The Silver Fish Award is the highest adult award in Girlguiding. It is awarded for outstanding service to Girlguiding combined with service to world Guiding. The award has changed greatly since it first appeared in 1911, initially being awarded to girls on completion of a number of badges, then via numerous stages to the highest award in the Guiding movement worldwide, and then on to its position as a Girlguiding award.
| Silver Fish Award | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Created | 1911 (113 years ago) | ||
Award criteria
The Silver Fish is not earned, but given to those who are nominated and are considered worthy of the award. Recipients must be members of Girlguiding, have done outstanding service to Guiding in more than one capacity and made a contribution to world Guiding.[1] Ideally candidates should be at least 18 months from retirement and have held an appointment within 6 months of the nomination.[1]
History
The award of Silver Fish existed from the beginning of the Guiding movement. The choice of the silver fish was as a result of Lord Baden-Powell visiting Japan, where he learnt that when a son was born, parents would hang a small silver fish on their door, signifying the boy would be able to successfully 'swim upstream' through life's challenges. If a daughter was born, a tiny doll was used. This indicated a girl's sole aim was to raise a family. Lord Baden-Powell decided to make a Guide's highest honour a silver fish, to show that girls are just as capable of battling against the odds as boys.[2]
Award for Girl Guides
The award is mentioned in the November 1909 edition of the Boy Scout Headquarters Gazette in "The Scheme for 'Girl Guides'". Here a girl must pass seventeen specified efficiency badges.[3] However, in Pamphlet A: Baden-Powell Girl Guides, a Suggestion for Character Training for Girls, also published in 1909, twenty efficiency badges were needed to obtain the Silver Fish.[4] This was later reduced to fifteen and, additionally, good all round work was required.[3]
Award for Girl Scouts of USA
Around the time of the foundation of the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912, their handbook listed the Silver Fish as the highest honour in Girl Scouting. However, before anyone could earn it, the Golden Eaglet was introduced.[5]
Five American women were awarded the Silver Fish:
- Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts USA
- Anne Hyde Choate, Juliette's goddaughter and the second president of Girl Scouts USA
- Helen Storrow, donor of Our Chalet
- Jane Deeter Rippin, National Director of GSUSA
- Julia Cobb Crowell, Chair of the Committee
Award for adults
In October 1917, the award changed to being given for outstanding service to the movement. At this time, the design also changed from a whiting with its tail in its mouth worn on a silver chain, to a swimming fish worn on a dark and light blue striped ribbon. Olave Baden-Powell was presented with a gold Silver Fish in 1918, then the only one of its kind.[6] In 1995, her daughter Betty Clay was presented with a gold Silver Fish in the form of a brooch. It continues to be awarded within UK GirlGuiding to this day.
Recipients
1911–1919
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nesta G. Ashworth née Maude (1893–1982)[7][8] | 1911 | Awarded old-style Silver Fish in 1911. Also in 1920. One of the girls who showed up at Crystal Palace Rally in 1909 wanting to be Scouts. Instrumental in the establishment of Lone Guides.[9] |
| Rotha Lintorn-Orman (1895–1935)[7] | 1911 | Awarded old-style Silver Fish in 1911. One of the girls who showed up at Crystal Palace Rally in 1909 wanting to be a Scout. |
| Olave Baden-Powell[3] GBE (1889–1977) | 1918 | Chief Guide. She received a special gold Silver Fish. |
| Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low (1860–1927) | 1919 | Founder of Girl Scouts of the USA. She was buried wearing full uniform and her Silver Fish Award.[10] |
1920–1929
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Helen Whitaker (1890–1929)[11] | 1920 | Hampshire County Commissioner |
| Anna Suckling (1863–1946)[12] | 1921 | Warwickshire County Commissioner |
| Mary Pellatt (1857–1924)[13] | 1922 | First Chief Commissioner for Girl Guides of Canada (1912–1921) |
| Ysobel Stewart[14] | 1925 | Head of training for Scotland |
| Muriel de Lisle[15] | 1925 | Warwickshire Girl Guides |
| Lady Cave[16] | 1926 | Kingston Division Commissioner |
| Patricia Richards [17] | 1927 | |
| Rosa Ward OBE (1893–1984)[18] | 1928 | Chief Commissioner for Wales. Chair of Guide International Service (1942–1954) |
1930–1939
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Kelso King (1885–1958)[19] | 1931 | Acting State Commissioner, New South Wales. First Australian recipient. |
| Lady Finola Somers CBE (1896–1981)[20] | 1931 | State Commissioner, Victorian Girl Guides, Australia. Girl Guides Association Chief Commissioner (1943–1949) |
| Helen Talbot [21] | 1932 | Commissioner for Overseas Guiding |
| Lady Butler (1872–1951)[22] | 1932 | Chair of All-India Executive Committee |
| Lady Luke[23] | 1933 | Bedfordshire's first County Commissioner (1917–1938) |
| Marguerite de Beaumont (1899–1989)[24] | 1934 | Cambridgeshire County Commissioner. One of the girls who showed up at Crystal Palace Rally in 1909 wanting to be Scouts. |
| Mrs Hood[25] | 1934 | Commissioner for Extensions |
| Nora G Dillon[26] | 1936 | Durham County Commissioner. Executive Committee of the Council at Imperial Headquarters (1932–1935) |
| Mrs Pickering[27] | 1936 | County Commissioner, Girl Guides in Yorkshire |
| Rosalind Hamilton Duchess of Abercorn (1869–1958)[28] | 1937 | Ulster Chief Commissioner |
| Ruth Callander[29] | 1937 | Scottish post and extension branches |
| Gladys Millard (1891–1964)[30] | 1937 | From the Girl Guide Association of Manitoba, Canada |
| Maud Carnegie, Countess of Southesk (1893–1945)[31] | 1937 | County Commissioner, Angus and Aberdeenshire. Scottish Executive Committee member. |
| Lady Dorothy Arthur[32] | 1938 | Provincial Commissioner of Bengal |
| The Honourable Lady Cochrane[33] | 1938 | Kent County Commissioner |
| Lilias Dalmahoy[34] | 1938 | Edinburgh County Commissioner |
| Miss G Hanbury-Williams MVO[35] | 1938 | Council of GGA from 1927 to 1961 |
| Mrs Monteith[36] | 1938 | Assistant County Commissioner, Fife |
| Allison Cargill (1896–1979)[37][38] | 1939 | Scotland's first Guide. President of Scottish GGA. VP of GGA. |
| Elsa Riepert (1890–1961)[39] | 1939 | Dominion secretary of Girl Guides of Canada (1920–1941) |
1940–1949
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mrs Moore[40] | 1942 | District Commissioner, Canterbury City Guides. Awarded for gallantry during an air raid |
| Mrs Alan Morkill MBE[41] | 1943 | |
| G.G Moody[42] | 1944 | Deputy Chief Commissioner, Ulster Girl Guides |
| Miss Sharp[43] | 1944 | Dundee County Commissioner |
| Mona Burgin (1903–1985)[44][45] | 1945 | Active in New Zealand and as a trainer internationally |
| Isabel Hetherington Kay MBE (1904–1980)[46] | 1945 | Chair of Welsh Guide Council. Chief Commissioner for Wales. |
| Lady Eva Julius (1878–1972)[47] | 1945 | Chief Commissioner, New South Wales, Australia |
| Verona M. Wallace Williamson (1898–1980 )[44] | 1945 | Edinburgh County Commissioner |
| Margaret McIntyre OBE (1886–1948)[48] | 1947 | Tasmanian State Commissioner (1940–1948) |
| Lady Lee Steere OBE[49] | 1947 | Commissioner for Girl Guides in Western Australia |
| Irene Fairbairn (1899–1974)[50] | 1948 | Chief Commissioner of Guides Australia, Federal Secretary[51] |
| Shylie Katherine Rymill (1882–1959)[52] | 1948 | Australian Girl Guide Commissioner. State Commissioner for South Australia (1938–1950) |
| Ruth Herrick CBE (1889–1993)[53] | 1949 | Chief Commissioner for New Zealand Girl Guides (1934–1961) |
| Mrs Stewart[54] | 1949 | Scottish Chief Commissioner |
1950–1959
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| H. S. Gresham[55] | 1950 | State Commissioner for Queensland, Australia |
| Olive Hillbrook[56] | 1950 | Rangers Commissioner, England |
| Mrs Douglas[57] | 1950 | |
| Begum G. A. Khan[58] | 1951 | Chief Commissioner of the Pakistan Girl Guides Association. |
| Enid, Lady Burnham CBE (1894–1979)[59] | 1952 | Girl Guide Chief Commissioner for England |
| J. W. Haughton OBE[60] | 1952 | Ulster Guides Chief Commissioner |
| Jessie Kerridge[61] | 1952 | Commissioner for training, Jamaica |
| Gwen Hesketh MBE[62] | 1953 | Guide International Service Commissioner, Tasmania State Commissioner (1956–1962) |
| Helen McSwiney OBE[63] | 1953 | |
| Florence Mitchell[64] | 1953 | Assistant State Commissioner, Victoria, Australia. President, Victoria Guide International Service |
| Eleanor Manning OBE (1906–1986)[65] | 1954 | Chief Commissioner of Guides Australia, World Committee of WAGGGS (1955–1962) |
| Miss Tuckwell [66] | 1954 | Treasurer of WAGGGS |
| Mrs Barnham[67] | 1957 | Post Box Secretary for CHQ and England |
| E. M. Beveridge[68] | 1957 | Commonwealth Camp Advisor |
| Mrs Durrant[69] | 1957 | Commissioner for Kenya |
| Beryl Gibson[70] | 1957 | Commissioner for Training, Cyprus |
| Senator W. E. GreevesMBE[71] | 1957 | Ulster Guides Chief Commissioner |
| Mrs Nesbitt[72] | 1957 | Commissioner for Canada |
| Anne Shepherd[73] | 1957 | County Commissioner, Yorkshire Central |
| Iona M Taylor[74] | 1957 | For international service, and untiring work in Hampshire |
| W Rankine Nesbitt[75] | 1957 | Chief Commissioner of Canada |
| Mollie WalkerMBE[76] | 1957 | |
| Lady Elizabeth Pleydell-Bouverie (1897–1982)[77] | 1958 |
1960–1969
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E Henrietta Osler[78] | 1962 | Chief Commissioner of Canada |
| Hon. Beryl Cozens-Hardy OBE (1911–2011)[44][79] | 1963 | Chief Commissioner for England (1961–1970). Chair of WAGGGS (1972–1975) |
| Nancy Eastick MBE (1920–2011)[80] | 1963 | Guide International Service volunteer, trainer and author |
| Safiya Abdel-Rahman[81] | 1965 | Egyptian Federation for Scouts and Girl Guides, also extremely active in sports for girls in Egypt |
| Gladys "Jim" Buntine OBE (1901–1992)[65] | 1966 | Chief Commissioner of Guides Australia (1962–1968) |
| Sybil Canadine[82] | 1967 | One of the original founders of the Girl Guide movement |
| Joyce Price OBE, CMG (1915–2009)[83] | 1967 | Australian Chief Commissioner (1968–1973), Chairman of WAGGGS, Vice President of Olave Baden-Powell Society (1985–1994) |
| Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowden (1930–2002)[84] | 1967 | President of the Guides |
| Dame Anne Parker Bowles DCVRO[85] | 1969 |
1970–1979
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Margaret Turnbull (1907–1986)[86] | 1971 | Chief Commissioner for New Zealand |
| W P Gurd[87] | 1976 | Chief Commissioner for Canada |
| Vivienne Vaughan-Cox OBE[88] | 1978 | Chair, Overseas Committee for Girl Guides. Commissioner in Gibraltar and Malta. |
| Mrs Owen Walker JP[89] | 1979 | Chief Commissioner of GGA |
1980–1989
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Kathryn Benson-Evans[90] | 1980 | Training Advisor for Wales |
| Rosemary Cadbury Dickson[91] | 1980 | Chief Commissioner for Ulster |
| Dr Helen Laird[92] | 1980 | Vice Chair of WAGGGS |
| Edna Banham[93] | 1981 | |
| Margaret Coleman[94] | 1981 | Editor of Australian magazine Guiding in Australia |
| Mrs Owen John[95] | 1981 | |
| Stella Cunliffe (1917–2002)[96] | 1982 | County Commissioner for London South West |
| Aline Fenwick OBE[97] | 1985 | |
| Mary Hill OAM[98] | 1985 | WAGGGS Commissioner for training |
1990–1999
| Betty Clay[citation needed] CBE (1917–2004) | 1995 | Active in Guiding in both Northern Rhodesia and England. Daughter of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell. Like her mother she received the only other gold Silver Fish. |
2000 onwards
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dorothy Naylor[99] | 2015 | British Guides in Foreign Countries. Special Needs Advisor. |
| Nicola Grinstead[100] | 2016 | Chair of WAGGGS Board of Trustees. |
| Anne Llywelyn-Jones [101] | 2016 | Girlguiding's Overseas Branches advisor |
| Angela Milln[102] | 2016 | Deputy Chief Guide |
| Leslie Knighton MBE[103] | 2018 | Chief Commissioner, British Girlguiding Overseas. |
| Carol Selwyn-Jones[104] | 2020 | British Girlguiding Overseas, Safeguarding Leader |
Date of award unknown
| Recipient | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Clinton (1863–1953)[105] | County Commissioner for Devon | |
| Helen Storrow (1864–1944) | Donor of Our Chalet | |
| Julia Cobb Crowell (1877–1957) | Cleveland's first Girl Scout Commissioner | |
| Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan GBE (1879–1967)[44] | ||
| Countess Gowrie (1879–1965)[106] | Chief Commissioner, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Rose Kerr OBE (1882–1994)[44] | One of the founders of the Rangers. Involved in the formation of WAGGGS | |
| Jane Deeter Rippin (1882–1953)[44] | National Director of Girl Scouts of the USA (1919–1930). | |
| Anne Hyde Choate (1886–1967) | Second president of Girl Scouts USA and goddaughter of its founder Juliette Gordon Low. | |
| Kari Aas (1886–1978) | Chief Scout of the Norsk Speiderpikeforbund (1927–1935). Designed World Flag. | |
| Hon. Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth MBE (1886–1967)[107] | First County Commissioner (1916). First Heraldry Advisor. | |
| A. M. Victoria Rossiter (1887–1977)[108] | Stores Commissioner for Dominion Headquarters | |
| Dame Joan Marsham DBE (1888–1972)[44] | Chairman of the Guiding Association's executive committee for 10 years from 1938. | |
| Mary Cuningham Chater MBE (1896–1990)[44] | Music Advisor to Girl Guides Association (1949–1961) | |
| Hon. Ruth Hubbard (1896–1955)[109] | Assistant Division Commissioner, Buckinghamshire | |
| Violet Synge[44] (1896–1981) | Chief Commissioner of England | |
| Princess Mary (1897–1965)[3] | Honorary President of the Girl Guides Association from 1920 until her death. | |
| Jean Helen St. Clair Campbell, Lady Stratheden and Campbell CBE (1901–1956)[44] | Girl Guide Chief Commissioner for the British Commonwealth (1949–1956) | |
| Connie Stableford (1901–1987)[110] | ||
| Agnes Maynard OBE[111] | Awarded Silver Fish twice | |
| Margaret Crosfield (1902–1988)[112] | Deputy Chief Commissioner for India | |
| Kathleen Mabel Davies-Cooke OBE (1903–1994)[113] | Chair of Girl Guides Association. Chair of Trefoil Guild. Vice-Patron of Trefoil Guild. | |
| Vera Armstrong MBE (1904–1992)[44] | Founded Guide Friendship Fund. | |
| Dame Anstice Gibbs DCVO, CBE (1905–1978)[44] | Chief Commissioner and Chair of British Commonwealth Girl Guides Association (1956–1966). Vice-chair of WAGGGS (1957–1960) | |
| Elizabeth Hartley OBE (1906–1996)[44] | Vice Chair of WAGGGS 20th World Conference. Leader of World Training team. | |
| Alix Liddell[44] (1907–1981) | Editor of WAGGGS' The Council Fire magazine for 30 years | |
| Penelope "Pen" Wood-Hill (1909–1990)[44] | Ran Our Chalet. | |
| Lady Chauvel[114] | State Commissioner, Victoria, Australia | |
| W. Coxon[115] | ||
| Lady Davies[44] | ||
| Betty Fripp[44] | ||
| Mrs Arthur Lewin[116] | Editor of Girl Guide Magazine in South Africa. Awarded Silver Fish pre-1935 | |
| Margaret Martin[44] | ||
| Alice M. Maynard[44] | ||
| Mrs Robotham[117] | India Girl Guides |
See also
- Thanks Badge Girl Scouts of USA highest adult honour
- Silver Wolf Award for distinguished service to Scouting in the UK
References
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