Robert Baden Powell & The Siege of Mafeking | 1899-1900 Boer War, South Africa

Robert Baden Powell, the Siege of Mafeking & the roots of the Boy Scouts.
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In 1907, 20 boys came together for a camp on Brownsea Island, in Poole harbour, Dorset.
It was the brain child of Boer War veteran, Robert Baden-Powell.
Little could he, or they, know that the camp would give birth to the World Scout Movement, which now has over 40 million members worldwide.
Whilst many people probably know that Robert Baden-Powell was the founder of the Scouts, many won’t know that the idea of this youth organisation came out of the Boer War in South Africa.
And more directly, from Baden-Powell’s own experiences during the siege of Mafeking (1899-1900)
Without the siege of Mafeking there probably wouldn’t be a Scouting Movement.
Without the young boys in the town forming a cadet force to run errands during that long siege, Baden-Powell might not have had the idea.
And, if Baden-Powell hadn’t become a national hero because he held out against the Boers for 217 days, maybe his camp on Brownsea island would never have received the publicity that helped launch the movement.
This is the story of Robert Baden-Powell, the siege of Mafeking and the birth of World Scouting.
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Videos that are good links to this story:
The Jameson Raid (1895-96)
• The Jameson Raid, Sou...
An introduction to the Boer War
• Boer War, South Africa...
Baden-Powell's plucky defence of this isolated town on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, caught the imagination of the British public.
Quite frankly, they were depseraste for any good news after the Boers inflicted three defeasts on their army in less than a week.
And whilst, imperialist and mining magnate, Cecil Rhodes, was sending doom-laden messages from the beseiged town of Kimberley, Baden-Powell seemed to almost being treating the siege of Mafeking like agame.
Od the many ingenious ways that he came up with for the town's defence was the of the Mafeking Cadet Corps, for boys below military age.
The cadets assisted in running errands, helping in the hospital anf acting as lookouts.
It was this group of boys who gave Baden-Powell the idea of establishing a similar sort of movement after the Boer War.
So whilst the camp on Brownsea Island in 1907 is officially the start of Scouting, it could be argued that those boys in Mafeking were the fore-runners of the worldwide Scouting Movement.
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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:23 Robert Baden-Powell
1:58 Matabele War
2:53 To Mafeking
4:33 Boer War
5:16 Siege of Mafeking
7:16 The Wolf
8:22 Food Supplies
9:56 Mafeking Cadet Corps
10:43 Unlike Cecil Rhodes
13:11 Lady Sarah Wilson
13:44 First Victoria Cross
15:09 General Snyman
15:34 Battle of Game Tree Fort
16:35 Controversy
17:55 Mafeking "Black Watch"
19:26 Boer Attack
22:02 Relief of Mafeking
23:54 BP The Hero
25:33 World Scouting Movement
26:29 The History Chap
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/ thehistorychap
My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or KZbin animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@GarthKlein]

What you did not mention was that BP had already honed woodcraft skills while at Charterhouse School. He would often disappear for days and the masters would search for him in vain. It is also important to note that his army manual. "Aids to Scouting," which he wrote after the Boer War, was used by boys across Britain as the basis of a game of scouting and it was this that inspired the Brownsea Island camp.

[@TheHistoryChap]

really? So he learned nothing from the Zulus, Matabele, Burnham et al?

[@SurvivingScouting]

What you did not mention is his hobby was scouting for boys… and hiding perpetrators instead of reporting them to the police!

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

@@TheHistoryChap enjoyed a lot chris. thanks.

[@365Ishron]

Great bit of history. Having been in the scouts, Baden-Powell is a name that was always bantered around as being the source of all skills. This had such an impact to all the scouts. Epic story, well told. Thank you!!!

[@wildcatoutdoors]

Sad what that organization has fallen to

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

I have Frederick Russell Burnham DSO Book scouting on two continents. He had a very adventurous life and fought in two wars for the British empire. They should really make a movie about him. Would like to see you do a video on him. Cheers Ron

[@nr875]

The Splendid Savage is an amazing book about him as well. Guy loved so many lives, Indian fighter, desert gold miner, range war survivor, Yukon gold miner, then African scout and miner. Only man that Teddy Roosevelt would stop talking and listen to.

[@TheHistoryChap]

May very well do that.

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

@@nr875 I have read that book as well. I read it first before I found his autobiography. You should try to find his autobiography. He and Teddy Roosevelt and Winston Churchill are some of the people I admire in history.

[@V.B.Squire]

The first generation of scouts were grown and ready when WW1 broke out P.S. can't believe they used Antique and HOMEMADE CANNONS WHAT THE FUCK

[@randeshjayawandhane2844]

As a Scout myself, this battle was quite interesting, as we were almost never taught about it in this depth. Thank you for another great history video!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you found it interesting.

[@napalmholocaust9093]

Good thing about the scouts is there's no desertion. You have no idea how disappointed my stepfather was to quit the scouts. He was there in the 80's. During the first wave of dismantling for the things others had done. Those were his good memories of life. Before his boy grew-up to hate, before a divorce. He tone was always resigned about it.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing.

[@lonnietoth5765]

I'm 70 and raised an Eagle Scout . I was a third class and my parents pulled me out . My 25 year old son was hired out of seven other trainers for a position . When he was hired he called me and asked how I thought he got the job . I told him , I don't have to think about it ! I knew it was because he was an Eagle Scout . I spent 9 year Army , and in basic training , an Eagle Scout was made squad leader and at graduation , promoted to PFC . One year as a stretching trainer for this company ( Stretch Flex ) he was now given a managers position . I taught him to be hungry and keep looking up that ladder . He started serving his country starting as a Tiger Cub then Cup Scout then Boy Scout and then Eagle Scout ! Surpassed my Service time ! Scouting , like the military , gives us all the same opportunity to climb , stay put or fall ! Choose Wisely !

[@grzzz2287]

The Boers were hopeless at siege warfare! None of the three besieged towns - Mafeking, Ladysmith or Kimberley ever came close to falling. It just didn't fit with the Boer operations mentality. Thanks Chris, for another very informative presentation!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure.

[@peterrooke5336]

The boers were very good at siege warfare , have you not heard of magersfontain or modder river or spion kop, Caesars camp , colenso, vaal kraanz, talana all British defeats

[@louisstopforth5886]

Remind me how many Boers stood up to how many hundreds of thousands of British soldiers, there is nothing to be proud of , how many women and children died in your concentration camps when scorched earth policy was played out. Shameful history you are trying to promote very one sided.

[@Slavador2393]

Another excellent stpry Chris. I was a boy scout back in the 70s and learned a little of Baden Powell, but his miltary service wasn't part of what we learned. Thanks for the information on him andbhis demeanor during the siege. 😂

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@gwynjames2077]

Thats a shame it was all there in the scout handbook of the 70's.

[@richardross7219]

Very good history lesson. My Dad made Eagle in 1931. It only took him 2 1/2 years to make Chief during WWII. I made Eagle in 1969. I made SSG in 15 months during NAM. My son made Eagle in 2011. Boy Scouts gave us good training for self discipline and learning to work towards goals. Most important, it was fun. Good Luck, Rick

[@paulwaite2219]

Hi it was so good to read about Mafeking. My wife’s grandfather was Australian in the Australian 1st New South Wales Mounted Rifles. Amongst a number of fights he was at Bloemfontein 13 March 1900 and at the Relief of Kimberly. We have a copy of a letter from him 18 Jan 1900. He said they were « Having a bit of a rough time » but « It is the best experience ever I had » .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing your family story about the Boer War.

[@johnblackstock4092]

Thank you for your lesion on Baden Powell. As an ex cub, scout, Rover, I use my bush skills learnt evert time I go scrub. In my line of work as a Quality Practitioner, I often have to show people visual flaws that people with UNTRAINED EYE cannot see. Baden wrote about a white hunter who hired a tracker-spotter. The Tracker, spotted the target, and said to the hunter. “There, there”! With UNTRAINED-EYES the hunter could not see the target. Another story, Baden’s Commanding Officer’s horse went AWAL, and Baden was sent to track the animal. Finding it and returning to base after three days of tracking. Baden said after that, the horse suffered from stress from its three days in the wild and never recovered.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@LeslieDevoe]

What an incredible and interesting chapter of a largely unknown conflict. In Downtown Abbey Lord Crawley is wearing the Boer War Campaign Medal, to do some Jazz of my own. I thought it odd that there was no mention of the discovery by Howard Carter. The whole story revolves around the estate of Lord Carnavon. Great thing that you established. I enjoy it beyond your imagination. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed my video & for taking the time to comment.

[@BMW7series251]

Loved the video. My Grandfather, born 1883, was sent to S. Africa just after the Boar war. He was an army gunsmith and took loads of photos, which l still have. He used to tell me stories of his time there. Cheers, John.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@garybrockwell2031]

As a kid in London I was part of the Cub's and the Scouts, but it wasn't until later as a grown up and an adventurer with my own car that I got down to pool, and Brownsea island, it's a definite to visit, and take your camping gear✌️💪🇬🇧 One great thing about the island is it's the last place in England where you find the Red Squirrels, that place is still a testament to the great man that gave a lot of lost children courage and a better way of thinking about themselves 🆘💯🇬🇧💪 The story of Maffican is one I wanted to know, as usual you've done a terrific job to those men and women 🤩😍🇬🇧💯 THANKS dib dib dobs💪

[@paulmawhinney7853]

Excellent video Chris, thank you so much

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@TheRobby1971]

Love it, really excellent Chris.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@colinjames1920]

Thank you, Another great story and video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@ifoster3011]

The story I read was that BP had limited amounts of explosives, and a few grenades. He knew that their positions were being watched, and had his men pretending to straddle over barbed wire and walking zig-zag routes through supposed mine fields. When he thought that the watchers were beginning to doubt these obstacles existed, he had a grenade set off to simulate a mine in one of the fields. I don’t know if any of this is true, but I always liked the idea that someone would be so imaginative.

[@peter4Flags]

Thank you so much for this story.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure.

[@RailfanDownunder]

Superb work Sir .... yet again

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks you

[@rodeastell3615]

Thanks Chris for another excellent and engrossing video. The hits just keep on coming. And, BP was the very model of a modern Major General.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed this video.

[@Aramis419]

I heard that tune in my head, damn you, and it won’t leave!! 😆

[@rodeastell3615]

@@Aramis419 Sorry about that ... 😅😅

[@snorkherder]

Thank you, we really enjoy your Stories :)

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying them.

[@daltonweeks6736]

Another great story and video! Very well done, thank you again Chris.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@oc2phish07]

Excellent presentation.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you

[@billevans7936]

Excellent presentation.....

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you.

[@kiwifruit27]

Excellent video, you never fail to enthuse and educate

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement.

[@marvwatkins7029]

Excellent and very interesting to learn the Scouts' background.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@AndrewCastlemaine]

A fascinating story and well told 👍

[@tanks1945]

Thank you! Very good history.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@georgegeyer3431]

What a story, Well done.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@tomtaylor6163]

I was a Scout here in America. I absolutely loved it and had the good fortune of spending part of the Summer of 1977 with an English family in Manchester as part of a Boy Scout Exchange Program. What fun we had with the English Scouts. I learned how to cuss out someone like a Brit. And that Potato Chips are actually called Crisps. But seriously, many of us owe thanks to Lord Powell for learning skills that helped us survive bad situations. I was in the Military and I was better prepared .I’d always heard that Lord BP had seen the complete unpreparedness of the British Army and wanted to help boys learn skills. This video obviously shows that wasn’t quite correct. But anyway , Thank You Lord Powell! Be Prepared!

[@mjspice100]

I was a Scout during the 1970s too in the UK, (in Lincolnshire). In 1977 I went to a Jamboree, Poacher 77, there were Scouts from the US there, were you involved with that? BP had concerns about the youth of the time (familiar story?), he wrote Scouting for Boys as a series of pamphlets which caught the imagination of boys at the time and they started to get together as patrols. The camp at Brownsea Island was an experiment, he wanted to see if boys from different social classes could interact and work together, it was a success as we know, he ran other camps there as well. I was privileged to go to Brownsea Island in 2018 and stand on the very spot where the camp took place. BP was interviewed several years later saying that he never intended to form a youth organisation and that “the bloomin’ thing took off on it’s own”.. During WW1 he attempted to form a Corps of Scouts ready to fight on the front line and introduced the Red Feather award which included marksmanship amongst other things. If you visit “Johnny Walker’s Scouting milestones” on the internet you can download a copy of the Red Feather award manual, it makes for chilling reading telling you how to shoot a moving target and has a sketch of a Boy Scout dressed for military campaign. The scheme wasn’t successful but Boy Scouts served as messengers and coastal watchmen during that war.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing your memories and taking the time to comment.

[@tomtaylor6163]

⁠@@mjspice100 No we didn’t go to any Jamborees in England in 1977. We mostly went around Manchester visiting with dignitaries and just having fun. We did go to some Football Matches Manchester United ,Manchester City, Real Madrid. We went to a small Boy Scout Camp somewhere near Manchester. I have a scrapbook somewhere with all the stuff in it. We went to London on the train ,saw all the usual sites including some kind of HQ of the Scouts including a bust of BP. The nice family I lived with were the Walshes. They took really good care of me , but I remember Mr. Walsh giving me a stern look when I brought up Bonnie Prince Charlie in a conversation!

[@FranciscoPreira]

"Be prepared" my house since my tender 6 years of age until I was around 30, BP his one of my all time treasured heros, what a great chap he was, and what great memories your video brought me back, thank you Chris for sharing, thank you very much indeed.

[@DarrenMarsh-kx8hd]

Wonderfully presented, and another forgotten slice of history brought to life once again.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watchig.

[@rich_john]

Great video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching.

[@Numismaniac_Canada]

Outstanding bit of history! BP ⚜️

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@charlestellis7021]

I was born and grew up in Mafeking and I was a member of the 1st Mafeking Scout Group, ended up as an Assistant Scout Master in Mafeking before joining the S A Navy.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing your story

[@johnbozich5300]

Brilliant and truthful

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@ziggurat-builder8755]

Your channel is amazing and inspiring! I’ve recently joined a Victorian military reenactment group inspired by your videos!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Wow, which one?

[@joeritchie4554]

That is such an amazing history lesson!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@stephenbesley3177]

Thank you for your video. I've read much about the war and many of the characters but also the events on Spion Kop and seen the photos of the aftermath. A terrible precursor to Flanders.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I have made a video about Spion Kop.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks again, Chris for another brilliant telling. I will admit honestly, I did not know this story or literally anything about BP other than his connection to the scouts. I will have to put BP on my list of people to read up on. Chris, please continue to put out these amazing stories, they are enthralling. I don't always watch them when you post them as I need to have time to watch uninterrupted. Cheers from Oz

[@TheHistoryChap]

Hello Oz. Thanks for watching and enjoy your weekend.

[@mikenorton3294]

My generation were all cub scouts and boy scout's Great times and helped with later military service. Another great program.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I believe every man who walked on the moon was a Boy Scout.

[@wilsontheconqueror8101]

Great historic research! Well done!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you.

[@Aramis419]

Makes me wonder if my old Scout books are slumbering away in some forgotten box in an obscure corner of my parents attic. Another great video! Cheers!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@Katmando376]

Thank you, Chris, for another informative video. Can you do a video on Britain's Crown Colonies e.g. St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Pitcairn Island please?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Yes, that's a great idea.

[@MarkDenson-ld8bf]

Thank you for another very interesting video BP was most definitely an interesting person

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@stonefree67]

I wonder if this episode wasn´t the best video so far! Completely captivating.Think even my cat enjoyed it!😅

[@TheHistoryChap]

That is very kind of you. Thanks.

[@richardgrantham1211]

Congratulations. A wonderfull history. My Grandmother Jane Nicholson was in Mafeking during the siege!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.

[@gw7120]

I had no idea when i clicked on this video i learnd about the boy scouts and south africa , thank you for the information

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@andreww9252]

The Scouts was my first experience of being away from my parents, camping and independance. A bit scary for a young boy but I learned to be a team player, have respect for my elders and the chain of command. The military was a no brainer following that. Thanks Chris for the story and thanks BP for the lifestyle.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment.

[@robertbriggs7100]

I have good memories from my scout and venturers day's in the 70s. The street l lived in, in Sydney's west was where most of our group came from. Fun fun fun!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Happy days! Have a great weekend.

[@davidberlanny3308]

A great story, really well told. Bring back lots of memories of scouting. I've seen Brownsea Island from a distance its situated in Poole Harbour and is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Have a great weekend

[@TheHistoryChap]

There is a statue of BP on the waterfront at Poole Harbour. A busy weekend ahead attending "Clash of Empires" exhibition in London on Saturday and Battle of Tewkesbury reenactment on Sunday.

[@Clive697]

Brownsea Island's worth a visit as, in addition to the scout connections, there's a rare colony on red squirrels on the island.

[@slick_slicers]

I owe BP a huge debt for what his movement gave me, as a Cub, Scout and Venture Scout. I owe a lot my maturity, ingenuity, independence and integrity to those formative years.

[@talpark8796]

🇨🇦 Queen Scout. thx again, Chris.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@nr875]

Interesting! I read a great book about Fredrick Russell Burnham and his role in Boer war and scouting. Did not know about Powell.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you found it interesting.

[@robg5958]

As an ex Scout I thank you. Great video!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@jackconradie5496]

I became a cub scout in Mafeking in 1961/2. Supposedly the youngest up to that time. I still have rifle bullet casings I picked up in and around the old Imperial reserve. There was a big international scout jamboree in around mid 60's

[@TheHistoryChap]

Wow, thanks for sharing.

[@thecuttingsark5094]

Is there any chance of a video on Lord Rowallan ?

[@MrWhatnextforme]

You tell so many fascinating Stories. Which would be your favourite story? And have you done a video on it?

[@TheHistoryChap]

I enjoyed research what happened to the VC heroes after Rorke's Drift: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5O5qZ-Ji8-dqLM

[@jovanweismiller7114]

As an old Cub & Scout, thank you!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. I'm an old cub & scout leader too.

[@culshie]

Glad to see that the remarkable Henry Russell Burnham got a mention, his life and adventures are well worth an Article or maybe a Hollywood Movie.

[@erikM64]

There is no stopping the History Chap ! I was lead to believe that he would go on a holiday at this time of the year, just like so many other Europeans - or Brits for that matter, but instead, he still keeps delivering, consistent, crisp and clear renditions of military history. We might all need a bit of Baden-Powells enthusiasm, now and then. When I was a boy scout, back in Sweden in the 1980's we were certainly aware of BP's status as a full colonel (and later major general) of the British Army - we didn't know anything much about the siege of Mafeking though, but his legacy remains as strong as ever. Somehow, he took the best that his time had to offer, and - towards the end of his career - made something of it, something that will endure for at least 4-5 generations more, and which has withsood the test of time already. There is a moral here, someplace...

[@theupsetter1969]

Great vid, have you heard of Fitzroy Maclean? He would make a great subject for a video or two.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will add to my list.

[@Hadubrand1965]

As boyscout myself, I really enjoyed this video. Interestingly, having been with the boy scouts in Austria, we learned quite a lot about BP's war exploits (including also the time in India, which amongst others inspired the "Kim"-game and the siege of Mafeking. Ok, maybe the fact that I was igven a German translation of "Scouting for Boys" as a present from my parents helped in that. Later on I then studied forestry and also became a hunter and a lot of what I learned in the boy scouts still helps me a lot, when out in the woods. Today, as a sideline (I am a freelance consultant by now), I do "forest schools" tours for kids and much of that still helps...

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@johndavison8690]

Why have we heard about the guns that were brought by the relieving force but nothing about the besieged making their own field gun and recommissioning an antique one . The whole situation shows what can be achieved with a positive attitude . Yet another brilliant video .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.

[@bertifrasilmeye995]

Scouting for boys BP booklet is a hoot ! Cheers.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Draws on some of his experiences in Matabeleland.

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

Thank you Chris, I enjoyed it very much. Did you know that the chief of police, sir Charles Warren, fought in the second boer war, and helped Baden-Powell with the organisation of the boy scout movement.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I did. Of course Sir Charles Warren was also in charge of the Met. Police during the Jack the Ripper murders.

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

@@TheHistoryChap yes I know, I saw the film with Sir Michael Caine as inspector Aberline

[@mewsdo]

The toilet cistern in our bathroom is a Mafeking, no doubt inspired by the Relief. We can Maffick every day. Thanks for posting.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@cardboardempire]

Jolly good

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you.

[@amoduks5598]

Thanks for the history im a mafikeng native i learned about this war at the museum,we have Warren Weir ammunition store who arrived in 1885,it might be shocking to you but this town is treated like it was never there during the fight for liberation of this country,The leader of Barolong tribesmen was Chief Besele Montshioa

[@johntomasini3916]

Being in the Scouting Movement for Thirteen years, Cub, Scout, Senior Scout, Queens Scout and holding my Scout Masters Warrant, I can honestly say Scouting, through BP has made me as a Father, a Business owner and a productive citizen of Australia. I regret that I am not still actively involved. Scouting changed after the move away from the Scouting for Boys Handbook, it was never quite the same.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I enjoyed my time as a scout and cub leader.

[@johntomasini3916]

@@TheHistoryChap Glad you found it beneficial in your life, I think ones standing in the community is enhanced by being part of this wonderful Organization.

[@HarryWHill-GA]

I was a scout. I was honored to attend the 1969 World Jamboree at Farragut State Park near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Each eight scout patrol was given a small and very cheap AM radio. When we heard Neal Armstrong say, "Mission Control, the Eagle has landed," 32,000 Scouts made the mountains RING. Scouting served me well in the Navy as I could read and send Morse and semaphore.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I think it teaches so many skills to young people.

[@chrishamilton2527]

Brilliant post. Very minor comment; Jacobus is pronounced as Yacobus. If you visit the site today you can still see a lot of the trenches etc.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to help with Jacobus.

[@matthewmckever2312]

As a youngster my grandparents, both in the RAF during the second world war took my sister and I to the Earl's court exhibition centre to watch soldiers enact the relief of Mafeking carrying guns over obstacles. Brilliant stuff.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks so much for sharing

[@pjmoseley243]

A true Hero!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for commenting.

[@AndrewCastlemaine]

Not sure if you have already covered it, but would love your take on the Breaker Morant saga

[@garybrockwell2031]

I'm just going to watch the movie with Edward Woodward 🎬✌️🇬🇧💯 I've not seen it yet??

[@AndrewCastlemaine]

@@garybrockwell2031 Bryan Brown has one of the best lines in movies: "Shoot straight ya bastards!"

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Excellent. Does history follow any if the Mafeking boys? I wonder if any went on to have great, or interesting, exploits in WW1.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Great question. Unfortunately, I don't know the answer.

[@willjohnson1273]

Maybe a video about Lady Baden-Powell and her part in the scouting movement and other activities?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting thought. Lady Octave was an inspirational woman in her own right.

[@tonyfranks9551]

My time as a Sea Scout made me....thank you BP and many others....

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@richardyates7280]

My maternal grandmother, born in the Victorian era, used to say "it was like the relief of Mafeking" when referring to events of minor importance that turned out well.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your family story.

[@robertborsak7023]

Loved my time as a Boy Scout here in Australia, great adventure ended up as a Queens Scout.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My son will be awarded his King's Scout award next year.

[@davidstout6051]

I had a great uncle who was with Powell at Mafeking and my dad was in one of the first US Boy Scout troops.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@gwynjames2077]

Burnham's book Scouting on Two Continents is a great read ! Even now .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing. Will need to see if I can get a copy.

[@wimmeraparanormal6581]

As a side-note, one of the final great gold rushes in Victoria, Australia occurred at Mt William around the time that Mafeking was relieved. The township that served the goldfield was renamed 'Mafeking' in honour of the stout defenders.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

[@ArchitectsAreMurderGangMafiosi]

A medic from Harare, Zimbabwe, donated me an army shirt. Robert Mugabe supported me in my aviation touch-down on the Kinshasa-Gombé Tarmac, where General Kagamé and the Hutis there were involved in haevy fighting the 25th of August. Naturally that I find Leader Smith and Rhodesia central of the Scout foundation as did Hardenberg in his education reform in Prussia, i.e., prepare the youth for fighting, if life isn't right. As a Scout leader in my youth, Norwegian-wood language = "V/Fenner" , what means "friend", Powell's fighting in the gold-rich Rhodesia landscape means much to me.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing

[@Unmasking_Viandalisme]

Food supplies always play a part in a long siege. Never a scout but not too bad at cooking.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Chuckling at your last comment.

[@bevviljoen3775]

Not only have I been involved in Girl Guides since the 1970s, but am 6th generation white Zimbabwean. I live in Bulawayo, so have spent many weekends in the Matobo Hills.

[@TheHistoryChap]

And thank you for sharing. I would love to visit Zimbabwe someday in the future.

[@larrye1955]

As a Boy Scout I learned of his name but not his exploits thank you for this video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@fredazcarate4818]

Thank you Sir for the brilliant video lecture on Biden Powell . In times past we venerated his memory at BSA. After hundred and sixteen years that memory seems to be diminishing. But if more father's view your brilliant work; we can stem the tide of political correctness, and this damnable woke movement. As usual I enjoyed your work and I await your next video offering.🧐🤔👊👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Delighted that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@QALibrary]

Maybe a video on Reuters News Agency would make an interesting video?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@peterbates9841]

Lord Robert Baden-Powell the first Baron of Gilwell, his grandson Lord Michael Baden-Powell 4th Baron of Gilwell, pasted away in Melbourne Australia 4th of July 2023. Gone Home, As a scout leader myself I met Lord Michael both as a Brother scout & a Brother in Freemasons, Michael was a member of Baden-Powell Lodge #243 UGL of England

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for sharing.

[@furyrussian8663]

Is this man related to Lord Baden-Powell who just passed away recently. God Bless him. Yes I am sure he is actually now that the scouts are mentioned.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I guess he is.

[@formwiz7096]

Whole thing sounds like the siege of Boonesborough during the American Revolution, with a wooden cannon standing in for the Wolf PS Is the drawing at about 4 minutes in by Frederic Remington? Looks like it.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Not sure .

[@tonyransley7248]

Thanks Chris that was very interesting I would value your comments on A few observations about events before and during the siege. The original town of Mahikeng was established by the Barolong chief Moleme in 1850 to block further Boer incursions into Barolong territory. Baden-Powell did not in fact arm the Barolong they had already been supplied with modern rifles by Christopher Bethell an English man who had married into the Barolong nation. Barolong resistance at Mahikeng lead to the 'first siege' the battle of 'Tigele'in 1884 after which Bethell was brutally tortured to death which in turn provoked the British Warren Expedition expelling the Boers returning Barolong lands and making the surrounding area a protectorate. The fact that the Barolong were already armed is born out in Sol Plaatje 'Mafeking Diary'' when Chief Motshegare states "Until you can satisfy me that her Majesty's white troops are impervious to bullets, I am going to defend my own wife and children. I have got my rifle at home and all I want is ammunition." Plaatje also mentions the actions of a very young African boy called Phalaetsile who In my opinion would have been the original model for the Boy Scouts had not Baden-Powell given way to the racist politics of the foreign office and war office on his return to Britain.

[@David-wk6md]

BE PREPARED

[@TheHistoryChap]

Try to be!

[@Wilhelm-100TheTechnoAdmiral]

Lord Salisbury, known in the US for his delicious frozen gravy steaks in TV dinners.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Isn't it interesting how different people are known?

[@cseivard]

Thanks for finally filling in the facts. Long ago, there was a film, starring Shirley Temple, called “ A little Princess” (1939) “the siege of Mafeking” is central to the film. Long before the internet, I always wondered. Now, I have got it. Thanks ( skip the movie, imho)

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad it helped fill in some gaps for you.

[@peterrooke5336]

I remember that film

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

Even in Southern California, there is Mount Baden-Powell. Close to Los Angeles.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Tollimir]

When I see B-P, or scouts, or siege of Mafeking I upvote. What can I do? I am a simple scout :)

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your support.

[@shaungillingham4689]

A fantastic story,I had heard of the relief of Mafeking,but otherwise knew nothing about it. I didn't make it as a scout,but was in the cubs, we used to pledge our oath to God & the Queen & always to tell the truth, as I got older I thought this was all silly, it's only in recent years I realised what a influence for good it was in my life. Its a pity we had that war, but I suppose that's true of any war, except perhaps the Falklands being the exception, rescuing the people who were & are British from the cruel Argentinians.

[@invisibleray6987]

Poor old BP a legend

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thankds for commenting.