Thanks Badge

Currently, the Thanks Badge may be proposed by any Member to any person (who is not an active Member), or organisation who gives significant support to Scouting. This Award should be ratified by the Regional Commissioner who will issue a signed certificate to accompany the Thank You Badge.

Historically, many of the Scouting badges and insignia issued in South Africa were sourced from the Imperial Headquarters in the UK. They can be traced back to the era of early 20th century Britain and their norms of the day and this includes the evolution Scout Thanks/Thank You Badge.

History

The progression of the Thanks Badge:

1908 – 1914	The original Boy Scout Thanks Badge with the old Fleur-de-lys design. The Fleur-de-lys symbol was chosen by Baden-Powell as it had been the arm-badge of those soldiers who qualified as 'Scouts' (reconnaissance specialists) when BP served in the British Army. The earlier badges had a swastika which in many eastern countries meant good luck, which in turn was meant to bring good luck to the person receiving the badge.
1914 – 1935	In 1914 the Thanks Badge changed to depict the revised version of the fleur-de-lys.
1933 – 1939	When the Coloured Division of the Boy Scout Association was formed in 1933 they chose to be known as Pathfinders. To meet their requirements, a new Thanks Badge, a Pathfinder Badge on a swastika, was introduced in South Africa, to be used specifically by the Pathfinder Section of Scouting.
1910 – 1935	The 'Thanks' Medal of Merit This was awarded for special service or kindness to Scouting. The original medal had the earlier designs of both the swastika and the Scout fleur-de-lys. In 1914 it was changed to depict a newer design of both the swastika and of the Scout fleur-de-lys. In 1935 the medal was again redesigned removing the swastika and displaying only the fleur-de-lys. The medal was re-designated to become the 'Medal of Merit' and is still in use today.
1935 – 1967	In November 1935 a new design for the Scout Thanks Badge was approved by the Imperial Headquarters in Britain. The new badge was of a rectangular design with a fleur-de-lys centre. This was to replace the old swastika designs, due to several incidents being reported of people wearing the old badge being assaulted when abroad in Europe, due to the use of the swastika by the German Nazi Party.
1970's	By the late 1960's another change was made, giving the Thanks Badge a round shape. Although these versions were commonly known as a belt design, they were still either Pendants or Badges, they were not designed to go on a trouser belt.
1980's	In South Africa this badge with the Springbok on it was used as the Thanks Badge.
2010's	This badge with the Scouts South Africa logo on it, is currently being issued and it is the first time that the word Scouts appears on the badge.