Recovery and Remembrance

By the end of the War the Scouts had made an outstanding contribution to the war effort both on the Home Front and in the Armed Forces.  It was a contribution that was recognised at the highest level, David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister, stated that:

“It is no small matter to be proud of, that the Association was able within a month of the outbreak of war to give the most energy and intelligent help in all kinds of service.  When the boyhood of a nation can give such practical proofs of its honour, straightness and loyalty there is not much danger of that nation going under, for these boys are in training to render service to their country as leaders in all walks of life in the future.”

The Scout Association did not come through the war unscathed.  Over 84,000 former Scouts and Group Leaders had enlisted in the Armed Forces and over 8,000 of them were killed.  The loss of these men, many of whom had been involved in Scouting from its earliest days was a great blow to the Association and one that was replicated in Scout groups all over the world.  However, the experiences gained by the Scouts who had under taken such important war work meant that there was a new generation of leaders ready and able to take on the responsibility of rebuilding and developing Scouting.

War Memorials were erected honouring those who had been killed between 1914 – 1918 and every year since Scouts have taken part in acts of Remembrance to continue that commemoration.