lord Baden-Powell, who was accompanied by Lady Baden-Powell, was received by Captain J. J. Clark, Dominion president of the association, and Major P. de Brandon, president of the Wellington branch. Some fifty veterans of the Boer War were on parade, all proudly wearing their medals, and some displaying as many as six. . t» Lord Baden-Powell, who was in Boy Scout uniform, passed down the line shaking hands with each man, and recalling reminiscences of the campaign. There was a good muster of Girl Guides, including Miss Enid Bell, deputycamp chief of the Dominion, and a good muster of Brown Owls. Many Boy Scouts were also on parade. . . After the inspection, the Dominion president, addressing Lord Baden-Powell, said that the members considered it would not be fitting if they allowed such a distinguished comrade to leave the Dominion without some token of esteem from comrades in New Zealand. “Your name.” said Captain Clark, “will go down in history as the defender of Mafeking, but you will have an even more lasting monument as the founder of the Boy Scout movement. The South African veterans consider they are entitled to a little reflected glory as they have an impression that the Scout idea was born in South Africa. May you be long spared to see the fruits of your labours.” “Comrades of South Africa, I can t tell you how pleased I am to meet so many of you,*’ said Lord Baden-Powell. “I consider it a great honour to be a life member of your association, as I am of the association in England.” Lord Baden-Powell went on to say that before leaving England he had received a letter of good wishes from Lord Methuen. “I have had a glorious time in New Zealand.” concluded Lord Baden-Powell, “and I am glad to see that the youth of the country are following your lead, and that they are brave men. ready to serve their King and country.” On the call of Captain Clark, three cheers were given for Lord and Lady Baden-Powell.