It is with deep sadness that the Group announces the passing of Bill Grierson, our Group Vice President. Bill had been unwell for a few months and passed away at St Christopher’s Hospice on Saturday afternoon.
Bill was a Cub, Scout and Rover Scout in Edinburgh and took up his first adult Scouting appointment in 1954 at the age of 19 as an Assistant Scout Leader with his local Group and even helped by volunteering at another Group whilst he was away on National Service.
He was a pivotal member of the 23rd Bromley for 44 years, joining the Group shortly after they moved to Petts Wood from Edinburgh. Bill’s work brought his family to Bromley from Edinburgh in the mid 1970’s. They met their new neighbours who invited them to a New Year party, at the Scout Hut at 5pm and not even on New Years Eve, but that was the start of Bill’s long and valued association with the 23rd Bromley.
He joined the Group as an Assistant Scout Leader (ASL) in 1977 and subsequently became Group Scout Leader (GSL) from 1991 to 2000. When Bill stood down as GSL in 2000 he became Group Secretary until 2014, when he was given the role of Group Vice President.
Bill also supported Bromley District Scouts, where he was an active member of the Wilberforce Tuesday Club – regularly acting as Duty Warden alongside his role as Wilberforce Treasurer.
Bill’s service was rightly recognised with the award of The Silver Wolf in 2012 – this is the highest award in Scouting. Its the “unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout and is only awarded for service of a most exceptional nature”. He also received the Chief Scouts 40 years Service Award in 2015.
Bill Grierson – Gone Home
29th December 1935 – 27th February 2021