"The G.I.S. and Me"
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HOW IT ALL BEGAN FOR ME
Soon after the start of World War II, letters began to arrive at Guide H.Q. in Buckingham Palace Rd from all sections of the Movement, asking 'what can we do?', 'How can we help all those sister Guides in the distressed countries of Europe?'
Many of them were pen-friends of those in this country; friends they had made at the World Camp in Hungary in 1939, and at other international Gatherings. 'What is going to happen to them?'
In February 1941, Mrs Mark Kerr, one of the pioneers of world Guiding wrote in 'The Guider'
"We must look into the future and prepare ourselves for the times to come. More important even than winning the War is the question of the winning of Peace. Whatever happens, Europe will be left weak and exhausted, and will need an army of peace, mostly composed of women. If we can begin now to collect an 'Army of Goodwill', what could they not do to bring healing and comfort to a stricken world?"
There were so many replies to this that the Girl Guides War Emergency Committee invited Mrs Kerr to bring her ideas to a meeting within a month. Commissioners and trainers representing all parts of the British Isles had been consulted.
They were unanimous. British Guiding would be ready to help with relief work as soon, and in whatever form it was needed.
In April 1942, a committee was set up to plan and organise a scheme of training, and Miss Rosa Ward JP, Chief Commissioner for Wales, agreed to be 'temporary' Chairman. She had been Commissioner for Denbighshire at the age of 20 - a one time Commissioner for camping for Great Britain - and was the current leader of a voluntary Mobile Canteen. The word 'temporary' was very soon crossed out and she carried on until all was over. She was known to 'specialise in the impossible', and was given an OBE in 1948. A truly amazing person.
Lady Arthur, with her experience of working with people from other lands, was elected Vice-Chairman. Countess Reventlow, a pioneer of Danish Guiding, and Madame Malcowska, founder of the Polish Guides were on the committee along with Miss Anstice Gibbs, Commissioner for England, and Martin Barnes - a young Ranger Guider representing the younger members of the Movement - and several others.
It was decided that the scheme should be called the 'Guide International Service', and that the uniform 'flashes' if and when they would be worn would be G.I.S. British with a yellow Trefoil on a blue background, as on the world flag. It was thought that in this way we should be easily recognised by members in other countries and much help would be gained by this. Scouts and Guides did
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