VICTOR WATKINS

THE FIRST KING’S SCOUT

1891 – 1976

In a period in the history of Scouting where centenaries are becoming almost a weekly occurrence, one event stood out recently as perhaps the most significant since the birth of Scouting itself. On a bright, chilly winter morning in the village of Broadstone in Poole, Dorset, a blue plaque was unveiled on the side of the Bollywood Tandoori Restaurant at the corner of York Road and The Broadway.  This was to commemorate the life of Patrol Leader Victor Watkins of the Broadstone Troop.  He was the first King’s Scout in the world who achieved this award on 10 December 1909.  He had lived in the property, (where his father ran a Grocery Shop) most of his life.
Only a few weeks beforehand on 3 October 1909, King Edward VII had invited B-P to spend a weekend at Balmoral where he had conferred on him a KCVO in recognition of his founding of the Boy Scout Movement.  During dinner B-P suggested to the King that Scouts who had proved themselves exceptionally by achieving special tests of efficiency and skill should have the title “King’s Scouts”.  The King agreed and proposed that the Scouts should be allowed to wear a Royal Crown Badge on their arm. 
In consultation with his right hand man Percy Everett, B-P lost no time in issuing the requirements in Headquarters Gazette.  This information was noticed by Alan Fletcher, who was the first Secretary of Poole Scout Council and also Victor’s Scoutmaster.  Realising that Victor had only one test to pass, he immediately telephoned his father to get him to Bournemouth Swimming Baths and pass his swimming test as soon as possible.  Alan then wired Imperial Headquarters to confirm that P.L. Victor Watkins of the Broadstone Scout Troop had completed all the badges for this award.  The badge was presented on 10 December 1909.

Brian Woolgar (Chairman of Poole District Scout Council) who was the prime mover behind the concept, acquisition and unveiling of the statue of B-P on the Waterfront at Poole Quay on 13 August 2008, was also the facilitator for this, another unique, nationally significant occasion.

Assembly was in the hall of St John`s Church (where the Group started in 1908) and the Group Chairman Geoff Harrison welcomed everyone.  We walked the short distance to the site under the strict eye and instruction of GSL Gill McDonald. Scouts each proudly carried an original Group flag and a Union flag (and is inscribed on the brass bayonet coupling) that was presented to the Group by the Watkins family on the death of Victor in 1976.
Geoff Dennis the District Commissioner of Poole carried out the unveiling and as this all took place on a busy road junction, some allowance had to be made for passing traffic and pedestrians. 



Following the return to the Hall, Councillor The Revd Charles K Meachin, Mayor of Poole, gave an informed and inspiring talk, directed at the young people present, where he explained that in his younger days he had become a King’s Scout and how this achievement and that of being a Scout had helped him throughout his personal, spiritual and business life to a major extent.  He also explained to them in a clear and precise way how the award had come into being and the hard work that Victor had done to become the first to achieve this.  He paid tribute to John Harrison (son of the Group Chairman) who at the age of 20 had become the latest holder of the Queen’s Scout Award in Poole.  John, who was a previous member of the Broadstone Scout Group is now an ASL of the Third Poole Sea Scout Troop.
Amongst over 100 parents, friends and supporters, other distinguished guests were Barbara Hockley and John Phillips, the Granddaughter and Grandson of Victor Watkins, Mrs Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, Val Marsden, GSL of the First Parkstone Group as well as representatives from other local Groups.

The eleven core photographs show: 

- The Blue Plaque; *
- Patrol Leader Victor Watkins (1891-1976);
- The certificate and citation of the Gilt Cross for bravery of his son,  
Patrol Leader Richard Brindsley Watkins (1921-1942) that was
awarded on 26 August 1934;
- District Commissioner of Poole, Geoff Dennis, with
Mayor of Poole. Cllr. The Revd Charles K Meachin,
Chairman of Poole District Scout Council Brian Woolgar;
- The VIP unveiling party;
- Grandson John Phillips and Granddaughter Barbara Hockley;
- Group Scout Leader Gill Mcdonald holding a replica of the plaque;
- Member of Parliament Mrs Annette Brooke talking to Assistant Scout
Leader John Harrison.

* If a full compliment of photographs or further circulation of the observation report is required, please do not hesitate to request them with contact details.

These observations have been compiled and photographed with the full approval and support of the Group and District on 12 December 2009 by :-

FRANK  L BRITTAIN
Archivist, History & Heritage Support Team, Hertfordshire Scouts This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
0845 643 6973 or 07850 818600

Dated: 12 December 2009 and updated on 08 January 2010.