The History of Brownies

By Rachael Skelly (Girl Guide) 1914

The Guides had been officially started in 1910 – but it wasn’t long before the younger sisters of the Guides wanted to join in. It just wasn’t possible – not through any bias or ageism, but simply because in those days Guides would set off early in the morning to hike for miles into the countryside at marching speed, hold long ‘field days’ of lively activities and games, then march back home again as evening drew in – and simply, the younger girls couldn’t physically keep up with the pace set by their older sisters, even if they tried, and so they had to be left behind. It was soon decided that the demand across the country from the younger girls meant it would be necessary to set up a separate sections to cater for those enthusiastic younger girls who were clamouring for a chance to be guides and show what they could do ...

So in 1914 it happened – two years before Wolf Cubs officially started! There had been a lot of suggestions for possible names, but the option that was chosen was ‘Rosebuds’, the idea being that they would blossom into Guides’. The younger girls loved the activities, didn’t mind the uniform – but surprisingly allegedly considered the name far too twee! There was a request for suggestions, and in 1915 ‘Brownies’ was chosen, and the popular story, ‘The Brownies’ by Juliana Horatia Ewing was massively adapted and cut down by Robert Baden – Powell, into the version featuring TOMMY and Betty which appeared in the handbooks for many years, and which still appears, in further- adapted format, to be read to all new recruits during their first weeks in order to help give an understanding of what Brownies are all about.

The Uniform

It took time to settle on a Brownie uniform – initially the Rosebuds had worn navy jerseys and skirts, with a large navy tammy – type hat and a light – blue knotted tie, as worn by two of the girls in the the photo here.

In 1915, 4 different uniform frock options were suggested – one I navy and three in Brown, with an acorn Promise badge. Initially it appears the Sixes may have been named after trees, but by 1918 a selection of ‘fairy folk’ Six names and badges were used – Elf, Gnome, Sprite, Imp, Pixie, Fairy, Leprechaun, Little People, Bwbachod, Tylwyth Teg. (Ghillie Dhu was added in 1928, to ensure that there were two Scottish names alongside the two Irish and two Welsh). Each Six was led by a “Sixer”, who was helped by her “Second” and they led their Six, a thin ‘Wand’ in hand. Metal ‘Service Stars’ were issued, to be worn above the left pocket, with a brown felt disc behind – one for each year of MEMBERSHIP.

By the early 1920s the question of uniform had settled down, with most units wearing a standard brown cotton dress with chest pockets, a brown leather belt and a brown tie, or a brown jersey over a brown kilted skirt with bodice. Uniform lists also specified that they should wear brown knickers - an in an era when knickers were often nearly knee-length, it was not unknown for inspection to include checking that the correct colour was being worn! Black wool stockings were generally worn with uniform, as they would have been daily wear with ordinary clothes anyway, although in 1928 the option of knee-high socks was introduced, and most units wore a pull-on sunhat in either straw or cotton, (though some wore knitted woollen hats) - and the Promise badge was a Brownie figure on a metal bar pin. Sixers wore two broad yellow stripes right round their sleeve, and Seconds one stripe. The fairy folk were now fully established as Six names too - with the options being Bwbachod, Tylwyth Teg, Leprechaun, Little People, Ghillie Dhu, Kelpie, Elf, Gnome, Sprite, Imp, Pixie, Fairy. The badges were embroidered in colour on a brown rectangle - initially the badges were embroidered on felt, later versions were machine stitched, backed and edged. Each Six had a rhyme which was sung by the relevant Six's members as part of their opening ceremony.