Lord Robert Crause Baden-Powell – the grandson of Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell – passed away on the 28 December aged 83, having struggled with illness over a long period. Robert was born 15 October 1936 in Johannesburg, South Africa, the son of the 2nd Baron, Arthur Robert Peter Baden-Powell, and Carine Crause Baden-Powell (née Boardman). He was educated at Bryanston School in Blandford. Robert succeeded his father as the 3rd Baron of Gilwell in 1962, and married Patience Hélène Mary Batty (who sadly passed away in 2010) a year later.

As his grandfather Robert Stephenson Smythe Baden-Powell had founded Scouts in 1907, it was only natural that Robert took an active involvement and interest. Joining as a Cub Scout in 1946, he went on to become an Assistant Scout Leader with the 100th Nottingham Group between 1959 and 1962. He moved to London and became Group Scout Leader and Venture Scout Leader of the 6th Putney Group from 1965 until 1969, and was also a leader with the Ripley Venture Scout Unit. As a leader, he passionately believed that Scouts should evolve as society changed, with young people being given more opportunities to lead rather than being led by adults.

Robert held the following appointments: Chief Scout’s Commissioner (1968-1982); President of West Yorkshire Scout Council (1972-1988); Member of the Committee of Council (1972-1978) and General Purposes Sub-Committee (1973-1981) and Vice-President (1981-2019). In the UK, he was awarded the Silver Acorn and Silver Wolf, as well as the Canadian Silver Fox. Robert also fostered Scouts around the world, leading the UK contingent to the World Jamboree in Norway and more recently the opening of the 2007 World Centenary Jamboree held in the UK. Robert was awarded the Bronze wolf for services to World Scouting in 1983.

During the 1950s, Robert undertook National Service in the Royal Navy including the Suez Crisis of 1956. His career involved time as a motor car salesman, wine merchant, public relations officer with the BBC, Chairman of London and Cheshire Insurance Company (1961-1966), money broker (1964-1984), Director of City Share Trust (1964-1970) and Bolton Building Society (1974-1988), and Managing Director of Fieldguard Limited (1984-) and Highline Estates Limited (1986-1995). He was also a member of British Quarter Horse Association between 1984-1989, and Chairman in 1990. In addition to this, he was Chairman of Quarter Horse Racing UK (1985-1988) and President of Camping and Caravanning Club (1992-2002).

His interests included the breeding and racing of Quarter Horses at Clandon Manor Farm in Surrey where he also lived. He also enjoyed swimming, fishing, model making, gardening, bee keeping, badminton and music.

Robert and Patience had no children, and therefore the title of 4th Baron Gilwell moves to his brother, The Honourable David Michael Baden-Powell, who lives in Australia.