When the Great War commenced in the summer of 1914, Scouting was still very new. Some groups had just opened, districts had begun to form, but many leaders were called away to fight for their country – along with Scouts who’d falsified their records to seem older. The same happened again in the autumn of 1939 after the Invasion of Poland, but this time Scouting was bigger – more men and boys had forged new skills in Scouting that helped them on the battlefields, out at sea and in the air.
The Allies won both wars, but the lives of many Scouts were still lost. Some groups lost so many that they ended up closing. However, some Scouts were awarded for their bravery, and we still remember their legacies today.
Captain John Fox Russell
Victoria Cross, Military Cross
Captain Fox Russell was from Holyhead and was a member of the 1st Holyhead Scout Troop, in which he was a member of the Wolf Patrol. During WWI he was a medical officer with the R.W.F 1st/6th Battalion (Anglesey and Caernarvonshire) regiment. He was awarded the Military Cross for his efforts in the First Battle of Gaza, and then the Victoria Cross for his efforts at Tel-el-Khuwwilfeh, Palestine. He was killed in action on the November 6th 1917 at the age of 24. It was his family who helped to fund the building of the original Menai Bridge Scout hut.
Major Richard G. W. Williams-Bulkeley
Military Cross
Major Williams-Bulkeley was from Beaumaris and was the Scoutmaster of the 1st Anglesey (Beaumaris) Scout Troop. He fought for his country in WWI, gaining the rank of Lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards and Major in the Welsh Guards. He was awarded the Military Cross for his efforts in the Battle of Loos, but died at home on March 28th 1918 at the age of 30 due to wounds received in battle.
Captain Henry T. Fox Russell
Military Cross, 1914-15 Star
Captain H. T. Fox Russell was the brother of Cpt. J. Fox Russell and was also a a member of the 1st Holyhead Scout Troop, Wolf Patrol. During WW1 he served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Egypt, achieving the rank of Lieutenant and eventually Captain. He then flew with the Royal Air Force; during his time with them he was awarded the Military Cross for saving the life of a pilot who’s plane was shot down, just after his own plane had been shot down. He died on November 18th 1918 after crashing his own plane, just a week after the war ended. It was his family who helped to fund the building of the original Menai Bridge Scout hut.
Private Cecil Edwards
Military Medal
Private Edwards was from Holyhead; he was a keen member of the 1st Holyhead Troop, Wolf Patrol, who became Patrol Leader, and eventually ASM after the War. He initially served as a signaller with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, but later transferred to the Royal Engineers, with whom he served in northern France. Pt. Edwards was awarded the Military Medal in 1916, for showing bravery in the form of repairing equipment under fire. During the Second World War he served as a member of the Land Army. He died aged 54 in October 1947, having survived both wars.
Major Robert M. W. Jones
Military Cross, 1914-15 Star
Major R. M. W. Jones, also known as Robin, was a member of the 1st Holyhead Troop, Wolf Patrol. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, later earning the Military Cross and the rank of Major. He survived both wars, and died on September 21st 1989 at the ripe old age of 94.
Captain Frederick N. Riley, DSO
DSO, Mercantile Marine Medal, British War Medal, 1939 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star
Cpt. Riley, who also went by Neville or Ric, was a highly decorated Captain in the Merchant Navy who served in both World Wars. He was a member of the 1st Holyhead Troop, where he was awarded the Silver Medal for gallantry in saving the life of a drowning boy. He was awarded his Distinguished Service Order on 8th September 1942, after serving in ‘Operation Pedestal’ in August 1942. During the journey along the coast of Tunisia, Africa he had to nurse his ship M.V. Brisbane Star along the African coast alone after being struck by an unhooked torpedo from a torpedo plane. Only one crew member perished, even though a massive hole was blown open in the bow. Riley later emigrated to Australia, where he lived the rest of his life.
Private Mesach Rowlands
British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1914-15 Star
Private Rowlands was from Penmynydd and was a Patrol Leader in 1st Anglesey Troop (1st Beaumaris). Rowlands lied on his enlistment form when he decided to fight in the First World War: he claimed that he was 19, whereas he was only 16 – merely the age of an Explorer Scout. He fought with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and died of wounds in France on 26th January 1916 at the age of 17.
