WORLD CHIEF SCOUT PASSES

Grey River Argus, 10 January 1941, Page 9

WORLD CHIEF SCOUT PASSES

LORD BADEN POWELL Burial in Kenya [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, January 8. The death lias occurred of Lord Baden-Powell, founder and head ot the Scout Movement, at his home in Kenya. He was in his eighty-fourth year. . ... Lord Baden-Powell had been in Hlhealth for some time. Pie spent part of his last days in preparing a Christmas card which was received at the Imperial headquarters of the ScoSit Movement in London. One of the illustrations on the card shows Herr Hitler who, said the Chief Scout, “has done more than any other ’man to consolidate our nation at home and overseas.” After commending the Scout Movement for its work, he ended: “Go to it and win the war.” Lord Baden-Powell suffered from recurrent heart attacks, numbering seven in eight weeks, but his condition was reported as improved 'at the end of November. Lord Baden Powell is being buried, as he wished, in a wild corner of the garden at his home at Nyeri. When tlie news of Lord BadenPowell’s deatli was received at Imperial headquarters in London, it was decided that Scouts throughout the world should hold memorial services this Sunday or the following i Sunday. The funeral will take place in Kenya.

LAPSE OF TITLE. (Received January 9, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 8. The Boy Scout headquarters has indicated that the title of World Chief Scout lapses as the result of Lord Baden Powell’s death. It was conferred on hi mby acclamation when the Scouts of the World Jamboree, in 1920, hailed him as Chief. SERVICES IN NEW ZEALAND.

WELLINGTON, January 9. Local services in memory of the Chief Scout will be held throughout, New Zealand on February 23, Founder’s Day and the birthday, not only of Lord Baden Powell, but also of his wife. , In addition, a' national service will be held at Wellington on that date. Both Scouts and Guides will take part.

DISTINGUISHED CAREER. Robert Stephenson Smyth BadenPowell, first Baron of Gilwell, was born in 1857. a son of Rev. Professor Baden-Powell, of Oxford. Pie was educated at Charterhouse. In 1876 he joined the 13th. Hussars, with which he served in India, Afghanistan, and in South Africa, where he became colonel of irregular light horse. In 1897 he was promoted to the command of the sth. Dragoon Guards. When the South African War broke out, he was in Mafeking, which was invested by the Boers from October 1899, till May 17 1900, when it'was relieved. During the. siege, BadenPowell showed a bold front, and by unconventional methods and ingenious ruses held off the assault. He was promoted major-general, and organised the Soutii African Constabulary. From 1903 to 1907. he was InspectorGeneral of Cavalry, and in 1908 was made lieutenant-general. Two years later he left the Army to devote himself to the Boy Scout movement. In 1909 Baden-Powell was knighted and in 1921 he received a baronetcy. He also received many other distinctions, British and foreign. With his wife he made several tours of Africa, finding scouts even in the most remote spots and among the natives. In 1929 the coming-of-age of the movement was celebrated by a great jamboree near Birkenhead, in which more than 30,000 of the 2,000,000 scouts took part. In that year the Chief Scout’s work was recognised by his elevation to the peerage as Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, after Gilwell Park Essex, which had been presented ’to the movement as a training camp for scoutmasters. The scouts of the world presented him with a Rolls-Royce car and a caravan trailer, a cheque for £2,750, and his portrait in oils. In 1934, at the age of 77, he began with his wife another of his many tours abroad to review his scouts—a nine months’ journey, during whica he visited Ceylon, Malaya, Now Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States. _ Lord Baden-Powell wrote 21 books, among which is “My Adventures as a Spy.” relating his experiences as an intelligence officer in his early days. In this role his gift for sketching proved very useful. Going through Europe as a “naturalist,” he brought back many “nature studies,” disguising plans of fortifications as butterflies and such objects. He drew portraits very cleverly and at official functions his pencil was never idle. His pictures were exhibited at Burlington Galleries, and a piece of his sculpture at the Royal Academy.

N.Z. SCOUTS’ CONDOLENCE. AUCKLAND, January 9. The following message has been sent to Lady Baden-Powell, by His Excellency the Governor-General: “Scouts in New Zealand deplore the passing of the beloved Chief Scout, and offer their most sincere and heartfelt sympathy. His great work and inspiring leadership will never be forgotten. —Galway, Dominion Chief Scout.”