Get 20% off Summer Camp Essentials | Use code SUMMER20 | T&Cs apply |Save Now

Scouts VE Day 80th Anniversary

Share
A Scouting commemoration for VE Day 80th Anniversary
Thursday 8 May is the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, usually referred to as VE Day; this day marks the end of the Second World War in Europe with the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies in May 1945.
It's the opportunity to remember the 450,000 people, including 70 thousand civilians, from the UK who lost their lives in the war as well as the millions more across Europe and around the world.
At Scout Store, we have partnered with the Royal British Legion to create a bespoke collection to mark this commemoration and 10% of net sales from the sale of all the products in this range will be paid to Royal British Legion Trading Limited.
As it's the official Scouting & RBL partnership for VE Day we will share the profits with the charity at the heart of a national network that supports the UK Armed Forces community.
Why are Scouts involved?
You might not know this, but Scouts played a significant role during the Second World War, as our Heritage collection shows. After years of war, many Scouts celebrated on 8th May and many pages were printed on Scout's Magazine for the occasion.
Read this account from a Scout in Jersey: what they risked, what happened with the Gastapo raided the house where their meeting place was, and what it feels like not living in fear for being a Scout.
There was more to it than just the feeling of freedom again: the 31st May 1945 Scouts Magazine issue shown below gives us an overview of what the end of the war meant to a movement that cherishes cooperation and friendship worldwide, as our Scout Law says:
A Scout is to be trusted.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is friendly and considerate.
A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.
Get involved:
Commemorative events across the UK will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and Scouts are invited to light beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at 9:30pm on Thursday 8th May.
The Royal British Legion is organising events to mark this anniversary, involving veterans from the UK, Commonwealth and beyond, but if you feel like organising a commemoration with your group or section, register it here so it can be recorded nationally.
But if there's one thing you'll do to mark this occasion, then get yourself a VE Day 80 - Scouts for Peace Occasional Badge or a pin badge below.