Betty Clay

Infobox Person
name = Betty Clay


caption =
birth_date = 1917-04-16
birth_place =
death_date = 2004-04-24
death_place =
other_names = Betty St Clair Baden-Powell
known_for = Guiding and Scouting
occupation =
nationality = British

Betty Clay CBE (1917-04-16 - 2004-04-24), born Betty St Clair Baden-Powell, was an international leader in Scouting and Guiding. She was the third and last child of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, and Olave Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide. She was the holder of the Bronze Wolf from the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and a gold Silver Fish in the form of a brooch from the Guide Association.

Clay enrolled in the Brownies as soon as she was old enough. While boarding at St James' School in Malvern, Worcestershire, she joined the school's Guide company. [cite news | last = Carter | first = Simon | title = Betty Clay | publisher = The Independent | date = 2004-05-14 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040514/ai_n12783612 | accessdate =2008-04-23]

She married Gervas Clay in 1936 and moved to Northern Rhodesia. Betty and Gervas had a birthday on the same day. They had four children: Robin, Chispin, Gillian and Nigel. While in Northern Rhodesia, Clay became a Cub Scout leader for one of her son's group when the leader left. She was also an active Guider in Northern Rhodesia, eventually becoming Colony Commissioner for Guides.

When the Clays returned to England in 1964, Clay continued her involvement. She was President of the South West Region for the Guide Association from 1970-1991. In 1978 she was appointed a vice-president of the Guide Association. In 1985 she became a vice-president of the Scout Association. In 1993, she became the second person ever to be awarded an honorary Gilwell Wood Badge [cite web | title = Betty Has Gone Home | date =2004-05-08 | url = http://pinetreeweb.com/betty-clay.htm | accessdate =2008-04-22] . In 1997 Clay was awarded the CBE. She attended many jamborees, including the 4th World Scout Jamboree and 16th World Scout Jamboree.

Clay died in her sleep in 2004. [cite web| title = Betty Clay, last direct link with the Founder of Scouting and Guiding Lord Baden-Powell dies | url = http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/headline/040424.htm | accessdate =2008-04-22] A memorial service was held at Wells Cathedral, Somerset.

The Scout Association's Betty Clay Library is at Gilwell Park.

ee also

References

External links

* [http://pinetreeweb.com/betty-clay.htm Betty Has Gone Home]
* [http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq/pr/bc-large.jpgPhotograph of Betty Clay]
* [http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/chronoimages/pax1931.jpgPhotograph of the Baden-Powell family, including Clay in her Brownie uniform (second from right)]

Persondata
NAME = Clay, Betty
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Baden-Powell, Betty St Clair (maiden name)
SHORT DESCRIPTION =
DATE OF BIRTH = 1917-04-16
PLACE OF BIRTH =
DATE OF DEATH = 2004-04-24
PLACE OF DEATH =