The Boy Scouts and the Swastika: A Forgotten Chapter

Among the most striking pre-war Scout awards is the Boy Scouts Association Medal of Merit (3rd Issue, c.1927–1934), easily recognised by its unusual design. At its centre sits the fleur-de-lys, the worldwide emblem of Scouting, overlaid on a swastika — a symbol which, before the Second World War, was widely used across Europe and North America as a sign of good fortune and progress.

The example shown here is a scarce 1935-dated piece by Collins of London, complete with its original green ribbon and brooch bar. This was issued right at the moment when the swastika, once a positive emblem, had already become indelibly associated with the rise of National Socialism in Germany. Within just a few years, the Boy Scouts dropped the symbol entirely from their badges and awards.

Collectors today value these medals not only as rare Scouting decorations, but also as tangible reminders of how quickly historical symbols can change meaning. Surviving named and dated examples like this one offer a fascinating insight into the interwar years of the Scouting movement and its global connections.

Find similar medals and awards for sale in our British Medals and Awards collection.