Girl Guards - Salvation Army

In 1916 the Salvation Army Life-Saving Guards program began in the USA. Some time later, the name was changed to the Girl Guards, and continues today. Girl Guards are 11 - 13 year old girls. Younger girls are called Sunbeams ( 6 -10 years old) and 14 & older are called Senior Guards. The actual age limits varied over the years.

Life Saving Guards were required to own and wear their uniform once they completed the Beginner requirements. The uniforms were very similar to other girl programs of the time, including the Girl Scouts.

The Early Years:

Life-Saving Girl Guards help with the "War Gardens" of World War I.

This "brass star" is a Beginner's Badge (membership pin), and shows the four points of the Life Saving Guards: Guarding the Soul (the lamp), Guarding the Mind (the eye), Guarding the Body (the clubs - representing physical exercise), Guarding of Others (the center - a patrol of Life-Saving Guards). The open book at the top of the Star is the Bible, reminding Life-Saving Guards the importance of God in their lives. The pin was designed to look like a life-preserver and a rope around the edge

This brass banner says "To Save And To Serve", the motto of the Life Saving Guard. This banner indicated being a First Class Life-Saving Guard. It was worn directly under the brass star.

1934 cloth emblems

Early Life-Saving Guard in uniform, noted in the handbook as being forest green khaki. Note the emblem on the hat, this girl is a First Class Life-Saving Guard.

examples of Life-Saving Guard badges from 1934

Dressmaker Badge - this badge was issued to a girl in the USA, although the actual badge was made in England

Salvation Army Test badge

Cooking badge

Dairymaid badge

Life-Saving Guard uniform button

Life-Saving Guard belt buckle

This all-in-one metal badge is likely from England's program

Early Handbook, when they were still called the Life-Saving Guards

Camping was a traditional part of the Girl Guards - read the last paragraph as to why man is needed at a girls' camp.

Sometime in the late 1930's or early 1940's the program was renamed the Girl Guards.

The uniform was updated, a new handbook was issued and the membership pin was redesigned.

Senior Girl Guards had special badges that only they could earn - Aviatrix, Civics, Automobiling are examples.

A fine looking group of uniformed Girl Guards found online - but I can't re-find it to give it due credit - sorry!

The Girl Guard Pledge:

I promise to the best of my ability:

To fear God and serve Him.

To give my strength and sympathy to the weak and suffering.

To be loyal to my country.

To be true to the Girl Guard Declaration.

The membership pin was now a silver metal pin with the words "Girl Guards" in the center and the motto around the life preserver.

The four points of the Girl Guards changed a bit with the new pin: Guarding of Others (the lamp), Guarding the Mind (the eye), Guarding the Body (the clubs - representing physical exercise), Guarding the Soul Bible at the top of the Star.