Cambridge District Scout Archives
The following list has been compiled from individual entries, no single source exists in the District Archives. I do not believe it to be complete. Please do contact the Archives if you know of anyone who is missing from the list, with or without a date.
A list of Medals of Merit may appear at a later date but they are generally less trumpeted and a list from individual sources is likely to be even less complete. Local gazettes are not available before the start of the Grafton Street Gazette. One early report is that of Rev H F Kirkpatrick SM of the 8th, who was awarded the Medal of Merit in May 1922.
St George’s Day Awards
- The Silver Acorn is not normally awarded until after at least an Award for Merit has been gained and a further five years’ service has been completed. Thus, it is seldom awarded for less than 20 years service, which should be specially distinguished and appreciably better than outstanding.
- The Bar to the Silver Acorn may be awarded for at least a further 5 years of similarly distinguished service.
- The Silver Wolf is the unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout and is only awarded for service of a most exceptional nature – it is seldom awarded for less than 30 years service
2019
- Frank Lee SA 11th/9th
2011
- Barrie Sheehan Silver Wolf
2010
- Jane Carter SA bar 30 years
2009
- Chuck Lilley Silver Wolf 50 years
- Chris Ward SA 30 years
- Phil Garrett SA Bar
- Pam Butler SA
2008
2007
- Rob Farringdon Silver Wolf 50 years
2006
- R Chambers SA Bar 50 years
- T Claydon SA 40 years
- Roger Woollard SA Bar
- Michael Wright SA 40
- Brain Crow
2005
- Geoff Oliver SA
- Pauline West SA 25
- Will Bull SA
2004
- Robert Benton SA Bar 50 years
- Tony Claydon SA
- John Wallman Silver Wolf
2003
- Jane Carter SA
- Rob Farringdon SA Bar
2002
- Mervyn West SA 30
2001
2000
- Terry Izzard Silver Wolf 50 years
1999
- Roger Woollard SA
1995
- Terry Izzard SA
1984
- Chuck Lilley SA
1983
- John Wallman SA
- Barry Howe SA
- Lettice Dawson SA
- Tony Billinghurst SA
- Bob Greenwood 23rd SA
1979
- John Chambers Bar to Silver Acorn 13th
- Vic Barnes SA
- Fred Coston SA 13th
- Rose Coston Silver Wolf 13th
- Gary Pugh SA
1978
- Beryl Tabbit SA
- Ken North Silver Wolf
- Jock Dawson Silver Wolf
- Alan McKenzie Silver Wolf
1977
- Maurice Howard SA
- F E Isaacson Silver Wolf
1976
- Mr Woollard SA
1975
- Col Mainwaring Silver Wolf
- Mr McKenzie Silver Wolf 11th South Cambs DC
1974
- Reg Ayres Silver Wolf
- Dr Dawson SA
- Ken North SA Scout shop
- Mr Cotton SA
- John Chambers SA
- Mrs Gardener Smith SA
- Edgar Tillt SA
- Jim Green SA
1973
- Rose Coston SA
- Bill Thurbon WTT Silver Wolf
1972
- Brigadier Duchesne Silver Wolf CC
- Oswald Bell Silver Wolf CC (from newspaper report date unclear)
1971
- Mackrow Silver Wolf 12th
1970
- Fred Feary Silver Wolf 23rd 50 years an SL Stated to be only the third ever awarded in Cambridgeshire – it is the fourth listed here.
1968
- Irene Long (Rene) SA 42nd 40 years pack and district
1966
- Derek Pearce Silver Wolf
1964
- FAJ McKenzie
1961
- Professor Patrick Duff Silver Wolf County Sec.
Gilwell Archives has a list of Silver Acorn, Bar to Silver Acorn and Silver Wolf recipients that finished at some point in the mid – late 1950’s. The five names below are the only ones that appear on that list. Note Ken North MM was not listed.
The list did not include the very early Silver wolf awarded for 24 badges.
1958
- Fred Feary SA 23rd ADC Cubs
1955
- Howard Mallet Silver Wolf DC
1954
- R P Ayres SA ADC (S) Cambridgeshire
1952
- Mackrow SA 12th ACC Training
1947
- Ken North MM
1944
- R H Mallet SA
The Right Reverend E S Gresford Jones received the above example of a Silver Acorn in 1943. He has previously been involved in scouting in Cambridge District for many years in several roles. He was ACC Training Officer in 1931.
The Silver Acorn was offered for sale for £200 with the following description: This is a Rare piece of Vintage Silver Scout Memorabilia. Made in Heavy Solid Sterling Silver it is the Issue 2A Acorn Award Medal that would have been worn on a Jacket with a Ribbon and Bar and was awarded for at least 20 years of Distinguished Service. What makes this piece even rarer is that it is engraved on the back with RT. REV. E. M. GRESFORD – JONES – 23 . 4 . 43. Then Edward Michael Gresford – Jones went on to become the Bishop of St Albans from 1950 – 1970. It is fully hallmarked on the bottom with DGC for the maker Daniel George Collins, the date letter R for 1941, the Anchor for Birmingham Assay Office, the Lion Passant mark for Silver and it has been electronically tested at a precious metal refinery to confirm the metal content. The jump ring is also stamped with the Lion Passant. It weighs 14.3g and measures 31mm diameter. The fob is in a used but good condition for its age with just minor surface marks and wear.
Silver Wolf for 24 badges
In the very earliest proposals a level 4 for 24 proficiency badges was proposed –the Silver Wolf. This moved to being either 24 Proficiency badges or 12 badges and extraordinary performance or repeated acts of bravery, endurance or self sacrifice. Later it became purely an award for the extraordinary acts, and the badge connection was dropped.
1911 A terrible shock has been dealt to scouts in Cambridge by the death of Scoutmaster William Wright, a second year undergraduate of Queens’ College. Joining when he first came to Cambridge he worked with Scoutmaster Spiller of the 7th and Scoutmaster Curzon of the 1st and had already attained the 24 highest honours badges which secured him the title of ‘Silver Wolf’. Cambridge News 29/09/1911
JWR Archivist Jan 2019
