THE BRONZE CROSS
The Bronze Cross is the highest gallantry award the Scout Association can award and is known as “The Scout’s VC”, a reference to the well known Victoria Cross; the highest British Military Decoration.
Image: Scout Association
Like other organisations, Scout awards are made against a set of criteria as shown in the extract from Policy, Organisation & Rules (POR) which contains everything the Scout Association members are governed by.
A recommendation would of been passed to the Awards Committee containing all the detail of his actions. Sadly, the original recommendation has been lost, only the commendation survives which is far more vague in detail.
stipulating the requirements for the award of a Bronze Cross.
Image Source: Scout Association Heritage Collection
The Scout Booklet “They Were Prepared” published a list of Scout Association awards so far granted as of 30th June 1941. Although they didn’t know it then, in 1941 they were only a quarter of the way through the war. Bermondsey groups were a feature of the list.
Image source: http://www.southlondonscouts.org.uk
In the same way that British military medals are graded, so are the Scout medals. So like a Victoria Cross is senior to a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, so the Bronze Cross is senior to the Silver and Gilt Crosses.
There is more detail on the Scout Gallantry Medals page.
THE 1939-1945 DEFENCE MEDAL
The Defence Medal was awarded to those not in direct combat during World War Two, but who made a contribution to the defence of the United Kingdom at home or overseas. It was created in May 1945 to be awarded to the military and workers in the listed civilian occupations.
The medal ribbon is flame red bordered by green to signify the enemy’s attacks and destruction wrought on the green and pleasant land with the thin black stripes signifying the black out when no lights could shine outside at night for fear of guiding enemy bombers.
Greatly paraphrasing the criteria for awarding the Defence Medal, Scouts like Frank were entitled to the World War Two Defence medal if they met the following criteria (rules):
- Civil Defence service in non-operational areas subjected to air attack
- Completed three years of service between 1939 and 1945
- If service was brought to an end before the period of three years service has been completed, either by death due to enemy action when on duty, or by injuries entitling the candidate to a Wound Stripe
UK Medal Awards to Scouters
The leaflet “They Were Prepared” also listed British decorations members of the Scout Association had received as of 30th June 1941.
