Figure 1.--Baden-Powell was a competent illusrator. This was a World war I poster he drew anout the British home front. Notice the Boy Scout.

British Scouts played an active role on the home front. We do not yet have a lot of detail, but have begun to collect information on specific activities. They were involved in a range of morale building activities, such as sending the soldiers off the the front. Scouts provided assistance to the military in a variety of more direct ways. They became messengers and helped guard coastal areas and stations. I have not yet, however, been able to find details. I believe they were involved in agricultural labor as well as many other public service activities. American Scouts wer involved with Victor Gardens. I'm not sure if this was also the case in Britain. This is an interesting topic I want to persue, but to date have been unsucessful in finding any actual information. Hopefully our English readers will be able to provide some information. An English reader writes, "I have a little information about Scouts during World War I. Baden-Powell sent telegrams to Scouts who did heroic deeds durng the War. I also have a letter detailing the things the Scouts got up to and am trying to find it."

Morale

The Scouts were involved in a range of morale building activities, such as sending the soldiers off the the front. Often these were local men from the community that many of the boys would have known. We suspect that there wee also parades and civic events in which the Scouts also participated.

Assistance to the Military

Scouts provided assistance to the military in a variety of more direct ways. They became messengers and helped guard coastal areas and stations. I have not yet, however, been able to find details.

Agricultural Labor

I believe they were involved in agricultural labor. This was a very important activity. With so many men away from the front, agriculturl production could have been impaired. Germay ignored this problem and agricultural production plumetted. This was a a major reason that the German home front collapsed. Of course Britain, unlike Germany vould impprt food from America, the Dominions, and countries like Argentina. The British naval blockade made it impossible for the Germans to do this.

Public Service Activities

Scouts were involved in a range of public service activities.

Victory Gardens

American Scouts wer involved with Victor Gardens. I'm not sure if this was also the case in Britain.

Finding Information

This is an interesting topic I want to persue, but to date have been unsucessful in finding any actual information. I was a lottle surprised at this because I thought there would be a good bit of information available. Hopefully our English readers will be able to provide some information. An English reader writes, "I have a little information about Scouts during World War I. Baden-Powell sent telegrams to Scouts who did heroic deeds durng the War. I also have a letter detailing the things the Scouts got up to and am trying to find it."