Campaign school news update
An Enduring Gift Maurice Baker (1953) developed and shaped training courses for young people with his lifelong friend, George Moody. Maurice became the hub of the courses – organising, publicising, administering and delivering them. He led expeditions for Scouts to adventurous places, including Turkey, the Lofoten Islands in Norway and Kashmir. All of these trips gave young people from Hertfordshire the opportunity to explore lands they had only read about and helped them make their dreams come true. In total, Maurice spent over 60 years in Scouting (acknowledged by the Chief Scout in a Long Service Presentation in April 2014). He gave excellent service at all levels of the movement, recognised by awards such as the Medal of Merit, the bar to the Medal of Merit, the Silver Acorn, the bar to the Silver Acorn and the Silver Wolf which is the unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout and is only awarded for service of a most exceptional nature. In addition, Maurice was awarded Maurice Baker was born on 8 December 1934
the Chief Scouts Commendation for Meritorious
and spent his early years in Cambridge with his
Conduct for his organisation and coordination of
older sister, Audrey. He won a bursary to join
the rescue of an injured Scout during the first of the
The Perse and attended the School from 1945–1953.
County Expeditions to the Lofoten Islands in 1971. He passed away on 13 February 2018, at the age of
Throughout his life, Maurice recognised the great start in life his schooling gave him by making modest
83. Maurice had devoted much of his life to inspiring
donations to the School’s Bursary Fund as his way
young people and encouraging them to be the best
of saying thank you.
they could be. In death, he was able to continue this
W
passion, by leaving a six-figure legacy gift to The Perse hilst at The Perse, Maurice was introduced
School’s Bursary Fund. This gift will support a number
to Scouting as part of the 5th Cambridge
of young people through The Perse and will enable
Scouts, as well as to the cadets. After
them to benefit from the same great education that Maurice had, regardless of their family circumstances.
school, he joined ICI and trained to be a plastics
Maurice’s good friend, Gordon Marshall, said
research chemist. His career was interrupted by a period of National Service, when he was posted to
of Maurice at his funeral: “The Perse motto – Qui facit
India and Malaya with the Army Catering Corps and
per alium facit per se – pretty much describes the
where he discovered a lifelong talent for cooking.
way Maurice led his life. He gave young people a chance, helped to nurture and support them,
Throughout his time in the Army, Maurice continued in Scouting. He became the Scout Leader of the 19th
recognised when they were able to go off on their
Jahore Bahru Troop in Malaya for service families
own and celebrate their development whilst remaining
whilst on National Service and continued
watchful and to be there to help them when needed,
this in the Hertfordshire Scouts when he returned
whilst all the time remaining courteous and generous.
to the UK.
There are many words that could be used to describe Maurice – colleague, leader, inspiration, mentor,
Maurice had a passion for the development of young people. In the 1960s he became a part
neighbour, chef, raconteur, good counsel – but above
of Hertfordshire Scouts’ growing involvement in
all he was a great friend.” Maurice’s gift to The Perse will enable that spirit of
developing mountaineering skills and the County
the School motto to live on.
Adventure Centre at Lochearnhead in Scotland. He
Maurice’s gift to The Perse will enable that spirit of the School motto to live on. 11
