Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, more affectionately known as "B.-P.", was born in London, England, on February 22, 1857. At the age of 12 he received a scholarship from Charterhouse School, one of England's famous public schools. The school was then located in London, but it soon moved to Godalming in Surrey. There were some woods just outside the school, these were "out- of-bounds" for the pupils. It was here that B.-P. practised stalking wildlife. He is said to have snared rabbits and cooked them over a small fire so that smoke didn't give him away to the school masters. (This was to be valuable training for later in his career.)

Choosing a military career, B.-P. served in campaigns in India, Afghanistan and South Africa. He became world famous during the Boer War for the defense of Mafeking, a small town in South Africa. With 800 men, he was besieged by a force of 9,000 Boer soldiers. His small force held out against these immense odds for 217 days -- until a relief column of British soldiers arrived.

At Mafeking B.-P. organized his "Messenger Cadets". Trained in efficiency, obedience and smartness, they performed many tasks -- relieving soldiers for active defense of the town. After the Boer War, B.-P. organized the South African Constabulary and designed a uniform for them that later became the basic Boy Scout uniform.

While still in Africa, B.-P. wrote "Aids to Scouting" -- a manual designed to train soldiers to become army scouts. Many youth and organizations in Britain used ideas from this manual as the basis of adventurous programs. He discussed this matter with Sir William Smith, the founder of the Boy's Brigade, and other leading youth workers. He planned a camp to test his program ideas. The camp was held from July 25 to August 9 in 1907 on Brownsea Island. The "Scoutmaster" was Lt.-Gen. Robert Baden- Powell. His assistants were B.W. Green, H. Robson and P.W. Everett. The camp was a tremendous success. Based on this experiment B.-P. wrote his book "Scouting for Boys" which was published in 6 parts starting in January, 1908. It has been printed in many editions -- the current edition is the last one edited by B.-P. By the end of 1908 this book was translated into five other languages. The sketches in the book were all done by B.-P. -- most of them based on his own exciting career.

In 1909, King Edward VII, who had taken a great deal of interest in this new Movement, made the founder a Knight in recognition of his work for boys. At this time B.-P. was Inspector General of Cavalry. King Edward noted the Boys Scout Movement was so important that B.-P. would do his country a great service if he would resign from the army and devote his full time to Scouting. B.-P. did so and the Movement grew by leaps and bounds. It was King Edward VII who inaugurated the King's Scout badge, later changed by Queen Elizabeth to Queen's Scout badge.

Scouting spread throughout England, the Commonwealth and other countries. Scouting came to Canada in May, 1908. It started in many communities at the same time and there is no way to knowing which community had Scouting first. Chile was the first non- Commonwealth country to adopt the Scouting program.

In 1912, B.-P. met and later married Miss Olave Soames, who later became the Chief Guide. In 1920, the International Conference of Scouting was formed and, at the World Jamboree in 1920, B.-P. was acclaimed as Chief Scout of the World -- the only person to ever hold that title.

B.-P. devoted the rest of his life to Scouting and the promotion of world brotherhood. He believed that no better way could be found than by enrolling youth in Scouting - a Movement that had no national boundaries.

In 1929, at the "Coming of Age" jamboree in 1929, Kind George V made the founder a Baron. Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell took his title from Gilwell Park, the International Training Center for Scouters. It is located in Epping Forest -- just outside London, England.

In failing health, B.-P. took up residence in Africa in 1937. On January 8, 1941, rich in both years and service, B.-P. died. His grave is in Nyeri, in the shadow of Mount Kenya. His tombstone bears the simple inscription: "Robert Baden-Powell, Chief Scout of the World, born February 22nd, 1857, died January 8th, 1941". Carved into the stone are cut the Scout and Guide badges and the familiar circle with the dot in the center signifying "Gone Home".

Dear Scouts,

If you have ever seen the play Peter Pan you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.

Remember, it is the last you will ever hear from me, so think it over.

I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.

I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.

Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and to die happy-- stick to your Scout promise always-- even after you have ceased to be a boy-- and God help you to do it.

Your Friend
Baden-Powell

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Shiang Yang Open Scout Troop, 219 Kinta