Cornwell Scout Badge

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Cornwell Scout Badge
Cornwell Scout Badge.jpg
Owner The Scout Association
Founded1916
Founder The Scout Association
Awarded forPre-eminently high character and devotion to duty, together with great courage and endurance
WikiProject Scouting fleur-de-lis dark.svg  Scouting portal

The Cornwell Scout Badge is a gallantry award for Scouts of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom and some branches of the associations in other countries. The award was created in memory of Jack Cornwell, a navy sailor and Scout, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. It is awarded in recognition of devotion to duty, courage and endurance.

Contents

History

A press photograph of John Travers Cornwell VC, thought to have been posed by his younger brother, George. Jack Cornwell c.1915.jpg
A press photograph of John Travers Cornwell VC, thought to have been posed by his younger brother, George.

John Travers Cornwell, known as "Jack", was a 16-year-old Boy Seaman First Class on board the Royal Navy light cruiser, HMS Chester. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, Chester came under heavy fire from four German cruisers that she had encountered in poor visibility, incurring numerous casualties among the exposed crew members working the guns. Jack's captain later wrote; "Boy (1st Class) John Travers Cornwell of the Chester was mortally wounded early in the action. He nevertheless remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders till the end of the action, with the gun's crew dead and wounded all round him". [1]

Following Jack's death in Grimsby on 2 June, the Daily Sketch newspaper reported that he had been buried in a mass grave near his family home in Manor Park, Essex (now Greater London). The press coverage ensured that Jack became a popular hero; his body was exhumed and re-buried with full military honours on 29 July and he was awarded the Victoria Cross on 15 September. [1]

Because Jack Cornwell had been an enthusiastic member of his local Scout troop, Scouts had participated in his funeral procession and lined the route. Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout movement, posthumously awarded Jack the Bronze Cross, [2] Scouting's "highest possible award for gallantry". [3] In August 1916, the Scouts' Headquarters Gazette announced that a "Cornwell Memorial Fund" had been set up to provide apprenticeships or scholarships to those who qualified as "Cornwell Scouts" and suggested a donation of one penny from each member. On 14 September, the criteria for the Cornwell Scout Badge were announced. [2] In the original scheme, eligible boys had to be First Class Scouts, have earned certain key proficiency badges and have gained an award for bravery or "have undergone great suffering in a heroic manner". A short-lived alternative to these last requirements was to "pass a test in physical courage, such as high diving, boxing or gymnastics". [3]

The first recipient of the Cornwell Scout Badge was Patrol Leader Arthur Shepherd, who had assisted the Coastguard during the wreck of the hospital ship, HMHS Rohilla, in a severe gale at Whitby in October 1914. [4] His duties had included running messages and fetching rescue equipment along a steep narrow ledge, on a cliff that was being washed by high waves. He had also led his patrol in assisting the Coastguard during the German bombardment of Whitby in December of the same year. The badge, which was actually the manufacturer's sample and the only one in existence at the time, was presented by Baden-Powell at a rally in Middlesbrough in December 1916, in front of the Archbishop of York and 3,000 Scouts. [2]

Current usage

The current Cornwell Scout Badge of the Scout Association. KnotCornwell.jpg
The current Cornwell Scout Badge of the Scout Association.

In The Scout Association of the United Kingdom, the award of the Cornwell Scout Badge is restricted to Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network Members. Candidates must have displayed "pre-eminently high character and devotion to duty, together with great courage and endurance". [5] In 2013, four British members were awarded the Cornwell Scout Badge (one posthumously), [6] out of a total youth membership of 433,850. [7]

The Cornwell Memorial Fund still operates, and will make a grant to the Scout Group of the recipient of any of the Scout gallantry or meritorious awards, including recipients of the Cornwell Scout Badge, "in order that they can undertake an activity which involves and benefits both parties." [8]

In Scouts Canada, The Jack Cornwell Decoration is awarded on very similar criteria to its British counterpart. [9] In Scouts New Zealand, the Cornwell Scout Badge is available to youth members under the age of 19 years, the upper age limit of the Venturer Section. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scout (Scouting)</span> Member of the Scouting movement

A Scout is a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section. Scouts are organized into troops averaging 20–30 Scouts under the guidance of one or more Scout Leaders or Scoutmasters. Troops subdivide into patrols of about 6–8 Scouts and engage in outdoor and special interest activities. Troops may affiliate with local, national, and international organizations. Some national Scouting associations have special interest programs such as Air Scouts, Sea Scouts, outdoor high adventure, Scouting bands, and rider Scouts. In the USA there was around 6 million scouts in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagle Scout</span> Boy Scoutings highest award

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Scout rank has been earned by over 2.5 million youth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cub Scout</span> Scouting program for young people

Cub Scouts, Cubs or Wolf Cubs are programmes associated with Scouting for young children usually between 8 and 12, depending on the organisation to which they belong. A participant in the programme is called a Cub. A group of Cubs is called a "Pack".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Scout Association</span> Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom

The Scout Association, which also uses the name Scouts UK, is the largest Scout organisation in the United Kingdom. It's the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origins of the Scout movement in 1907, The Scout Association was formed in 1910 and incorporated in 1912 by a royal charter under its previous name of The Boy Scouts Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Cornwell</span> Recipient of the Victoria Cross

John Travers Cornwell VC, commonly known as Jack Cornwell or as Boy Cornwell, is remembered for his gallantry at the Battle of Jutland during World War I. Having died at the age of only 16, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Cornwell is the third-youngest recipient of the VC after Andrew Fitzgibbon and Thomas Flinn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Medal</span> Award

The Military Medal (MM) was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other arms of the armed forces, and to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land. The award was established in 1916, with retrospective application to 1914, and was awarded to other ranks for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire". The award was discontinued in 1993, when it was replaced by the Military Cross, which was extended to all ranks, while other Commonwealth nations instituted their own award systems in the post war period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scouts South Africa</span> National Scout association in South Africa

Scouts South Africa is the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) recognised Scout association in South Africa. Scouting began in the United Kingdom in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell and rapidly spread to South Africa, with the first Scout troops appearing in 1908. South Africa has contributed many traditions and symbols to World Scouting.

SS <i>Rohilla</i>

Rohilla was a passenger steamer of the British India Steam Navigation Company which was built for service between the UK and India, and as a troopship. After becoming a hospital ship in the First World War, She ran aground in October 1914, near Whitby, with the loss of 83 lives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquilla J. Dyess</span> Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient

Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla James Dyess was a United States Marine Corps officer who was a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" at the head of his troops during World War II, in the Battle of Kwajalein, on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands on February 2, 1944.

Cub Scouts is the section of Scouts Australia for boys and girls aged 8 to 11 (inclusive), often known simply as 'Cubs'. The Cub Scout section follows after Joey Scouts and is before Scouts. Cub Scouts wear a uniform shirt with navy blue panels, and yellow shoulders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Boy Scouts of America</span>

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was inspired by and modeled on The Boy Scouts Association, established by Robert Baden-Powell in Britain in 1908. In the early 1900s, several youth organizations were active, and many became part of the BSA.

HMS <i>Chester</i> (1915) Light cruiser

HMS Chester was a Town-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, one of two ships forming the Birkenhead subtype. Along with sister ship, Birkenhead, she was originally ordered for the Greek Navy in 1914 and was to be named Lambros Katsonis. The order was placed with Cammell Laird and production continued for the Greek account after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914. In 1915 the two cruisers were purchased by the British government. She fought at the Battle of Jutland where casualties included John 'Jack' Cornwell who was awarded the highest honour, aged 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Eagle Scout Award</span> Distinguished service award

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It is awarded to an Eagle Scout who has achieved extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their profession and/or service to the nation and has a strong record of voluntary service to their community. Stringent criteria begins with a minimum of 25 years from the official record date the Eagle Scout rank was earned, a nomination process, selection committee review, and approval by the National Eagle Scout Association. It is one of only two BSA awards presented to adults dependent upon the recipient's having been awarded Eagle Scout as a youth; the other is the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA). Recipients of the DESA are known as Distinguished Eagle Scouts.

"My Boy Jack" is a 1916 poem by Rudyard Kipling. Kipling wrote it for Jack Cornwell, the 16-year-old youngest recipient of the Victoria Cross, who stayed by his post on board the light cruiser HMS Chester at the Battle of Jutland until he died. Kipling's son John was never referred to as "Jack". The poem echoes the grief of all parents who lost sons in the First World War. John Kipling was a 2nd Lt in the Irish Guards and disappeared in September 1915 during the Battle of Loos in the First World War. The poem was published as a prelude to a story in his book Sea Warfare written about the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The imagery and theme is maritime in nature and as such it is about a generic nautical Jack, though emotionally affected by the death of Kipling's son.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct</span> Award

The Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, formerly the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct, acknowledged brave acts by both civilians and members of the armed services in both war and peace, for gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. Established by King George VI in 1939, the award was discontinued in 1994 on the institution of the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.

John Cornwell may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BL 5.5-inch Mk I naval gun</span> Naval gun, Coastal defence

The Breech Loading 5.5-inch Mk I was a naval gun used by the British Royal Navy during both World Wars.

Cornwell Secondary Modern School was a school in the district of Little Ilford, Essex. It is named after its student Jack Cornwell, one of the youngest recipients of the Victoria Cross.

The Bronze Cross Medal is the highest award for gallantry that the Scout Association can bestow on adult and child members of the movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitby Lifeboat Station</span> Lifeboat station in North Yorkshire, England

Whitby Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station located in Whitby, North Yorkshire, England. It is one of nine situated along the Yorkshire coast.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Newham Story - Jack Cornwell, "Boy 1st Class" VC". newhamstory.com. London Borough of Newham. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Walker, Colin. "The Cornwell Award: The Badge of Courage". www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk. Scouting Milestones. Archived from the original on August 14, 2007. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 Policy, Organization and Rules for Canada, The Boy Scouts' Association, The Canadian General Council, 1919 (p. 40)
  4. Brittain, Colin. "The Wreck Of The Rohilla". www.rohilla.co.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  5. "Policy Organisation and Rules - Chapter 11: Awards and Recognition of Service" (PDF). The Scout Association. September 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  6. Roll of Honour: St George's Day Award Recipients 2013 The Scout Association, 2013 (p. 3)
  7. "The Scout Association's Annual Report and Accounts 2012-2013" (PDF). The Scout Association. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  8. "HQ Grants and Funds to support local Scouting: Fact Sheet FS 103964 (p. 6)" (PDF). scouts.org.uk. The Scout Association. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  9. "Awards - For High Character and Courage (p. 2)" (PDF). scoutalog.com. Scouts Canada. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  10. "Awards for Youth - Cornwell Scout Badge". www.scouts.org.nz. Scouts New Zealand. Archived from the original on 7 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.

Patrol Leader Arthur Shepherd - the story of Arthur Shepherd, the first recipient of the Cornwell Scout Badge.