Family tradition upheld by Felpham Scout

Lewis Powell recently received his Chief Scout Gold Award to continue a scouting pedigree which stretches back to the start of the movement.

His great-grandfather began in Lady Baden Powell's own 1st Scout Group and held the Silver Wolf Award, scouting's highest honour.

Lewis, 14, was presented with his honour '“ the top one available for ten to 14-year-olds '“ after his work was assessed by Bognor Regis Scouts' district commissioner Vicky Hennessy.

She said the preparation he had undertaken to gain his award was the best she had seen.

Lewis had to excel in eight areas to be eligible for the recognition.

These were adventure, fitness, creativity, outdoor, expedition, community service, global and showing he upheld the Scout promise.

His activities included a rowing expedition on the Thames, involvement in St Mary's Church in Climping and beach cleaning, a conservation and tourism follow-up to the Scouts' expedition to Finland last summer, clay modelling and orienteering.

Lewis is an active member of the Arctic Fox Explorer Scout Unit, having moved from 1st Felpham Sea Scouts.

His presentation ceremony took place at the sea scouts' HQ in Vicarage Lane.

He was presented with his badge by a lifelong friend, former submariner John Oven, in keeping with the sea scouts' recognition by the Admiralty.

John joined the navy in April 1942 and volunteered for submarines.

He served successfully as an electrical mechanic in HMS Ursula, Oberon and Sea Dog in locations from the Atlantic ocean to the Far East.

He was involved in sinking several enemy ships, surviving depth-charge attacks and rescuing downed allied aircrew before he was demobbed

in May 1946.