Beginnings

Prostitutes were considered a particular problem in the towns and cities of Victorian England and philanthropists formed 'rescue societies' to rehabilitate them. In 1872 the Bishop of Winchester asked Mary Elizabeth Townsend, an Irish clergyman's daughter married to the wealthy Frederick Townsend, to help form a rescue society. She decided instead to help prevent girls 'falling' in the first place and to this end the GFS was officially established on 1st January 1875.

Mrs Townsend's concern was working-class country girls who left home, aged about 14, to take up urban employment. Cut off from the support of friends and family they could fall prey to danger or temptation and Mrs Townsend's idea was for 'lady' Associates to befriend and guide these girls, who would form the Society's Members. Sometimes this was on a one-to-one basis, but usually Associates formed Branches which held regular meetings for the Members.

Opposite: 5GFS/11/2 Mary Townsend is seen here as a mature woman, but at the launch of the GFS she was still in her 30s. The Townsends were childless and the GFS became Mary's extended family.