Francis "Skipper" Gidney (1890-1928) was an early leader of the Scouting movement in the United Kingdom and organized the first Wood Badge adult leader training course at Gilwell Park in September 1919. He became the first Gilwell Camp Chief in May 1919 and served until 1923. The Gidney Cabin at Gilwell was named in his honour and serves as a training centre. His pen-name was "Gilcraft". Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, so that they may play constructive roles in society. ... The Wood Badge or Woodbadge is the recognition received by adults in Scouting who have completed the Leader training program provided by their respective Scout Association. ... For the campsite in Victoria, Australia, see Gilwell Park (Victoria). ...

Gidney started one of the first Scout troops in 1908, when he was only 17 years old.^[1] Gidney then served in World War I and died of wounds therefrom at the age of 38. His wife cared little for Scouting and she complained that he was underpaid. The marriage eventually broke up prior to his death.^[1] “The Great War” redirects here. ...

Disputes over how Gilwell Park should be managed led to Gidney resigning in 1923, which greatly upset the founder of the Scouting movement, Robert Baden-Powell.^[1] Gidney then worked as a Master at a preparatory school in Bournemouth. Gidney's influence upon Scouting, especially in the areas of camp management, training, and Wood Badge, can not be underestimated. It was his idea to start the 1st Gilwell Scout troop for all Wood Badge holders, with its distinctive neckerchief and he successfully established the pattern still used for modern-day Gilwell reunions.^[1] For the musician, see Baden Powell de Aquino. ... See also Bournemouth a place in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. ...

See also

Image File history File links Scout_logo2. ...

References