Last Message

Baden-Powell's Parting Words:

" Dear Scouts,
If you have ever seen the play Peter Pan you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of goodbye.

Remember, it is the last you will ever hear from me, so think it over.

I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.

I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn’t come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.

Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. ‘Be Prepared’ in this way, to live happy and to die happy – stick to your Scout promise always – even after you have ceased to be a boy – and God help you to do it.

Your Friend,

Baden-Powell "

This message to all Scouts was found among B-P's papers after he died at Nyeri, Kenya on 8th Jan 1941.

In 1938, in declining health, Baden-Powell left England to return for the last time to his beloved Africa and his home 'Paxtu' in Nyeri, Kenya. Boarding his ship he said:

"I wish you were going with me not only to see the place, but to settle there in that happy country. So come along in your thoughts if you cannot come yourselves and you will remember that there are crowds of your brother Scouts out there ready to welcome you."

He continued to write books and correspond widely until his death in 1941 at age 83.

His grave has both the Boy Scout and Girl Guide emblems The Round circle with central dot below the inscription on his tombstone is his Boy Scout trail sign for "I have gone home".

It was proposed to bury Baden-Powell in Westminster Abbey in London - amongst Kings & Queens of England and other celebrated Britons. The selected place was between the great tomb of The Unknown Warrior & the tomb of David Livingstone (Africa explorer & missionary).

After consideration of this great national honor - the family decided he should instead be laid to rest in Africa near his home within sight of Mt. Kenya. His funeral there was conducted with full military honors befitting a General of the British Army and national hero. In addition an honor guard of Boy Scouts from Africa, Europe and Asia was in attendance.

Much later, after the death of his wife - Olave Baden-Powell in 1977, a stone plaque was placed in the floor of Westminster Abbey near the main entrance commemorating both B-P and Olave who continued actively supporting both the Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements until her death.

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