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Eleven year-old Andrew Dunn of the 1st Conception Bay South Scout Troop has received Scout-Canada’s highest youth award – the Jack Cornwell Decoration. In October, 2006, Andrew was nominated by the 1st CBS Group Committee for the Award of Fortitude. However, the National Honours and Awards Committee upgraded the nomination to the prestigious Jack Cornwell Decoration. In a ceremony held at St. Edward’s School, Kelligrews, Andrew was presented with a folder containing a letter from our Chief Commissioner and the Cornwell emblem to wear on his shirt.
Scout Canada’s website www.scouts.ca describes the Jack Cornwell Decoration as “the highest award presented to youth who display a high level of character or courage. It was named after John Travers Cornwell, who at age sixteen, served as Boy (1st Class) on board H.M.S. Chester at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Mortally wounded early in the action, he remained at his post awaiting orders until the end of the action, with the dead and dying around him. He was given a state funeral and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Recipients of this award are recognized as true heroes of the Scouting Organization and through their actions are considered to be role models to others. …To be eligible, a nominee must be especially recommended for pre-eminently high character, devotion to duty and specific acts of physical courage or must have undergone great suffering in a heroic manner. The nominee must be the subject of a good report from the nominee’s Scouter and an additional, independent, responsible person …”

In the Fall of 2005 Andrew complained of severe neck pain and could not properly move his head. Doctors recommended physiotherapy. He had just joined Scouting and was determined that his pain would not interfere with attending Scout meetings and the PL/APL Workshop at Camp Nor’Wes. Though in considerable pain, he managed to participate in all the planned activities. A week later Andrew was diagnosed with Clivil Chordoma or Skull Base Chordoma, a rare brain tumour. He was admitted to the Health Sciences Center, which was followed by a three-month stay at Toronto Sick Kids Hospital undergoing surgery and treatment.

Throughout his life-threatening illness, operations and treatments, Andrew has been an inspiration and role model to all those who have come to know him. He has maintained a fantastic interest in Scouting and, in particular, what his Troop mates were doing in his absence. His dad says that “Andy covered himself in his Scout blanket while undergoing radiation treatment”.

Andrew has a very positive outlook on life, even though there is a chance of the cancer returning. In September he re-joined his Troop and is more eager than ever to earn badges. He is looking forward to the Centennial Camporee next summer with great anticipation.

The Jack Cornwell Certificate and medal will be awarded Andrew in a formal investiture ceremony to be held in early 2007. Andrew is the third recipient of the Jack Cornwell Decoration from our province. It was presented in 1958 and again in 1988.