REG Hayes, believed to be Britain’s longest serving Scout, has died at the age of 99.

The Cowley resident, who was being treated in the John Radcliffe Hospital, passed away on Tuesday afternoon.

After joining what was then the 2nd Oxford Wolf Cub pack in 1923, Mr Hayes volunteered and worked for the Scout Association – primarily the 2nd Oxford SS Mary and St John Scout Group – for 87 years.

The Normandy Crescent resident was awarded the prestigious Silver Wolf award for exceptional services to Scouting in 1990.

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He finally retired in 2010 because of a bad back.

Oxford Mail:

  • Reg Hayes winning a BBC Community Champion award at the age of 89

Close friend and fellow Scout leader Fred Mogridge said: “I saw him in hospital about 10 days ago and he was in a fairly poor state, but it didn’t seem desperate.

“He was a very conscientious person and had a love of Scouting. He really devoted his life to it. He got every recognition within Scouting that you could get and that should really be recognised.”

Mr Hayes first became a Wolf Cub after being introduced to the scheme by his grandmother and then moved up to the Scouts in 1930.

After leaving school at 14, Mr Hayes, a bachelor and only child, went to work as an orderly at the Wingfield Hospital, now the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, and also worked in the Cowley car factory.

The only time he took a break from Scouting was when he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the Second World War.

Oxford Mail:

  • Reg Hayes as a Wolf Cub in 1925

Speaking to the Oxford Mail in 2010, he said the Scouts had supported him after his service in France. Mr Hayes told the paper: “After the war I was diagnosed with what they used to call shell-shock and spent some time in hospital. But the Scouts were still there when I came out and I think that helped me. They have been my whole life really.”

Neighbour Margaret Gleeson, 57, said: “I got on very, very well with him. He was a good neighbour.

“When he had a heart attack years ago I took care of him and I also did his shopping.

“He was a lovely person, we all knew him round here. It’s so sad that he’s gone.”

Oxford Mail:

  • Reg Hayes as a camp leader

Another Normandy Crescent resident Linda Darby, 60, added: “He was a nice neighbour – he was kind.

“I think most people round here did know him. There’s not many people like that around now.”

Oxfordshire’s Scouting county commissioner Phil Earl said: “It is a loss for us all, particularly those that were in his group as youngsters when he was the leader.

“His commitment to them was fantastic, he set them up for their future lives. That’s what the best Scouters do to people, give them the sense of adventure and leadership.’’ Mr Earl added that plans had not yet been made for Mr Hayes’s funeral, but that there would “certainly” be a large Scouting presence.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “This is very sad news.

“He leaves a huge legacy and will be fondly remembered.”


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