Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 08 March 1941
Gesture by Scouts
South Yorkshire Journalist Honoured
At a party held at the headquarters of the 25th Barnsley (Wombwell) Group of Boy Scouts at Wombwell Main on Saturday, the Scouts’ Gold ‘Thanks” Badge was awarded to Mr. Joseph Upton. well – known South Yorkshire Journalist and member of the editorial staff of the “South Yorkshire Times.”
The badge was awarded in appreciation of good services to scouting over a number of years. Other holders of the badge at Wombwell are the Rector, Canon J. St. Leger Blakeney, who was awarded the honour in appreciation of work for the World Jamboree at Birkenhead in 1929, Miss D. Elliott, J.P., captain of the Wombwell Company of Rangers and secretary of Wombwell Main Colliery and Mrs. Snell, sister of Miss Elliott.
The badge is a comparatively rare distinction entitling the holder to call upon Scouts for assistance in time of difficulty or danger.
Assistant District Commissioner and G.S.M. E. E. Lines explained the various ways in which Mr. Upton had assisted Scouts and associated organisations, and said it had been felt for some time that he was next in order of merit for receiving the distinction. He said that when called upon for advice or assistance of any kind Mr. Upton had never failed them.
A.D.C. Lines then called upon Troop-Leader Gordon Wilson to hand over the badge, which is in the form of a framed Fleur de Lis.
Acknowledging the honour, Mr. Upton said he admired Scout leaders because of the patience and resourcefulness they displayed. As to the rank and file of the craft he admired most of all their modesty and envied most of all their appetites. He said he had always found it a great pleasure to assist the Scout movement, if only because they were some thirty years ahead of anyone else in discovering the ” youth problem,” and commencing to tackle it in a common sense, practical and highly successful manner. He would always be proud to wear the badge.
The party was held in honour of the fourteenth anniversary of the foundation of the group. Rangers. Rovers. Guides, Cubs and Scouts from other companies attended, the party numbering altogether about a hundred. The company had supper in relays and afterwards enjoyed games