First Aid Nursing Yeomanry

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The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal's Volunteer Corps), known today as FANY (PRVC), is a British independent all-female charity. Founded in 1907, it began as a first aid link between field hospitals and the front lines and later expanded to include nursing, signaling, and other skills. Members are civilian volunteers who pay for training and qualifications, wear military-style uniforms, but are not part of the Regular Army, Army Reserve, or any armed forces; they do not hold military commissions.

During World War I, FANYs drove ambulances, ran hospitals, and set up casualty clearing stations near the front. In 1916 they officially became ambulance drivers for the British Army. The corps gained recognition for bravery and contributed to the war effort with nursing and medical support, earning numerous decorations.

In the interwar years and World War II, the FANY continued training in radio work, first aid, and vehicle maintenance. A significant role in the Second World War was their work with the Special Operations Executive (SOE), where they served as trainers, coders, signallers, forgers, dispatchers, and even agents. They supported operations across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Far East, with many serving under hazardous conditions.

After the war, the corps remained independent and self-funded. In 1999 it was officially renamed the Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps (FANY (PRVC)). The Princess Royal has been Commandant-in-Chief since 1981. Today, FANY (PRVC) focuses on deploying rapid-response teams to support civil and military authorities during crises. They have contributed to modern emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting NHS sites, police, and emergency appeals.

Training and eligibility: members train weekly and are on call 24/7 in emergencies. The corps is open to volunteers aged 18 to 45 who live or work near London within the M25. Members learn communications, first aid, navigation and map reading, orienteering, shooting, self-defence, survival skills, and advanced driving, and they work with various military partners. Their dress resembles modern British Army uniforms, and they maintain a distinctive rank system, even though they remain civilian volunteers.