Katharine Furse

Dame Katharine Furse
Katharine Furse (Glyn Philpot, 1920)
Birth nameKatharine Symonds
Born(1875-11-23)23 November 1875
Bristol, Great Britain
Died25 November 1952(1952-11-25) (aged 77)
London, Great Britain
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchWomen's Royal Naval Service
RankDirector
CommandsWomen's Royal Naval Service (1917–19)
Battles / warsFirst World War
AwardsDame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Royal Red Cross
Spouse(s)
(m. 1900; died 1904)
RelationsJohn Addington Symonds (father)
Marianne North (aunt)
Elizabeth Furse (granddaughter)
Other workDirector of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (1928–38)

Dame Katharine Furse, GBE, RRC (née Symonds; 23 November 1875 – 25 November 1952) was a British nursing and military administrator. She led the British Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment force during the First World War, and served as the inaugural Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service (1917–19). Furse was also the first Director of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (1928–38).