1887

Jun. 24th. Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations (PC)

Visits Franco-German battlefields, staying in Strasbourg (PP)

Aged 30, Baden-Powell single-handedly organises a "Grand Military Tournament" in Liverpool. Every man in his squadron of the 13th takes part (PP)

Lieutenant-General Henry A Smyth, Baden-Powell's uncle and General Officer Commanding, South Africa, appoints B-P his A.D.C. (PP)

1888

Jan. Returns to South Africa (PP)

Jun. Zulu rebellion, led by Chief Dinizulu quashed. Captain Baden-Powell is the staff officer in the relief column, commanded by Major McKean (PP)

Jul. Hears the "Een-gon-yama Chorus" for the first time (PP)

Nov. Promoted to Brevet-Major & appointed Assistant Military Secretary to General Smyth (PP)

1889

Summer. Sent home to England for a short leave (PP)

Oct. Major Baden-Powell appointed Private Secretary to Sir Francis de Winton, British Commissioner to Swaziland, based in Pretoria (PP)

Pigsticking or Hoghunting by Captain R S S Baden-Powell 13th Hussars. Published by Harrison & sons (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

As Military Secretary, South Africa, 1888

1890

General, now Sir Henry Smyth, appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief at Malta and takes his A.D.C., Major Baden-Powell, with him (PP)

Aug. Appointed Intelligence Officer, visits Albania, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Tunis, Algeria and Bosnia and Herzegovina (PP)

A group of white pioneers, under Cecil Rhodes, take possession of Mashonaland and establish their capital, Salisbury, in what is to become Rhodesia (PP)

1891

Nov. 11th. Walter Mallock Gee founds the Church Lads' Brigade at St Andrew's Church, Fulham (see 'Brother Organisations')

1893

Apr. Major Baden-Powell resigns his appointment as assistant military secretary and rejoins the 13th Hussars at Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland (PP)

After two year's work, Baden-Powell forms the Soldiers' and Sailors' Club, Malta (PP)

1894

Jun. 24th. Opening of Tower Bridge, London (PC)

Baden-Powell and Rudyard Kipling friends since their days in India and South Africa (see 'Rudyard Kipling and Baden-Powell')

George Williams, founder of the YMCA, knighted for his lifelong service to boys (see 'Brother Organisations')

1895

Lord Wolseley sends out Major Baden-Powell with the Ashanti Expedition 1895-1896 (PP)

For his achievements during the Ashanti Expedition, Major Baden-Powell is awarded a medal and appointed Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel (PP)

Baden-Powell, balding, looks much older than his 38 years (picture in PP)

The Matabele attempt to drive the white invaders out of Rhodesia/Matabeleland (PP)

1896

Jan. 1st. The Jameson Raiders, starting near to Mafeking, get as far as Krugersdorp, near Johannesburg, before they are defeated by the Boers (PC) (PP) (see 'Rudyard Kipling and Baden-Powell')

Lieutenant-Colonel Baden-Powell returns to his regiment in Ireland (PP)

Apr. 28th. Ordered to board the SS Tantalon Castle, where he is to be in command of the troops on board, bound for Cape Town at the start of the Matabele Campaign (PP)

Jun. 5th. Arrives at Buluwayo to take up post of Chief Staff Officer to Sir Frederick Carrington, who has been sent to take command of the troops (PP), (J)

The Matabele call Baden-Powell 'Impeesa' - 'The Wolf that never sleeps' (PP)

Sep. 20th. Baden-Powell finds the Koodoo Horn on his expedition to the Somabula Forest - Matabele Campaign (see 'Brownsea Island')

Sep. 30th. Court of Enquiry find Baden-Powell justified in Court Marshalling Uwini, Chief of the Mashonas and sentencing him to death (PP)

Nov. 25th. All rebel Chiefs in Mashonaland surrendered - end of the Matabele Campaign (PP)

The Downfall of Prempeh, by Lieut. Col. RSS Baden-Powell, 13th Hussars, his account of the Ashanti Expedition. Published by Methuen & Co. (PP) (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

1897

Jan. 6th. Boards the Dunvegan Castle in Cape Town and returns to England in the company of Cecil Rhodes (PP)

As a result of his work in the Matabele Campaign, Baden-Powell is promoted to Brevet-Colonel and awarded a medal (PP)

Mar. 1st. Rejoins the 13th Hussars at Marlborough Barracks, Dublin as Squadron Commander (PP)

Mar. Colonel Baden-Powell offered and accepts the command of the 5th Dragoon Guards in India, but regrets leaving the 13th Hussars, his home for twenty years (PP)

Apr. Joins the 5th Dragoon Guards in Meerut, B-P's second tour of duty in India after a gap of twelve years (PP)

Jun. 22nd. Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (PC)

Oct. 5th. Birth of Donald Baden-Powell, son of B-P's brother George (see 'Brownsea Island')

Brass Army Scout badge devised by Baden-Powell when he was serving in India (see 'The Fleur-de-lis and the Swastika')

The Matabele Campaign by Colonel R S S Baden-Powell F.R.G.S. - 13th Hussars. Published by Methuen & Co. (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

1898

Aug. Two months leave in Kashmir (PP)

Sir George Baden-Powell, K.C.M.G., M.P., older brother of Baden-Powell, dies, aged 51 (PP)

1899

May. Given 4 month's leave in England (PP)

Jun. 26th. Takes part in a matinee at Haymarket Theatre, London, to aid Charterhouse Mission (A) (see 'Charterhouse')

Jul. 3rd. "At a few day's notice" from Lord Wolseley, leaves Southampton for Cape Town in SS Dunottar Castle (PP)

Aug 11th. Letter to mother: "This is my first attempt at typing" (R)

Sep. Colonel Baden-Powell preparing for the defence of Mafeking

Sep 15th. B-P given permission to enter Mafeking with his regiment

Oct. 10th. Boer War begins (PC)

Oct. 13th. The Boers lay siege to Mafeking (PP)

Nov. 14th. Takes a census of the population of Mafeking - "Whites - men 1074, women 229, children 405. Natives, 7500 all told." (PP)

Dec. 1st. Letter from Mafeking. "In the event of me being killed"

Dec. 12th. Letter to mother. "...I have been trying to find any Old Carthusians...." (see 'Charterhouse')

Dec. 18th. Mafeking casualties to date: killed 23, wounded 53, missing 49, total 125. In addition, 163 natives had been killed or wounded and there had been 17 deaths from natural causes amongst the non-combatants (PP)

Mafeking Cadet Warner Goodyear, 13 years old (see 'The Mafeking Cadets')

Aids to Scouting for N.C.O.s and Men by Bt-Colonel R S S Baden-Powell F.R.G.S. 5th Dragoon Guards. Published by Gale & Polden (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

1900

Jan 8th. John 'Jack' Travers Cornwell born in Clyde Cottage, Leyton, Essex (see 'The Cornwell Award')

Jan 17th. Frankie Brown died of his wounds in Mafeking (see 'The Mafeking Cadets')

Feb. 10th. Lord Edward Cecil put in charge of the Mafeking Cadets (see 'The Mafeking Cadets')

Mar. 30th. Mafeking census shows a grand total of 8974 (PP)

Apr. 1st. (Received Apr. 12th.) Message from Queen Victoria - "I continue watching with confident admiration the patient and resolute defence which is so gallantly maintained under your ever resourceful command" (PP)

Apr. 15th. Total casualties from shell and rifle fire - 389 (PP)

May 12th. Final attack by the Boers (PP)

May 17th. Mafeking relieved (PC)

May 17th. Promoted to Major-General by The Queen (PP)

Sep. High Commissioner for The Cape Province asks Major-General Baden-Powell to raise a police force - The South African Constabulary (PP)

Letter to B-P on the formation of a 'Baden-Powell Scouting Society' (see 'Aids to Scouting')

Sport in War by Major-General R S S Baden-Powell F.R.G.S. Published by Heinemann (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

At Mafeking, 1899

1901

Jan. Mother and sister in The Cape 'for the first 4 months' (TJ)

Jan. 22nd. Death of Queen Victoria; proclamation of King Edward VIII (PC)

Jun. Ordered home on three months' sick leave "influenza ... bronchitis ... and overwork" (PP)

Sep. 14th. President McKinley assassinated (PC)

Oct. 12th. Summoned to Balmoral by King Edward for the weekend: "The King handed me C.B. and South Africa Medal. It was a very cheery interview, and the King asked me to stay till Monday" wrote B-P (PP)

Return visit to Charterhouse (see 'Charterhouse')

Dec. Returns to The Cape (PP)

1902

Mar. Regrets having to leave his old Regiment - the 5th Dragoon Guards (PP)

Mar. 26th. Death of Cecil Rhodes (PC)

May 31st. Surrender of Boers leaders at Pretoria. End of the Boer War (PC)

Nov. 1st. Visited by brother Frank and his wife in Buluwayo (PP)

Baden Baden-Powell becomes President of the Royal Aeronautical Society (see 'The Early History of Air Scouting')

Seton founds the 'Woodcraft Indians' (see 'Seton')

1903

Jan. Offered the post of Inspector-General of Cavalry (PP)

Feb. 18th. Leaves South Africa for home (PP)

Apr. As Inspector-General of Cavalry, visits, (under an assumed name!) Cavalry Schools in Hanover, Canada and America (PP)

Appointed Honorary Vice-President of the Boys' Brigade (see 'Brother Organisations')

May Attends a Boys' Brigade display at the Royal Albert Hall (TJ) (see 'Brother Organisations')

May 30th. Made Honourary Freeman of Bangor and of Cardiff, Wales (J) (PP)

Aug. Visits Cavalry Schools in Saumer and Vienna (PP)

1904

Apr 30th. Inspecting Officer of the Annual Drill Inspection and Review of the Boys' Brigade, on the occasion of the organisation's coming of age, in Glasgow, Scotland (TJ) (see 'Brother Organisations')

Establishes the Cavalry School at Netheravon, Wiltshire (PP)

1905

Baden-Powell's Army Scout Badge adopted throughout the British Army and continued in use until the end of the Great War in 1918 (see 'The Fleur-de-lis and the Swastika')

Visits Cavalry Schools at Tor di Quinto and Pinerolo, Italy (PP)

Autumn. In his capacity of Inspector-General of Cavalry, accompanies The Duke of Connaught, Inspector-General of the Forces, to South Africa, arriving Jan. 1906 (PP)

1906

May 25th. Visits Belgian Cavalry in Brussels (PP)

Jun. Boy's Brigade Gazette published with B-P's contribution on Scouting (see 'Brother Organisations')

Jul. Receives The Birch Bark Roll by Ernest Thompson Seton from Seton (see 'Scouting for Boys')

Sends an outline of his scheme for Scouting for Boys to leading members of the Army, the Navy, the church, the state and boys' movements (PP) (see 'Scouting for Boys')

Seton in England where he organised a series of four trial camps (see 'Scouting for Boys')

1907

Baden-Powell 50 years old

Feb. To Egypt as Inspector-General of Cavalry (PP)

May 5th. End of his term as Inspector-General of Cavalry (PP)

May Lectures on his scheme to the Boys' Brigade Hall in Sheffield (see 'Brother Organisations')

May in Knocklofty, Ireland; meets Mr and Mrs Charles van Raalte (see 'Brownsea Island')

Jun. 10th. Drops to half-pay. Rank of Lieutenant-General (R)

Jun. 19th. Letter to Captain Robson asking him to supply six Boy's Brigade lads for Brownsea (see 'Brownsea Island')

Jul. 19th. Letter to Captain Robson saying he could take eight Boy's Brigade lads (see 'Brownsea Island')

Jul. 26th. First letter sent from the Brownsea Island camp (see 'Brownsea Island')

Jul. 28th. Letter to a Miss Lyttelton written from Brownsea (see 'Brownsea Island')

Jul. 29th. - Aug 8th. Brownsea Island 'experimental' camp (see 'Brownsea Island')

Aug 4th. Letter replying to the Editor of The Daily Mirror from Brownsea (see 'Brownsea Island')

9 year-old Donald Baden-Powell, B-P's nephew at Brownsea (see 'Brownsea Island')

Nov. 1st. Baden-Powell was staying with an army friend in Guisborough, then in North Yorkshire. The local Church Lads' Brigade was the first to hear of the success of the Brownsea Island camp and B-P's new Boy Scouts scheme, which was to be outlined in Scouting for Boys (WH)

Nov. Lecture tour of South Wales

Dec 26th. Baden-Powell moves to a cottage under the Windmill on Wimbledon Common to complete Scouting for Boys (see 'Scouting for Boys')

Sketches in Mafeking & East Africa. by Major General R S S Baden-Powell C.B., F.R.G.S. Published by Smith, Elder and Co. (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

B-P in 1907

1908

Jan. 15th. First issue of the six-part fortnightly series Scouting for Boys published (see 'Scouting for Boys')

Mar. In command of a Northumberland Territorial Army Division (PP)

Apr. 14th. First edition of The Scout (E) (see 'Scouting for Boys')

May 1st. Scouting for Boys published in book form (E) (see 'Scouting for Boys')

May 30th. B-P's account of the Brownsea Camp published in The Scout (see 'Brownsea Island')

B-P calls the Mafeking Cadets the "Mafeking Boy Scouts" (cf. 1927) (see 'The Mafeking Cadets)

Aug. 22nd.-Sep. 4th The follow-up camp to Brownsea at Humshaugh (see 'Humshaugh')

1909

Feb. Visits Brazil, Argentina and Chile (PP)

Jul. 24th.-Aug. 7th. Organises Training Camp at Beaulieu, which leads to the inauguration of Sea Scouting (PP) (see 'Beaulieu')

Sep. 4th. Attends a rally of 11,000 Boy Scouts at the Crystal Palace, London (PP)

Sep. Goes to a rally of 6,000 Boy Scouts, wearing kilts, in Glasgow (PP)

Sep. Establishment of The Headquarters Committee (later renamed the Committee of the Council) (see 'Wood Badge')

Oct. 3rd. Knighted (K.C.V.O. - Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) and K.C.B. (Knight Commander of Bath) by King Edward (PP)

Oct. 3rd. The King suggests that Baden-Powell brings Scouts to see him in Windsor Park the following summer. He also agrees that those Scouts who prove themselves exceptionally good should receive the title 'King's Scouts' (PP)

The Duke of Connaught becomes the first President of the Council (for Scouting) (PP)

Yarns for Boy Scouts by Lieut-Gen. Sir R S S Baden-Powell KCB. Published by C Arthur Pearson Ltd. (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

1910

Feb.-Mar. tour of 19 cities in the UK

There are 123,000 Boy Scouts in the UK (PP)

May Lieutenant General Baden-Powell retires from the Army to the Reserve after more than thirty years of soldiering (PP)

May 6th. King Edward VIII dies, proclamation of King George V (PC)

Jun. The first headquarters of the Boy Scouts Of America opens at the offices of the New York YMCA (see 'Brother Organisations')

Aug.-Sep. Visits Canada and USA to organise Scouts (PP)

Awarded Order of Merit by Chile (PP)

Seton becomes the first Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of America, merging his own 'Woodcraft Indians' into the new structure (see 'Seton')

Scouting Games by Lieut.-Gen, Sir Robert Baden-Powell. Published by C Arthur Pearson Ltd. (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

1911

May 24th. Death of Ethelbert James Tarrant, 1st Bournemouth BB boy at the Brownsea Island Camp (see 'Brownsea Island')

Jul. 4th. King George becomes Patron of the Scout Movement and inspects 33,000 Scouts in Windsor Great Park (PP)

Nov 26th. Appointed Honourary Colonel of his original regiment - the 13th Hussars (PP)

The first Scouting use of the swastika on the first Thanks Badge (see 'The Fleur-de-lis and the Swastika')

Percy Everett awarded an early adult Silver Wolf (see 'Scouting Personalities')

The first Scoutmasters' training camps held in London and Yorkshire

1912

Jan. 3rd.-Aug. 24th. 'Bob' Wroughton, at 20 accompanied B-P as his A.D.C. on the S.S. Arcadian on a world lecture tour of the USA, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (see 'Brownsea Island')

On the voyage of the S.S. Arcadian B-P re-aquainted with Miss Olave St. Clair Soames (see 'Brownsea Island')

Jan. Lord Charles Beresford appointed Chief Sea Scout (see 'The Early History of Sea Scouting')

Jul. 5th. Dedication of Rhodes Memorial, Rhodesia by Lord Grey (PC)

Jul. 20th First Sea Scout Rally held at Earl's Court Lake

Aug. 12th. Visits Norway with nephew Donald Baden-Powell (PP)

Appointed Knight of St. John of Jerusalem (PP)

Sep. 20th. Baden-Powell and Olave Soames engaged (see 'Brownsea Island')

Oct. 30th. The wedding of Baden-Powell and Olave Soames (OBP) (see 'Brownsea Island')

Oct. 31st. Weeks' Honeymoon, Mullion Cove, Cornwall (OBP)

Warner Goodyear, Mafeking Cadet and 'the first Boy Scout' died from a sporting accident aged 26 (see 'The Mafeking Cadets')

How Girls can Help to Build Up the Empire by Miss Baden-Powell and Sir R Baden-Powell. Published by Thomas Nelson (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

1913

Jan. 14th.-Mar. 1st. Holiday Cruise with Olave - Algiers, Sahara, Carthage, Tunis, Valetta (Malta) (OBP)

Apr. 13th. Moved to Ewehurst Place, East Sussex (OBP)

Oct. 30th. Birth of Peter Baden-Powell. Duke of Connaught godfather (PP)

Made Master of Mercers Company (PP)

Boy Scouts Beyond the Seas "My World Tour" by Lt. Gen. Sir Robert Baden-Powell. Published by C Arthur Pearson Ltd. (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

1914

Jan. The Wolf Cubs received their official blessing in the HQ Gazette (see 'The Wolf Cubs')

Jan. Founding of the Scouts Friendly Society (see 'Friendly Society')

Aug. 1st. Great Britain declares war against Germany - the beginning of the First World War (PC)

Oct. 'Bob' Wroughton, boy at the Brownsea Island Camp, killed in Action, Ypres (see 'Brownsea Island')

Rally in Godson Park

William Alexander Smith, founder of the Boys' Brigade, dies (see 'Brother Organisations')

Oct. 13th. Henrietta Baden-Powell (B-P's mother) dies (PP)

Nov. Announces the formation of the Scouts Defence Corps (see 'The Scouts Defence Corps and 'The Red Feather')

Indian Memories: Recollections of Soldiering, Sport, etc. by Lieut.-Gen. Sir Robert Baden-Powell. Published by Herbert Jenkins (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

Quick Training for War by Lieut.-Gen. Sir Robert Baden-Powell. KCB. Published by Herbert Jenkins (see 'A Baden-Powell Bibliography')

Homepage

Beavers

Cub Scouts

Scouts

Explorer Scouts

Staged Activity Badges

Events Calender

Homework

Uniforms

Group History

Photo Galleries

Directory of useful Scouting links

Other Useful Information

Questions & Answers

Contact Us

Members Area

(Under Construction)