Dame Katharine Furse
(1875-1952), Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service; nurse and nursing administrator; Director of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl ScoutsSitter in 11 portraits
A pioneer in the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs). In 1914 Furse was sent to France to lead the first VAD unit to be sent abroad and later that year she was promoted to commandant-in-chief. After becoming frustrated at her lack of reforming powers, Furse left the VADs in 1917 and took up the position of Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service. This embryo service, although disbanded after one year, established a basis upon which the full service was founded some 20 years later. After the War Dame Katharine, who had grown up in Switzerland, joined Sir Henry Lunn's travel agency and became a representative of the Ski Club of Great Britain.
by George Charles Beresford
dry-plate glass negative, 1918
NPG x6505
by Elliott & Fry
vintage print, 1943 (1919)
NPG x89307
by Elliott & Fry
half-plate glass negative, 1919
NPG x92099
by Elliott & Fry
half-plate glass copy negative, 1919
NPG x92101
by Elliott & Fry
postcard print, 1919
NPG x16310
by Elliott & Fry
half-plate glass negative, February 1935
NPG x92100
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate glass negative, 31 January 1940
NPG x27093
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate glass negative, 31 January 1940
NPG x27094
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate glass negative, 31 January 1940
NPG x27095
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate glass negative, 31 January 1940
NPG x27096
by Bassano Ltd
half-plate glass negative, 31 January 1940
NPG x27097
Related People
- Charles Wellington Furse (husband)
- (John) Paul Wellington Furse (son)
- Frederick North (grandfather)
- Marianne North (aunt)
- John Addington Symonds (father)
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