King’s & Queen’s Scouts

The King’s Scout Award, previously the King’s Scout Badge, Queen’s Scout Badge, and Queen’s Scout Award, is currently the highest progressive award achievable for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members, with an upper age limit of 25.

In November 1909, at the request of Robert Baden-Powell, King Edward VII approved the King’s Scout Badge. It was awarded to First Class Scouts who had passed the Guide’s badge and three of Ambulance, Bugler, Cyclist, Marksman, Seaman and Signaller, and was worn on the left sleeve.

After the formal establishment of the Senior Scout section in 1946, only Senior Scouts (or Boy Scouts over 15 years of age) could become King’s Scouts. The upper age limit at that time was 18.

The award was renamed from King’s Scout to Queen’s Scout by April 1952, with the accession and approval of Queen Elizabeth II.

It was upon the introduction of Venture Scouts who replaced Senior Scouts, that the upper age limit was increased to 20 and ‘Badge’ was replaced by ‘Award’.

In addition to the changes above, there have also been changes to the requirements necessary in order to gain the Award. However, for the most part the key elements still focus on personal development, camping & expedition skills and community service.

Since 1947, individuals who achieved the King’s Scout or Queen’s Scout Award received a certificate with a facsimile signature of the monarch at that time. The certificate for a King’s Scout was headed by a stylised Royal coat of arms of the monarch and stated:

“AS A KING’S SCOUT you have prepared yourself for service to God and your fellow-men, and have shown yourself a worthy member of the great SCOUT BROTHERHOOD. I wish you God-speed on your journey through life; may it prove for you a joyous adventure.”

Holders of the Badge/Award can be called upon to perform a variety of Royal and Civic duties. There are several occasions when those from Finchley, Friern Barnet and Golders Green have undertaken these tasks that ranged from providing a guard of honour at specific functions to providing assistance at Buckingham Palace Garden Parties. Other examples from the past include performing duties at Coronation and Jubilee celebrations. In 1960 one Queen’s Scout from Finchley had the honour of helping to unwrap and display the wedding gifts that arrived at Clarence House for Princess Margaret.

For many however, their highlight was being selected to take part in the National St. George’s Day Parade at Windsor Castle. The King’s Scouts march into the Quadrangle where the parade is reviewed by a representative of the Royal Family. They then march through the castle and down to St. George’s Chapel, where they take part in the National Scout Service.

There were also, from time to time, special rewards made by the District. There are records that show some holders of the award were taken to the London Gang Show while others attended dinner receptions.

Below is a record of the Awards known to have been made in the District. Unfortunately this is not complete and no details can be found of Awards made to members of the Friern Barnet and Golders Green Scouts prior to them joining Finchley. Additional names will be added if submitted and verified.

Please note that a knock on effect of the changes that took place relating to Senior Scouts and Venture Scouts is the reason for the 4 year gap between the last Queen’s Scout Badge being awarded in 1968 and the first new Queen’s Scout Award being gained in 1972.

Note: Names have been obtained from Group records and from press cuttings. Where the actual number of Badges gained for a specific year is known, but does not agree with the number of names quoted, this is indicated.

Roll of Honour

King’s Scout Badge

Queen’s Scout Badge

Queen’s Scout Award

Gallery

To view associated photographs and press cuttings click here.

Memories

Going back to olden times, I was presented with my King’s Scout certificate at Eton College in 1950 by the Chief Scout, Lord Rowallan. On the Saturday we camped on the Eton Playing Fields and on the Sunday we marched past King George VI.

Derek Warren – 15th Finchley (KS 1950)

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Eight Scouts gained the Queen’s Scout badge during Coronation year and, as was fitting, many of the duties in connection with Coronation celebrations were entrusted to them. In recognition of their efforts, they were entertained by the Local Association at the final performance of ‘Boy Scout’ at the Royal Albert Hall, where they had the box next to the Royal Box which on that occasion was occupied by the Chief Scout. The Local association proposes to make some appropriate recognition of the merit of Scouts who gain their Q/S badge in future years.

District Annual Report (1954)

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I remember that shortly after receiving my award I was asked to help on the last day of Lambeth Conference at the White City Stadium. Along with Peter Cox we acted as Stewards and also escorted Bishops from one location to another, prior to the final service taking place. Later in the year we had the privilege to act as part of a Guard of Honour to Princess Margaret when she attended the London Gang Show at the Odeon in Temple Fortune. And, what a great show it was too.

Philip Knowles – 21st Finchley (QS 1968)

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I gained my Queen’s Scout Badge in 1968, just completing it in time, under the old system. That same year I formed part of the Guard of Honour for Princess Margaret when she attending the London Gang Show in Temple Fortune. Later, I was able to go to a Buckingham Palace Tea Party where they put me in charge of traffic control in the courtyard, well it seemed to me I was in charge. And, in 1969 I was fortunate to parade at Windsor when Derek Warren led the North London contingent (we had to go to a special training day with an army instructor with the result that our contingent headed the parade).

Frank Phillip – 15th Finchley VSU (QS 1968)

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The best thing I remember was, along with Laurie Ockleford and Frank Phillip, being selected by the District to form part of the County contingent at the 1969 National Scout Service (St. Georges Day Parade) at Windsor Castle, where 1000 Queen’s Scouts from across the country gather each year.

In preparation we had to undergo a uniform inspection as well as some marching practice the day before, at the Territorial Army Base in Kingsbury.

On the actual day we were taken by coach to Windsor and after a photograph of our contingent told to report to the Royal Mews. There we discovered that it was necessary to go through another uniform inspection, and there were numerous Scouts present who had responsibility for sewing on buttons and polishing shoes. After a lengthy wait we met up and with the other two contingents from London that formed our marching section. It was with great pride that our section, led by Derek Warren (our ADC Venture Scouts) headed the parade down the high street, into Windsor Castle and then the quadrangle for the official salute. We then entered St George’s Chapel for the service.

After the service we left by the rear door and formed up again on the lawn. After a hearty three cheers we marched back to the Royal Mews, where we were formally dismissed.

A great day and one I will never forget.

Peter Cox – 9th Finchley (QS 1968)

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We were very proud on going to Windsor in 1978 to see our son Paul, and Richard Fensome (15th Finchley) at the Queen’s Scout Parade on St George’s Day.

Ken & Mavis Densham

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We had a session run by the County of learning how to be shouted at and to march (I think that it was run at Scout Park, Bounds Green) and on the day they organised a coach for us to go to Windsor.

On arrival we left our coats in the stables and went to Combermere Barracks to be inspected, form up and practise. We were split into sections for this and for some reason I can remember that I was in section T.

Inspection was extremely thorough: no rogue badges, everything sewn on properly, no missing buttons, shoes and belts polished, even the correct colour of sock.

Scarves were not a problem as back then most adult leaders (male ones, at least) and the Venture Scouts wore ties. (I don’t know why that has changed so that nowadays most people wear a Group/District/County/random special event scarf. The only scarves that you used to see on adults were the Gilwell scarf, which again for reasons unknown is rare nowadays.)

There was to be nothing worn over the uniform unless there was an actual blizzard. And a simultaneous earthquake.

We marched through the town (parents everywhere on the route) and into the Quadrangle. I think that the member of the royal family present that day was Prince Michael of Kent, and of course he stopped to speak not to me but to the Venture Scout next to me.

Afterwards we went into the Chapel for the service, then outside to be addressed by the Chief Scout (Michael Walsh in my day).

Somehow Mum, Dad and I managed to miss the coach home (someone clearly didn’t do a headcount…) and had to return by train.

As a Queen’s Scout I went to two Buckingham Palace Garden Parties as “staff” and remember the contrast between the “royal” parts and the “backstage” parts of the building. At one of the parties I was delegated to open car doors for arriving VIPs, and one of mine was Margaret Thatcher.

I can’t remember whether it was before or after the Parade, but for London Queen’s Scouts the badge and certificate were presented by the Chief Scout at the Guildhall. I remember meeting two Venture Scouts from Edgware who must have been exceptionally keen – they not only had the QSA but also the Explorer Belt, and yet they had only fairly recently joined Venture Scouts. I think that they were still 16.

It was a few years later that I found out that my wife Deborah had been on the same Parade as me.

Andrew Rush – 6th Friern Barnet (QS 1985)