Poppy & Scouts VE Day 80 Occasional Uniform Badge

Thursday, 8 May, is VE Day 80 (Victory in Europe Day). This marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, with the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies in May 1945.

The day is an opportunity to remember the 450,000 from the UK who lost their lives in the war (including 70,000 civilians) as well as the millions more across Europe and around the world. The event will be marked by commemorative events across the UK.

Scouts are invited to light beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at 9.30pm on Thursday, 8 May.

#ScoutsforPeace

The VE Day 80 – Scouts for Peace Occasional Badge can be worn on uniform from May to October 2025.

10% of net sales from the sale of all the products in the Scouts-Poppy Range will be paid to Royal British Legion Trading Limited (Company No. 4783730 registered in England and Wales) which gives its taxable profits to The Royal British Legion (Charity No. 219279) and Poppyscotland (Scottish Charity No. SC014096).

2025: A year of commemoration

Looking ahead, these are some of the key moments in 2025 when we will be thinking more deeply about peace. You may have already planned some activities in your programme around these.

In all cases, there are simple things Scouts can do, as well as more in-depth ways to explore the issue.

Scouts for peace: How we can help build a better future

From local Remembrance events to World Scout Jamborees, Scouts continue to strive for international peace, friendship and understanding. This year, as we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we look ahead to commemoration events, as well as simple actions we can take to build a better future. 

Our role in promoting peace

As Scouts, we've always taken positive action to promote peace. World Scout Jamborees have become powerful ways to bring people together across borders, nurturing international understanding and friendship. The 1st World Scout Jamboree, held in London in 1920, was created specifically in response to the First World War to inspire peace among the next generation and between the nations.

In a similar spirit, Remembrance events each year in November give us an opportunity to give thanks for the peace some of us are lucky enough to enjoy. They also help us be mindful of those who've sacrificed their lives, continue to risk their lives and those who are living in places of conflict.

Messengers of Peace

At a global level, World Scouting’s Messengers of Peace help build a culture of peace and sustainable development worldwide.

This means education, awareness, supporting refugees and taking other humanitarian action.

Globally, over the last 15 years, Scouts have given 2.7 billion hours of service towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Here in the UK, we'll be looking at integrating Messengers for Peace and Dialogue for Peace into our programme later this year.

The Scouts and the Royal British Legion
Our poppy partnership for 2024

The Royal British Legion supports the Armed Forces community, past and present. Scouts was active throughout the world wars and, as such, we want to support the Royal British Legion to remember those who've been and continue to be affected by conflict.

As Scouts we’re privileged to partner with them. This is why we created a joint product range for our members and their families to wear on Remembrance Sunday – and beyond.

The links below provide more information on the Scouts / Royal British Legion (RBL) Partnership and Scouts Heritage pieces on Scouts' activity throughout the World Wars.

Scouts for Peace

VE Prepared Activities

Scouts - Supporters of the Royal British Legion (RBL)

Scouts - Supporting Remembrance

From Flax to Flight - Growing up, digging deep: the story of Scouts, food & farming

Scouting on the Home Front

Scouts during the Second World War