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; I know of at least one missing from Compass records. Please do contact the Archives if you know of anyone who is missing from the list, with or without a date. At least two recipients have two dates for the same award. In these cases it is not clear which is correct.
This list falls into four parts.
Earliest Silver Wolf for 24 badges (see below for details)
Pre 1944 Silver Wolf was reserved for significant National and International work. Very few were issued anywhere; before 1953 the maximum was 28 in one year and usually less than 10. None have been identified in Cambridgeshire.
1944 – c.1960 Has been confirmed by record at Gilwell Archives.
1960 + No separate list exists. These entries have been picked individually from records. Later entries have been taken from ‘Compass’ but these do not include those without a current role.
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
| 2020 | SA bar | |
| David Smith | ||
| 2018 | ||
| Frank Lee | SA | 11th/9th |
| Tony Claydon | SA bar |
| 2017 | ||
| Chris Scott | SA | 14th |
| Colin Daniel | SA | Temp DC |
| 2015 | ||
| Dr Ian Hinton | Silver Wolf | W & D |
| 2011 | ||
| Barrie Sheehan | Silver Wolf | |
| Julie Anne Farrington | SA | 50th |
| Tracey Jane Farrington | SA | 50th |
| Wendy Anne Stanley | SA | 50th |
| 2010 | ||
| Jane Carter | SA Bar | 30 years |
| Jill Hallas | SA | 27th |
| 2009 | ||
| Chris Ward | SA | 30 years |
| Phil Garrett | SA Bar | |
| Pam Butler | SA | DC |
2007
| Rob Farrington | Silver Wolf | 23rd 50 years 50th |
| Richard Hames | SA Bar | CC |
| 2006 | ||
| Chuck Lilley | Silver Wolf | 23rd 50 years |
| R Chambers | SA Bar | 50 years |
| T Claydon | SA | 40 years 50th |
| Roger Woollard | SA Bar | 13th & shop |
| Michael Wright | SA | 40 years |
| Brain Crow | SA | 14th |
| Linda Pauley | SA | 54th |
| John Mills | SA | 7ht/23rd &13th |
| 2005 | ||
| Barrie Sheehan | SA Bar | 26th |
| Geoff Oliver | SA | 28th |
| Pauline West | SA | 25 years |
| Will Bull | SA | |
| R A Payne | SA | 57th |
| F C Moyes | SA | 57th |
| D C Holme | SA | W & D |
| Ali Easterfield | SA | Phoenix Explorers & DESC |
| 2004 | ||
| Robert Benton | SA Bar | 50 years |
| Tony Claydon | SA | |
| John Wallman | Silver Wolf | 26th |
| Richard Crabtree | SA | 5th (year after retirement from role |
| 2003 | ||
| Jane Carter | SA | |
| Rob Farrington | SA Bar | 50th |
| 2002 | ||
| Mervyn West | SA | 30 years |
| Dave Law | SA | |
| Derek Hopkins | SA |
| 2000 | ||
| Terry Izzard | Silver Wolf | 50 years |
| 1999 | ||
| Roger Woollard | SA Bar | |
| 1998 | ||
| Rosemary Chambers | SA | |
| 1996 | ||
| Robert Benton | SA | |
| 1995 | ||
| Terry Izzard | SA | |
| 1993 | ||
| John Chambers | Silver Wolf | DC Newmarket, Badge Sec, ex ADC Scouts Camb. North, 13th |
| 1988 | ||
| Beryl Tabbitt | SA Bar | 55th and 12th |
| 1985 | ||
| Tony Fowler | SA | |
| 1984 | ||
| Chuck Lilley | SA |
| 1983 | ||
| John Wallman | SA | |
| Barry Howe | SA | |
| Lettice Dawson | SA | (Jock Dawson’s wife) |
| Tony Billinghurst | Silver Wolf | 5th |
| Bob Greenwood | SA | 23rd |
Awards no longer engraved by HQ after this date. Initially engraved by County.
Records from 1944 to 1979 agree with that held by former DC H Mallett and District Sec W T Thurbon.
| 1979 | ||
| John Chambers | SA Bar | 13th |
| Vic Barnes | SA | 28th |
| Fred Coston | SA | 13th |
| Rose Coston | Silver Wolf | 13th |
| Gary (George?) Pugh | SA | S&S |
| 1978 | ||
| Beryl Tabbit | SA | 55th and 12th |
| Ken North | Silver Wolf | |
| Jock Dawson | Silver Wolf | ADC VS |
| 1977 | ||
| Maurice Howard | SA | 60th |
| F E Isaacson | Silver Wolf | 28th |
| 1976 | ||
| Mr Woollard | SA | |
| 1975 | ||
| Col Mainwaring | Silver Wolf | |
| Alan Mackenzie | Silver Wolf | 11th, 11/9th, South Cambs DC, CC |
| Mrs V I Woodward | SA | 11th/9th CSL |
| 1974 | ||
| Reg Ayres | Silver Wolf | 60th ACC international |
| Dr Dawson | SA | 1st Hadstock ADC C |
| Ken North | SA | |
| Mr Cotton | SA | |
| John Chambers | SA | |
| Mrs Gardner Smith | SA | 48th (Comberton) |
| Edgar Tilley | SA | |
| Jim Green | SA |
1973
| Rose Coston | SA | |
| John Sweet | Silver Wolf | Field Commissioner |
| Bill Thurbon WTT | Silver Wolf |
1972
| Brigadier Duchesne | Silver Wolf | CC |
| Oswald Bell | Silver Wolf | CC |
- Oswald Bell (from newspaper report date unclear)
1971
- Mr. 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 but Derrick Pearce was more active in Suffolk before, during and after time in Cambridge. Fred’s award was attended by fellow holders H. Mallett and P. Duff. All three had met B.P.
1968
- Irene Long (Rene) SA 42nd 40 years pack and district
- F E Isaacson SA 28th 40 years pack and district
- Lt Cl H Mainwaring SA
1966
- (James) Derrick Pearce Silver Wolf ACC, Sea Scouts, later CC Suffolk
1964
- FAJ McKenzie SA 11th and 11th/9th later DC
1963
Brigadier Duchesne SA CC
W O Bell SA DC DCC Headquarters Commissioner
1961
- Professor Patrick Duff Silver Wolf County Sec.
- W T Thurbon SA
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.
The list did not include the very early Silver wolf awarded for 24 badges (see below).
1958
- Fred Feary SA 23rd ADC Cubs
1955
- Howard Mallet Silver Wolf DC
- D J Pearce SA 60th
- M Howard SA 60th
1954
- R P Ayres SA 60th ADC (S) Cambridgeshire
1952
- Mackrow SA 12th ACC Training
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
Cambridge District Scout Archive 