Olave Baden-Powell

Olave Clear St Baden-Powell, baroness Baden-Powell , GBE (February 22nd 1889 - June 19th 1977) were born under the name of Olave Clear St Soames with Chesterfield, England. Later, it was known under the name of Olave, Lady Baden-Powell . She succeeded and survived her husband, Robert Baden-Powell the founder of the Scoutisme and the Guidisme, nearly 35 years.

Beginnings of its life

Olave was more the young girl of a brewer and artist: Harold Soames (itself going down from a family of the land aristocracy, and, maternal side of a coil-made man , Joseph Gilstrap Gelthorpe, which was mayor of Newark in the Nottinghamshire). She was raised by her father, her Katharine mother (born Hill) and a certain number of controlling domestic. She often changed house as his/her father travelled much. Olave became very gifted in the sports of outdoor like tennis, swimming, football, ice-skating and the canyoning. She also played of the violin.

In January 1912, Olave met a hero of the second Guerre of Boers and founder of scouting, Robert Baden-Powell, whereas this last travelled on the Arcadia ship on the way for New York at the time its first round the world tour of scouting. She was 23 years old, him 55, and they were born the same day (February 22nd). They became engaged in September of the same year. To avoid the press, they married in secrecy on October 30th 1912.

Each Scout and Guide of England gave a penny to make them a wedding gift (a car).

Baden-Powells had three children - a son and two girls:

Peter, 2nd Baron Baden-Powell with died of her father in 1941 (1913-1962),
Hon. Heather Baden-Powell (1915-1986) and
Hon. Betty Baden-Powell (1917-2004) which married in 1936 Gervase Charles Robert Clay (born in 1912), which had 3 wire and 1 girl.

During the First World War, Olave left his/her children to take part in the effort of war in France.

Scouting

Olave became Commissaire of County of the Girl Guides in 1916, then Chef Guides of England in 1918 and was elected Chef Guides world in 1930. This same year, it was honoured by the title with Great lady with the British Empire by the king George V. His/her father bought to him Pax Hill in the Hampshire where she lived with her husband of 1918 to 1939.

With her husband and after his death, she visited many countries to promote scouting and the guidism there. From 1941 to 1970, she visited 107 countries. She travelled by air, sea, by ground, by train, on elephant, by rickshaw, in car, returning visit with many associations guides and scoutes and honouring with her presence several international Jamborees and camps.

End of its life

In October 1939, Olave moves with Nyeri with the Kenya with her husband where this one dies on January 8th 1941. In 1942, it faces the attacks of the U-boot and turns over to its apartment of Hampton Court De luxe hotel (where it lived of 1943 to 1976), since its house of Pax Hill was requisitioned by the Canadian soldiers. During the war, she travels in the United Kingdom. Fortunately, it was in visit when a missile V2 damages its apartment in 1944. As soon as it could, after the Débarquement, it turns over to France and remakes a turn of Europe to revivify scouting and the guidism after the war.

After having survived an heart attack in 1961, it was to him interdict to travel. In 1970, then 80 years old one diagnosed diabetes to him, of which she undoubtedly died. When it was not possible any more for him to travel abroad, it continued its mission by correspondence.

Olave died on June 19th 1977 with Birtley House. Its ashes were brought back to the Kenya to be placed near her husband.

The Olave Center for the guides was built in the north of London in its memory. The world Office and the World center “Pax Lodge” are located in the same building.

Each year Scouts and the Guides of the whole world celebrate the Thinking Day the birthday day of Robert and Olave Baden Powell, on February 22nd.

Internal bonds

External bonds

{in} Olave Baden Powell - the Chief Guides world
{in} Robert Baden-Powell
{in} Photographies

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