Anna Suckling

Anna Maria Jerome was born in 1863 to John and Mary Jerome. She was the oldest of five children. The family home was Holland House, Sutton Coldfield.^[2] She married Cornelius William Suckling (1856–1935), a surgeon, in 1881.^[3] They lived in Edgbaston^[4] and had two sons, John and Cornelius. She was living in Oxford when she died.^[5]

Suckling became involved with Girl Guiding in 1910, one year after the movement's foundation.^[6] Between 1913 and 1921 she served as the first County Commissioner for Girl Guiding in Warwickshire.^[7] Suckling organised the movement across the Midlands with membership increasing so significantly during her time that between 1912 and 1921 six additional Division Commissioners were appointed.^[8] In July 1913, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell inspected 150 Girl Guides representing nine companies at the Suckling's home.^[9]

Suckling received the Silver Fish Award, Girl Guiding's highest adult honour, in 1921. It was presented by the Chief Guide, Lady Olave Baden-Powell, at Warwickshire's first Guide Rally, at Shrubland Park in Leamington Spa.^[10] Suckling resigned from her position as County Commissioner in October 1921^[11] but continued to be involved in Guiding until at least 1924.^[12]