Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 303

The posthumous Cornwell Scout Decoration awarded to Scout Patrick Brady, Leasowe Crippled Children's Hospital Group, West Wirral

Scout Association, Cornwell Bronze Badge (30/7/36 P Brady), engraved to the reverse, in its fitted case of issue, extremely fine

Patrick Brady had been in a plaster splint for nineteen months, suffering from tuberculosis of several ribs, and was equally well spoken of by the Matron of his hospital, his District Commissioner and others, but he was called to Higher Service before the Decoration could be presented to him. (The Scouter, September 1936).

Wallasey News:

'The fortitude exhibited by a dying Bootle boy named Patrick Brady, aged 15, and a hopeless cripple as the result of an injured spinesustained in the football field, has earned the posthumous award of the "Cornwell" decoration of the Boy Scouts' Association.

The award is made for "courage, capability and character". The lad, a keen footballer, was injured two years ago when playing for St Alexander's Catholic School. He was taken to the Margaret Beavan Hospital for Crippled Children at Leasowe, Wallasey, where he joined a troop of scouts known as Margaret Beavan's Own. He had tuberculosis of the spine, but, states the Scouts' weekly news bulletin, "he bore all his pain with great fortitude, courage and a smile. He was always ready to carry on."

A month ago, when his condition became critical, he made a request to see "Dixie" Dean, the famous Everton footballer. Dean (as reported in the Wallasey News at the time) went and chatted with the boy and showed him his medals, and brady proudly produced the medal which he won when he scored the only goal which gave his side victory in the final match of the Roman Catholic Schools League.

A few days later Brady was dead.

He died while efforts were being made to rush through the presentation of the highest decoration it was possible to give him. The presentation will now be made to his parents.'

The Cornwell Scout Badge is an award for youth members of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom and some other Scouting associations within the Commonwealth of Nations. It is awarded in recognition of devotion to duty, courage and endurance. The badge was created in 1916 in memory of a boy sailor and Scout, Jack Cornwell, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Jutland; sold together with framed and glazed certificate for the Decoration, dated 30 July 1936 and signed by Baden Powell of Gilwell.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£650

Starting price
£500