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On 28 May 1941 Jack was awarded the silver cross for gallantry.? The citation reads: this is to certify that i have awarded to Jack Olden, Patrol Leader of 8 Holborn (Lady Peats Own) Scout Group, the silver cross for carrying out his civil defence duties with great gallantry resource and a total disregard for his own safety, during severe air raids in london.?

The certificate is signed by Sir Percy Everett (Chairman, Awards Committee) and Lord Somers (Chief Scout).

(Jack was one of 3 Scouts who entered a burning building at considerable risk to their own lives and guided a number of people to safety).

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As a Rover Scout Jack assisted in the formation of the First Gibraltar (London) Scout Group.

?In 1942 Jack began service with the RAF. During this time he qualified as a Sergeant Pilot and Warrant Officer.? He served in 201 Squadron Coastal Command in Sunderland Flying Boats.? It was during this time he met and married Cecilia Price (ATS) (d.2010).

He was demobilised in 1946 and immediately rejoined the Publicity Dept.? at IHQ, also becoming Scoutmaster of Eighth Holborn Scout Group.?

?In 1953 he moved to Hertfordshire where he became Group Scoutmaster of the Fourth Borehamwood Scout Group later in 1962, becoming Life President.??

?During the next years Jack continued with the Press and Publicity Dept. and in 1969 becoming Publicity Manager, of The Scout Association.?

He attended full time, a number of World Jamborees. 1951 Austria, 1957 UK, 1963 Greece, 1967 USA, 1971 Japan, 1975 Norway, 1983 Canada. This was as a staff member dealing with Press and Publicity matters at each one.

?In 1985 Jack was appointed HQ Public Relations Officer.? During his Scouting career Jack received a string of awards including the Silver Wolf in 1982.? In December 1985 he received an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen and in 1986 was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Public Relations.

?Jack retired from Scout Headquarters staff on December 31 1988. Until his death he was the only surviving member of TSA to start work there prior to WWII.

?Jack recently returned to Hertfordshire for a reunion with his old friends from Elstree District and the Fourth Borehamwood Scout Group.? During this visit he visited the Well End Campsite for the Exhibition of 100 years of Hertfordshire Scouting in the Hertfordshire County Scout Museum. During his lifetime Jack had always been a good friend to Hertfordshire, many of his photographs that appeared in The Scouter, The Scout and Scouting Magazine featured Hertfordshire Scouts.

?In 2009 he attended the centenary of the Eighth Holborn Scout Group with whom he had kept in touch during the whole of his Scouting life.

?During his life Jack commanded a natural respect from everyone he met, he was a man not easily flustered by sudden drama or crisis.? A loyal and respected employee he made many friends throughout the UK and the world at large who stayed with him until his death.

?Jack was called to higher service on 14 June 2010.? His funeral was held at his local church St Botolph