Each Remembrance Sunday, Scouts in cities, towns and villages across the UK show their support for the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. This year is made all the more poignant for the fact that 2018 is the centenary of the armistice, bringing an end to the First World War.
As Britain entered the First World War on 4 August 1914, Robert Baden-Powell – founder of the Scout Movement – volunteered Scouts to support the war effort. They weren’t to have a military role but could undertake work that released men for service in the armed forces. The skills learned through Scouting proved very useful in carrying out a range of jobs, including working on farms, delivering messages, watching coastlines, fetching hospital supplies, and guarding railway lines.
Towards the end of the war, Scouts worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to help keep records of where the fallen were buried. Cubs carried out work knitting socks and stuffing pillows for wounded soldiers, and with many mothers taking up new jobs to help the war effort, were also encouraged to learn skills for helping out at home.
During the First World War, the age range for Scouts was 11 to 18 years and compulsory education finished at 12 years old. Scouts who were still in education were discouraged from letting war work interfere with their schooling, although some did try and use it as an excuse to miss lessons!
The Royal British Legion Thank You Campaign
100 years ago the First World War ended, and a new world began. The example and experience of those who lived through it shaped the world we live in today. In 2018 The Royal British Legion is leading the nation in saying Thank You to all who served, sacrificed and changed our world.
On 3rd August 2018, The Royal British Legion launched a mass movement to say ‘Thank You’ to all who served, sacrificed, and changed our world during the First World War. The charity is calling on mass involvement from the public to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
All communities are being encouraged to join the movement by expressing their thanks this year, with over 250 community events organised so far to say a mass ‘Thank You’ to those who put Britain on the path to becoming what it is today.
Find out more about the Thank You Campaign and join in the conversation using #thankyou100.
Why are we uniting?
The Royal British Legion supports the armed forces community, past and present. Scouting was active throughout the world wars and as such, we want to support the Royal British Legion to remember those that were affected by them. This is an incredible charity and one that we are privileged to be in partnership with. Especially as we now have a wonderful Poppy Range to share with Scouters and their families which we hope the movement will proudly wear on Remembrance Sunday.
What does the Poppy symbolise?
The first Poppy Appeal was held in 1921, the founding year of The Royal British Legion. Red silk poppies, inspired by the famous First World War poem In Flanders Fields, sold out instantly and raised more than £106,000. The funds were vital, helping WWI veterans find employment and housing after the war.
The following year, the Poppy Factory was set up, employing disabled ex-Servicemen to create poppies to sell during the appeal. Today, the factory still produces millions of poppies each year. By wearing a poppy, you aren’t just remembering the fallen: you’re supporting a new generation of veterans and service personnel that need support.
The Poppy Range
We’re proud to introduce a range of produced in partnership with The Royal British Legion. 50% of the proceeds from the sale of each item will directly benefit The Royal British Legion charity to support the valuable work, with the other 50% going back to UK Scouting.
Thank you: A huge thank you to The Royal British Legion for enabling the Scouts and Scout Store to be involved in this amazing campaign.
Make sure you get your poppies ready for Remembrance Sunday – and all year round!