Cambridge District Scout Archive
Pack Totems are described in the Wolf Cub Handbook (first published in 1916) and the head of the wolf is suggested as the Totem. Ribbons are added for each proficiency badge earned and it is suggested that a brass nail for every Cub who joins the pack.
The Boy Scouts Association booklet Jungle Animals and Totem Poles (4th Edition 1951) gives a history of Totem poles and describes the use, practices and recommendations for a Totem, suggesting that they are kept for Pack occasions or that provision for safe storage during external events is planned beforehand. The booklet also gives instructions on how to carve a head, make one from plaster or Papier-mache. These are described as ‘preferable to the distorted fretwork models which are sometimes to be seen’. The Akela design in Latex Rubber were obtainable from the Scout Shop (see below). It was also noted that ‘The Stuffed Wolf’s Head’ ‘could occasionally be found in antique shops and, as they are not much in demand, can be sometimes bought quite cheaply’. These should be given a dusting of DDT powder from time to time.
This particular head in the Archive collection has Green and Blue ribbons with, attached to the end, stitched cards with C M W Taylor 1933 and C M J Covell. The undated J Covell is in the same paper and stitching. Green and Blue suggests the 7th Cambridge, but this school did not have a pack. Lists of leaders of the 7th suggest the close match of W Taylor-Young of Trinity but as a S.M. Cubmaster (CM) J Covell is A J Covell, involved in the 23rd and 13th packs, but not known to be associated with the 7th.
The head above has a socket in the back for a pole and Geoff Oliver of the 28th recalls this or one similar used at the opening of Cub camps in the 1960’s.
The original function of this head is not known but Wolf Heads were used locally as pack trophies as seen in the undated photograph below.
The wolf head held by the collection bears a strong resemblance to that from the 14th in 1928 and that portrayed on the cover of Totem Magic, S G Gurney of 1932.
It is similar to a version in this photograph of an attic Cub meeting room from the Scouter 1930.
Around 1929 this guard of honour comprises a number of Wolf Heads in different forms
A more realistic head is seen in this picture of a Scouter Den at Gilwell in a collection from 1930’s.
Artificial heads were available from at least 1939 and plastic heads were for sale from Scout shops in the 1960’s and 70’s. The one is held by the 26th Cambridge and another is regularly used by the 29th Cambridge. They are approximately life size and have a socket to insert a pole.
JWR Archivist Mar 2019
Cambridge District Scout Archive 