EMPIRE CHIEF SCOUT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 07, Issue 93, 25 July 1944, Page 8

EMPIRE CHIEF SCOUT

LORD SOMERS PASSES ON SCOUTERS TO WEAR MOURNING In the death of Lord Somers. Empire Chief Scout, the Movement started by the late Lord Baden Powell has lost one of its greatest and most loved figures. Dominion Scouting headquarters has requested that all Scolders at the earliest possible opportunity are expected to wear mourning Avhen in uniform until -51st August, 1944, and to take the first convenient oppoitunity of making suitable reference to the passing of the. late Chief. Mourning consists ol' a 2" black band worn on the left arm above the elbow. The Bay of. Plenty Commissioner has received notification to this effect that it is hoped to see it carried out in the near future throughout the territory. A brief resume of the late Chief Scout's life and work will be of interest. "Arthur Herbert Tennyson Somers Cocks Somers l was born in 1887 and Was educated at Charterhouse School where Baden-Powell was educated and also, like 8.P., was a distixi'guished soldier in the Great "VVair of 1914-1918. He had been associated with the Scout Movement since 1920, when he was appointed District Commissioner for the Eastern Division of Hertfordshire and -was also the leader of the British Empire Contingent to the. sth World Jamboree in Holland.

While Governor General of Victoria from 1926-1931, lie was also Chief Scout, for that State and became very popular with the Scouting Fraternity through his practical interest, frequently sharing in their hikes, and imparting to them his intimate knowledge of wild bird life. He was also Chief Scout for the Commonwealth of Australia while acting as Governor General in 193031. On his return to England, he W'as appointed the Chief Scout's Commissioner and during the. late Lord Baden-Powell's tour of South Africa early in 1936, Lord Somers acted as Chief Scout for Great Britain and was appointed Deputy Chief Scout in the same year. It was announced in January 1941 that the. late beloved World Chief had nominated Lord Somers as his successor and he was appointed Chief Scout for Great Britain, and later, Chief Scout lor the British Empire. One of his chief interests apart from Scouting, was cricket, in which he had represented Worcestershire, and in 1936 was President of the M.C.C. That he was ever ready to practice what he preached was shown by the fact that on the outbreak of war, When all British Scouts were, being encouraged to wear their uniform as much as possible as a badge of service, Lord Somers attended sessions of the House of Lords in Scout uniform. Lord Somers is survived by his wile.. Lady Somers (who was a younger daughter of the late Captain Bertram Meeking of Marsh Court, Stockbridge) and one daughter."