Knot Awards of Non-US Scouting Associations
Part 1 – WOSM and the United Kingdom
George Crowl
The blue is changes from Version 9.0.
This paper is a survey of information on knot awards of the various Scout
associations not affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. Under separate
cover, I have published three monographs on BSA knot awards:
Illustrated History of BSA Square Knot Evolution; Private Issue Scouting
Square Knots (Experimental, Locally Authorized, Fake and Spoof); and
(with Gary Whitman, Shay Lelegren, Bruce Noonan, and Al Traupman)
Varieties of Official BSA Square Knots. They may be accessed at
www.Crowl.org/George/.
This monograph is written, not as an expert, but merely to organize my
information on other countries’ knot awards. I know I do not have much
history, nor information on varieties, but I have tried to collect some
background information. Perhaps it will be of some use to others who are
also interested in “foreign” (to the U.S.) knots. I would appreciate it if
other collectors would please contact me with information to fill out this
paper. I will credit contributors and photographs/scans.
In contrast to the BSA, many other Scout associations have a limited
number of youth and adult awards, and do not have an extensive collection
of awards for members to wear. A discussion with a member of the
Australian Scout Association indicated that he was relatively highly
decorated, wearing three knots. On inquiry in New Zealand recently, they
no longer issued knots to be worn on their very much simplified uniform.
I will organize this paper alphabetically by country, after starting with the
WOSM and the United Kingdom. I will illustrate it from my personal
collection and from such other sources as I am able to find, such as
brochures from the national Scouting associations.
This is now grown large enough to benefit from a Table of Contents. It is
broken into parts to facilitate posting on the Internet.
PART PAGE
World Association of the Scouting Movement
1
2
WOSM Africa
1
3
United Kingdom (Great Britain & Northern Ireland) 1
3
UK Baden-Powell Scout Association
1
8
UK Rover-Explorer Scout Association
1
9
UK Girl Guides
1
10
Albania
2
1
Australia
2
2
Belize
2
6
Canada
2
7
1
Ethiopia
2
11
Fiji
3
1
Gambia
3
2
Ghana
3
3
Grenada
3
3
Hong Kong
3
4
India
3
5
Ireland
3
6
Japan
3
7
Kenya
3
9
Korea
3
10
Macau
4
1
Malaysia
4
1
Maldives
4
3
Malta
4
3
Mongolia
4
6
Netherlands
4
6
New Zealand
4
7
Norway
4
9
Philippines
4
9
South Africa
4
13
Spain
5
1
Sri Lanka
5
1
St. Lucia
5
2
Taiwan
5
3
Tanzania
5
4
Thailand
5
4
Togo
5
8
Venezuela
5
8
Zambia
5
9
Unknown
5
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WORLD ASSOCIATION OF THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT
(WOSM). I put this first because it is our supra-national body. The
highest award of WOSM is the Bronze Wolf. Only about 300 have been
awarded since the first was presented to Baden-Powell in 1935. The two
knots shown are from different eras, owned by an American Scouter who
earned the Bronze Wolf a long time ago. These were sold on eBay for a
lot of money.
The ribbon at left may be an adaptation to a country that uses ribbons. I’ll
try to find out more. This ribbon accompanied a medal.
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WOSM-Africa. The Africa Elephant is the highest award in the Africa
Region of WOSM. This black on silver knot sold on eBay December 11,
2001 and re-sold in 2008.
In addition, these ribbons also are used to represent the Africa Elephant
where the knot may not be used. Color differences may be due to local
manufacture, or use of a military ribbon with the base colors, or age.
These ribbons accompanied a medal.
WOSM-Asia Pacific. The ribbon to the left is the Asia-Pacific
Distinguished Service Award. The device on the ribbon is a miniature of
the medal itself, shown in the photo below it. This award has since been
superseded in 1995 by a different award.
The highest award is the Asia-Pacific Regional
Award for Distinguished Service. It is made solely
for distinguished and outstanding leadership and/or
exceptional service to the Scout Movement on an
international basis for a period of at least 10 years.
From 1995-2011 only 54 people have been awarded
it. The ribbon, illustrated, contains the ribbon
colors and a small medallion reproduction in the
center.
The Chairman's Award is presented for good service and
invaluable contribution directly given to the APR operations
to the NSOs. The Award will be given to persons who have
provided invaluable services to one or more of the following
over a period of not less than six years. From 1997-2009 67
people have received the Chairman's Award. Note that the
ribbon, though not illustrated is that of the medal, with a
small APR medal in the center, similar in design but different
colors than the Distinguished Service Medal above.
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The APR Certificate of Good Service is
awarded to persons who have provided
invaluable service over a period of not less
than three years. A purple ribbon bar (cloth
patch) with an APR Scout logo bronze pin
super-imposed in the center can be worn on
the uniform. 30 have been awarded 20072009.
APR Medal for Meritorious Contribution to
Scouting is given to persons who have made
meritorious contributions to support Scouting
through moral support, technical support, or
substantial financial contribution. The Award is
specifically for those who have not been within the
Scout Movement for a long time and also open to
all non-members who have given meritorious
contributions to support Scouting at international or
national level. The Award medal is a bronze medal
incorporating the Asia-Pacific Regional emblem surrounded by silver cross
laurels. It is worn around the neck on an orange and purple ribbon. The
patch is shown.
The Chairman’s Award for Gallantry is awarded to youth
members and adults in Scouting who have, either individually
or jointly, performed gallantry action/s involving high risk of
life for humanitarian cause. The medallion design
incorporates the Asia-Pacific Regional emblem surrounded
by the cross laurels with the red background. It is a silver
plated bar with red-white ribbon. The ribbon bar has an APR
Scout logo silver pin super-imposed in the center. Only four
people have received this award from 1998-2010.
More information can be obtained at
http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/asia_pacific/our_organisation/r
egional_awards.
4
UNITED KINGDOM. The first country to treat is the United Kingdom.
The original Scout Association may also be the first Scout Association to
come up with knots to represent a medal award. This occurred by 1922.
The British use the Figure Eight knot. Also, many of the Commonwealth
members continue to use the British model, and in some cases, their actual
awards, rather than develop distinctive awards of their own. This section,
therefore, will lay a background for those Commonwealth countries that
follow.
In 2004, the British Scout Association had an undated pamphlet entitled
Applying for Decorations and Awards of The Scout Association. It cites a
2002 edition of the rules. I have arranged the awards below in descending
order of merit. There are also several other awards of the Scout
Association that do not appear to have knot awards to represent them.
These awards are presented approximately full size, 2”x ¾”. These are all
scans of actual knots, some in my possession, some from Peter Ford. In
some cases, they are of an earlier version because I do not have the current
image.
The Cornwell Scout Badge is awarded for great heroism or pre-eminently
high character and devotion to duty coupled with great courage and
endurance. It is named after Jack Cornwell, who stood by his post during
the World War I Battle of Jutland though mortally wounded and suffering
greatly. This is the current version. Two different versions of the pre1966 Cornwell Badge are also shown below. The earlier version of a
Cornwell Certificate (lesser award) is illustrated below, in smaller size.
This pamphlet shows the following
award knots for gallantry:
The Bronze Cross – Special heroism
or action in the face of extraordinary
risk. See photo at right of Scout.
An example of the Bronze Cross with
Bar (for a second award) is known.
Bars to the Silver Cross and Gilt
Cross are not yet known.
The Silver Cross – Gallantry in
circumstances of considerable risk.
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The Gilt Cross – Gallantry in circumstances of moderate risk. Note that
bronze ranks silver ranks gilt in this
order.
The Chief Scout’s Commendation for
John Bethel, Birkenhead, 1942
Gallantry – Gallantry in circumstances Rescued 12 from burning buildof less risk than the Gilt Cross. NOTE: ings during the Blitz. Later tourSome may be confused as the correct
ed USA as Scout ambassador.
wear of the knot. Notice the (observed)
left rope goes under the loop, the right over. [Not in a 2011 UK Scouts
poster on the internet.]
The following knots are for meritorious conduct, involving a high degree
of courage, endurance, initiative or devotion to duty, often under suffering,
without risk:
The Medal for Meritorious Conduct – Highest award for meritorious
conduct.
The Certificate for Meritorious Conduct – Meritorious conduct of a high
standard. Pre-1967 and post-1967 knot below. About 2010 this certificate
was discontinued.
The Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct – Meritorious
conduct where the award of a Medal or Certificate would be inappropriate
[up until about 2010]. The Certificate for Meritorious Conduct and the
Chief Scout's Commendation for Meritorious Conduct did not have
medals. About 2010 both were replaced by a new medal with the latter
name, Chief Scout's Commendation for Meritorious Conduct. The same
knot, green with blue center, continues in use.
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The following knots are for good service:
The Silver Wolf – Awarded as an unrestricted gift by the Chief Scout,
awarded for most exceptional service to Scouting. Note that the Bronze
Wolf of WOSM ranks the UK Silver Wolf. Below are older versions.
Only the highest award for good service may be worn.
The Bar to the Silver Acorn – Awarded for at least five more years
distinguished service to Scouting beyond the Silver Acorn.
The Silver Acorn – Normally awarded for more than 20 years specially
distinguished service to Scouting. An older version below:
The Bar to the Medal of Merit - Awarded for at least five more years
outstanding service to Scouting beyond the Medal of Merit. Beginning in
2008, the Bar to the Medal of Merit is changed to the Bar to the Award of
Merit, a neck ribbon award. The knot remains the same, per Peter Ford.
The Medal of Merit – Awarded for more than 10-12 years outstanding
service to Scouting. In 2008 the Medal of Merit became the Award of
Merit, with a neck ribbon. The knot remains the same. Below are earlier
examples.
The Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service – Awarded for at least
five years good service and real contribution to Scouting.
The enameled pin/brooch at left is sold for civilian wear for the
Commendation. This color scheme seems slightly different than the knot.
Most are identical. See the separate section below for more information.
The Chief Scout’s Personal Award – Awarded by the Chief Scout to those
who have played an outstanding role in an official visit. It is particularly
designed for those who, due to length of service or age, do not qualify for
any other award for good service.
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Introduced in 2014 is the Commissioner’s Commendation Award using a
purple emblem cloth or pin badge. Enables County, Area, Island, and
Region (Scotland) Commissioners to recognise adult and youth members
and non-members for their contributions to Scouting.
The following knots are for long service: The first section is the first (old)
scheme, which started with the 15 year Long Service knot, and eventually
added all the following knots.
Peter Ford alerted me that in September 2006 a Chief Scout’s Long Service
Decoration (Seventy Years) was introduced, with a purple FDL. Only the
highest award for long service is worn.
Chief Scout’s Long Service Decoration (Sixty Years)
Chief Scout’s Long Service Decoration (Fifty Years)
Chief Scout’s Long Service Decoration (Forty Years)
Bar to the Long Service Decoration (Twenty-Five Years)
Long Service Decoration (Fifteen Years)
Ending 2007
About 1933-1967
1968-@1983
In April 2008 a new Long Service Decoration knot scheme was introduced.
The Long Service knots now start with five (5) years and go up to 70 years.
All still have the white knot (but smaller), and have numerals indicating
the number of years, thus eliminating having to memorize which color
indicates specific years of service. All knots are illustrated.
8
Images from Peter Ford, thank you.
Medal of Merit (@1922-33)
Medal of Merit (@1933-67)
Silver Wolf (@1922-@33)
Silver Wolf (@1933-67)
9
The International Friendship Award is a knot-shaped award, apparently
of interlocked ropes. I don’t have the requirements or eligibility. It
apparently started about the time of the 2007 World Jamboree and has
apparently ended in 2010.
In years past, the Scout Association used different knot backgrounds. I
offer the two following examples, a Medal of Merit and a Silver Wolf.
Both are used to trace the evolution from 1922 to present. There are four
major backgrounds:
Felt (1922 or earlier to approximately 1930-35)
Khaki (1930-35 to about 1968 [Advanced Party Report])
Silver grey (about 1968 to 1980-85)
Matte grey (1980-85 to present)
Medal of Merit (1968-@1983) Medal of Merit (Current)
I quote (edited) here from Peter Ford, of Scouting Past and Present
Archives, whose web site is www.scouting-archives.org.uk: “The first
record of a cloth emblem representing an award is made in the 1922 copy
of Policy Organisation and Rules, printed January 1922. No earlier
reference found but will continue to look. At this point all our badges were
felt.
“I only have Medal of Merit and Silver Wolf felt examples in the
collection but I will ask around if anyone has any others.
“In around 1930-35 (can't be too sure of the date) we seemed to start
using the woven and bound badges. These are the ones we called khaki.
The examples are the Silver Wolf, Silver Acorn and Medal of Merit on the
last page and the Long Service Decoration.
“Those were in use until 1968, when the Advanced Party Report made
recommendations on Scouting and our uniform was changed. At this point
we were using an award knot with a silvery grey background.
“Again in about 1980-85 the background colour was changed to a
matte grey and since then, other than shade changes, has remained the
Silver Wolf (1968-@1983)
same. The difficulty is that stocks of the old design were used up and then
went on to the new one. For some of the rarer awards this could have been
several years.”
As many as 45% of images above courtesy of Peter Ford. Based on NZ
information, the date of change from felt was 1933. Note the larger, taller
Silver Wolf, which is 10% wider and 30% taller than the other. I also have
a scan of a similar Medal of Merit. I do not have dates for the larger knot.
The Wood Badge knots below are in the larger size.
Silver Wolf (Current)
During the 1960s, perhaps ending in 1967, the Scout Association had two
“knots” for the Wood Badge training. John Hoggarth dates one version of
this badge from 1971-74.
The first was for completion of the training up to the week of practical
training.
The second was when the Wood Badge beads were earned.
Peter Ford of Scouting Archives in the UK has let me know that threebead and four-bead knots for staff members and course directors (deputy
camp chiefs) that look similar were not used in the UK. See Zambia.
The items below are described as a non-uniform enamel pin badge, a
unisex brooch. They are currently for sale through the British Scout
Association, marked for UK only. The initial ones are dated October 2002,
then November 2004, the Long Service 50 and 60 in June 2005. Peter
Ford alerted me that a Long Service 70 was available in Sep 2006.
The brooches above are for heroism or meritorious conduct as indicated by
the similar knots.
The brooches above are for good service as indicated by similar knots.
The brooches above were for long service as indicated by similar knots.
Long Service 70 was for sale, but not illustrated.
New Long Service brooches with numeric designations were introduced in
2008 in conjunction with the new knots of the same design. Peter Ford
provided the images.
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BPSA Silver Acorn
BPSA Medal of Merit
BPSA (Baden-Powell Scout Association). There are several Scout
associations worldwide that are not associated with WOSM. Most are
quite small. The BPSA was founded as a reaction to the changes in the
Scout Association’s program in 1967. The BPSA is a member of the
World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS), an umbrella organization
for those not associated with WOSM. Their web site is
www.badenpowellscouts.org.uk/. The illustrated knots are 1970s issue.
BPSA Silver Acorn
BPSA Medal of Merit
BPSA Long Service Award
I also have three poor images of the knots for heroism.
BPSA Long Service Award
Bronze Cross
Silver Cross
Gilt Cross
RESA (Rover Explorer Scouts Association). RESA headquarters is
located in the United Kingdom, with members in ten countries. The
governing body is the ‘International Scoutmasters Court of Honour’. A
web site is: http://resa-ihq.ning.com/. I am told a new and fully developed
site is under construction. Their emphasis is now on Rover Scouting
exclusively. Branching off from RESA cooperatively is a new
organization, Pathfinder Scouts Association, which has Wolf Cubs, Scouts,
Senior Scouts, and Rovers.
I have five knots from their organization. For each knot there is a
corresponding medal.
RESA: Cross for Gallantry. The Distinguished Order of Merit for
Gallantry is the highest possible award for gallantry in action, consisting of
special heroism, or risk.
Cross for Gallantry
RESA: Silver Wolf emblem. The Silver Wolf is an award for services of the
most exceptional character, normally of national or international
importance, and is only granted at the discretion of the Chief
Commissioner or Chief Rover Scout, but recommendations may be
submitted.
Silver Wolf
RESA: Silver Acorn emblem. The Silver Acorn is awarded for especially
distinguished services granted at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner
and International Scout Masters Court of Honour.
Silver Acorn
RESA: Order of Merit emblem. The Order of Merit is awarded for
meritorious acts, involving heroism or risk of life; or for especially good
works and/or services for the Scout Movement.
Order of Merit
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RESA: Distinguished Order of Merit emblem. The Distinguished Order of
Merit is awarded for meritorious acts for those who have already received
the Order of Merit award, not involving heroism or risk of life; or for
especially good service of outstanding character.
Distinguished Order of
Merit
Medal of Merit
RESA: Medal of Merit or fifteen years service emblem. The Medal of
Merit is awarded for meritorious conduct and service. It is also issued for
15 years service in the Scout Movement. The application must contain a
full statement of the service or works and must show, unless the case is an
exceptional one, service of outstanding character.
RESA: 5 years service emblem - deleted - but is being re- introduced in the
future.
RESA: Rovers’ Order of St. George
Rovers’ Order of St.
George
Preliminary Training
Intermediate Training
The Rovers’ Order of St. George, the patron saint of Scouting, is sponsored by the Rover
Scouts Philippines and the Rover Explorer Scout Association. It is presented in the three
standard colors of Scouting for outstanding service to Rover Scouting and the community.
Background of the knot is the British ribbon for the Medal of Saints George and Michael,
blue/crimson/blue (with permission). Green is for the color of the forest. RESA is
apparently one of the primary sponsors of Rover Scouts throughout the world.
RESA Training Awards - The Wood Badge is the RESA training scheme.
In RESA it is incumbent on all leaders to train and it is a standing order
that all leaders who wish to hold a full warrant in any section should hold
at least the basic award. It is also a command that all leaders should
complete the full Wood Badge two Beads within two years. In the US,
until now, you can remain an untrained leader for as long as you wish. In
other countries, a conditional warrant will be issued, which will not be
renewed unless training is completed in a certain period of time.
Preliminary Training Completion - This knot is blue with a maroon
background. Please note that this knot, as in several of the knots above and
below, is not a true Figure 8 knot. It would become a single straight rope if
both ends were pulled. The reason for this is that the WOSM knots are
copyright - this allows them to use and distributed their knots without any
problems.
Intermediate Training Completion - This knot is red on a black
background.
Wood Badge - This is not a knot. This square badge shows two Wood
Badge beads. They issue the O’Donnell tartan patch on a fawn scarf, a
woggle, and wood beads.
Wood Badge
12
The images for the St. George and RESA Training Awards are courtesy of
Richard Stone, of the Kudu Rover Crew of Bardstown, KY. Ray
Hampton, the Chief Commissioner of RESA, was kind enough to correct
this listing.
UK Girl Guides.
30 Year Service Pin. I have recently discovered UK Girl Guide service
pins/brooches on the Internet, illustrated at left.
20 Year Service Pin. This was later a 25 Year Service Pin. I have seen a
statement that they were all replaced circa 2005 with Recognition
Brooches of a different design.
White knot
10/15 Year Service Pin. White knot. Originally 10 year pin, later 15 years,
according to an unverified source on the Internet.
All of my monographs are available by contacting me at one of the
addresses below.
George Crowl, 16213 Congo Ln, Jersey Village, TX 77040,
george.h.crowl@gmail.com
© 2005, Version 11.0, 1/1/2016
References:
Applying for Decorations and Awards of The Scout Association. No
publishing data provided.
Many scans provided by Peter Ford of Scouting Past and Present Archives.
http://www.sbuk.org.uk/info.centre/catalog.php?cat=227#LS60
http://scouts.org.uk/documents/supportandresources/Training/Award%20i
mages%20poster.pdf
www.badenpowellscouts.org.uk/
http://groups.msn.com/RoverExplorerScoutsAssociation/shoebox.msnw
www.scouts.ca/media//documents/AwardPoster.pdf
http://scouts.org.nz/sanz/download.php?view.17
www.scouts.com.au/library/
[www.scoutalog.com is an ongoing project of the Scout Memorabilia
Collectors of Canada, where Scout and Scouter badges are being entered in
an attempt at a definitive catalog.]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_the_Philippines
www.scout.org.hk/eng/ Awards
www.scouting.org.za/library/por/POR-10.pdf
www.maltascout.org.mt/awardecorations.htm
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