group. Furse was immediately offered the post as director of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), this was equivalent to the rank of rear admiral. The Royal Navy was the first of the armed forces to recruit women and since 1916 the Women's Royal Naval Service took over the role of cooks, clerks, wireless telegraphists, code experts and electricians. The women were so successful that other organisations such as the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) were also established. Post-war After the war, Furse joined the travel agency of Sir Henry Lunn (later known as Lunn Polly). Working mainly in Switzerland, she became an expert skier and did a great deal to popularise the sport with British tourists. Her achievements were acknowledged when she became President of the Ladies' Ski Club. In 1920, Furse formed the Association of Wrens and this led to her becoming head of the Sea Rangers (formerly known as the Sea Guides), and for ten years, from 1928 to 1938, was director of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, whose constitution she drafted. Furse's autobiography, Hearts and Pomegranates, was published in 1940. Her last public appearance was at the Conference of Former Scouts in London in September 1952. Furse died at University College Hospital in London two months later in late November 1952, and two days after her 77th birthday and her wealth at death was £10,996. Legacy There is a blue plaque in Furse's honour at her birthplace, Clifton Hill House, Lower Clifton Hill, Hotwells, in Bristol. It was unveiled on 7 September 2017, following a campaign by the Association of Wrens. The building is now a hall of residence for Bristol University. Her granddaughter was U.S. Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse. References External links Scouting Round the World, John S. Wilson, first edition, Blandford Press 1959, p. 203 1875 births 1952 deaths Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting International Scouting leaders British autobiographers English nurses Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Military personnel from Bristol Writers from London Members of the Royal Red Cross Women's Royal Naval Service officers British women in World War I Women autobiographers Royal Navy admirals of World War I Female admirals Ladies of Grace of the Order of St John