|
|
cover information:
|
THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY of Baden-Powell will be read with eager interest by the multitudes of people who remember him in either aspect of what he jestingly called his 'double life', first in the Army and then as the Founder and inspirer of the Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements. Both these careers are treated fully by Mr. Reynolds, who shows that the basic methods used in the Boy Scouts were developed by B.P. during his earlier experiences in India, Matabeleland and South Africa. The author is a practised and attractive writer who has been intimately associated with the Boy Scout movement for over a quarter of a century and was for some years on the Staff of the Training Camp at Gilwell Park. He has had access to all the available documents and has utilized information from many first-hand sources which have enabled him to give a fascinating account of such events as the Siege of Mafeking. SOME REVIEWS OF THE FIRST IMPRESSION 'a work that does fitting honour to the Chief Scout and, through him, to the great movement he created. . . .' Observer '. . . will be the standard work on a great and much beloved figure. . . .' Belfast Telegraph a distinct addition to the literature of the social life of our times. . . .' Schoolmaster This admirable biography. . . .' Scotsman This book does not leave the reader in doubt that B-P was one of the greatest generals of modern times. . . .' Catholic Herald A mine of valuable information to all who are interested in the Scout Movement. . . .' Church Times '. . . The author has done his work as well as his subject lived his life ... and what a full life it was! . . .' Punch ' . . The Chief Scout's amazing career as an evangelist of international comradeship, his tireless energy, and his lovable, inspiring personality, are admirably portrayed in the first authoritative and complete memoir. . . .' Illustrated London News |
THE writing of this book was undertaken at the request of the Council of the Boy Scouts Association; that is the only sense in which the result can be termed an official biography, for I have been allowed full liberty in the choice and interpretation of the wealth of material put at my disposal.
It is difficult adequately to acknowledge all the help I have received, for so many have sent me letters and other documents as well as notes of personal reminiscences, that the list of names alone would take up much space. But some particular kinds of help must be mentioned briefly.
The Chief Guide, Lady Baden-Powell, kindly gave permission for the use of such private papers as were accessible. Some documents have been safely stored and a few, unhappily, destroyed, but Mrs. E. K. Wade, for so many years B.-P.'s private secretary, has generously allowed me to use extracts which she had made from the stored papers. These if available would doubtless have added some details, but the material I have examined is so full that I do not think further documentation would make any great difference to the picture.
Colonel H. G. Kennard, C.B.E., who served in India when B.-P commanded the 5th Dragoon Guards, has kindly read through the pages referring to that period; General Sir Alexander Godley, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., the Major Godley of Mafeking and subsequently B.-P.'s Staff Officer, has been good enough to read the section dealing with the siege and the following campaign, while Brig.-General R. Harvey Kearsley, C.M.G., C.V.O., D.S.0., who served in the South African Constabulary and was A.D.C. to B.-P. when Inspector-General of Cavalry, has done a similar service for the accounts I have written of the S.A.C. and of the Cavalry. I am greatly indebted to these officers for their valuable comments, but 1 alone must accept responsibility for what is printed in the following pages.
To Sir Percy Everett, the present Deputy Chief Scout, I would express my gratitude, for he gave me full access to his own personal records, and has put at my disposal his unique knowledge of the growth of the Scout and Guide Movements, in both of which he has taken an important part since the beginning.
Many former officers and men, a great number of Scouters and Guiders of all ranks, have contributed valuable information, and many have patiently answered my queries; to all these I would offer my warmest thanks. if I have in some degree been able to draw the portrait of the man we all followed so happily, it is in a great measure due to their help.
The first part of the biography is in chronological order, but it seemed more convenient in the later chapters to group the information by topics; this second part is not a history of the Scout and Guide Movements, and readers who are familiar with that story must not be surprised if well-known personalities and events do not receive much or any attention. It was indeed a difficult task to select just those matters which would give the best account of the man. It should also be understood that much referring to Scouts equally describes the methods and principles of the Guide Movement.
A note on the name 'Baden-Powell' will be of interest. It was not until 1902 that by Royal Licence the additional surname and arms of Baden were assumed. Up to that date 'Baden' was used as a Christian name, and B.-P.'s father was always known as the Revd., or Professor, Baden Powell. In this book I have not used the hyphen when referring to him, but have done so for all other members of the family, since the use of the hyphen was gradually adopted some years before the beginning of this century.
As there is some dispute about the correct pronunciation, the matter can be settled by the following rhyme composed by B.-P.
Man, matron, maiden,
Please call it Baden,
Further for Powell.
Rhyme it with Noel.
I wish to acknowledge the courtesy of those who have permitted me to make use of copyright material.
The extract from The Letters of Queen Victoria (published by John Murray) is quoted by permission.
The Rt. Hon. Malcolm MacDonald has allowed me to print a letter written by his father, the Rt. Hon. J. Ramsay MacDonald, and Mr. W. A. Lansbury has similarly permitted the use of a letter from his father, the Rt. Hon. George Lansbury.
C. Arthur Pearson, Ltd., have given permission for extracts from Lessons from the 'Varsity of Life and other books by B.-P. of which they are publishers.
Methuen & Co., Ltd., have permitted quotations from The Downfall of Prempeh and The Matabele Campaign, and Herbert Jenkins, Ltd., from Indian Memories.
It has not been possible to trace the copyrights of some of the illustrations, but I trust that the difficulties of the times may excuse any failures.
Finally, thanks are due to my friend, Mr. J. F. Colquhoun, Deputy. Chief Commissioner of the Boy Scouts Association, for his care in reading the proofs.
E. E. REYNOLDS
Boy Scouts Imperial Headquarters
25 Buckingham Palace Road
London, S. W 2 March 1942
|
|
