Les Mitchell G3BHK, known as the 'father of JOTA', passed away on Monday, October 6

He was one of the Radio Scouters at the Jamboree in 1957 that gave birth to the idea of a Jamboree On The Air (JOTA). The first event was held in 1958. To many he was known as the father of JOTA.

In 2000, recalling the first event, Les wrote "Little did I think when I drew up the plans and rules for the first event in 1958 that it's popularity would increase and spread around the world. Even more astonishing is the fact that after all this time it still holds it's popularity and now has a participation of some half a million Scouts and Guides in over one hundred countries involving some ten thousand amateur radio stations. In fact it has become the largest international Scout event ever."

Radio Scouting - Les Mitchell G3BHK - http://www.radio-scouting.org.uk/index.php?page=the-founder-of-jota