Imperial Scout Exhibition

The Imperial Scout Exhibition was the first International scout rally in Birmingham, a gathering of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts held in July 1913 at Bingley Hall, with events in Perry Hall Park (then in Staffordshire; part of Birmingham from 1928) and, for Sea Scouts, at Edgbaston Reservoir. It was attended by about 30,000 Scouts, in the presence of Prince Arthur of Connaught.[1][2]

Imperial Scout Exhibition
Certificate signed by Baden-Powell
Frequency	Annually
Location(s)	Handsworth Park
Inaugurated	July 1913
Attendance	30,000

Scouts at the 1913 rally, in Perry Hall Park

The 1st Shanghai Troop of Baden-Powell Scouts attended, as the “Dragon Troop” of Shanghai.

Cover of "Boy Scouts and What They Do"

An illustrated book about the exhibition, "Boy Scouts and What They Do", was published later the same year.[3]

The rally inspired an annual event held in Handsworth Park for many years when Scouts from a wide area congregated and paraded.

References

1. "Through the years by 'The Trek-Cart'". the 4th Derby (Derwent) Scout Group. 1949. Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
2. "The Great Boy Scout Rally Near Birmingham". The Sphere. 12 July 1913. p. 33.
3. Boy Scouts and What They Do: As illustrated at the Imperial Scout Exhibition and Rally held in Birmingham, July, 1913. London: Oldfields. 1913.