The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princes Royal’s Volunteer Corps) marked their transfer from the Royal Corps of Signals to London District with a Colours Parade in the presence of Corps Commandant-in-Chief, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on Wednesday 17 May 2023.
Communications Officer
The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princes Royal’s Volunteer Corps) marked their transfer from the Royal Corps of Signals to London District with a Colours Parade in the presence of Corps Commandant-in-Chief, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on Wednesday 17 May 2023.
The Colours Parade took place with the Passing Out Parade of the 2023 cohort of Recruits, which marks the end of their training phase. The transfer of the Corps took effect on 1 February 2023.
The Corps was honoured to be joined by our Commandant-in-Chief to mark such a monumental occasion, and we were delighted and grateful to be joined by distinguished guests from both the Royal Corps of Signals and London District, Livery Companies who provide so much support to the Corps, and the families and guests of the 2023 Recruits.
Congratulations to all of the new members of the Corps!
All images shared with permission UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023
Brief History of the FANY(PRVC) relationship with the Royal Corps of Signals
The FANY’s affinity with the Royal Signals first arose from the legacy of the FANY’s involvement with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II when FANYs served as cipher clerks and wireless operators in signal stations at home and abroad. When Civil Defence became a priority during the Cold War, the FANY adapted their training schedules accordingly, reintroducing weekend Signals training. At this time, a rapport was built up with 39 Signal Regiment in Worship Street and FANYs began Wireless Telegraphy (WT) training working with 39 Signal Regiment on joint exercises. Subsequently, two FANYs qualified as Cypher Instructors. Later, the Corps was asked to provide small teams for a series of minor (but important) classified tasks on Project 39, which included learning skills in Murray Code and working burst transmission radios.
One key, and secret, role the FANY played in the Cold War came under the ORBAT of 2 (NC) Signal Brigade. The FANY was written into the Cold War Chanticleer National Communications Plan which ensured continuity of Government in the event of a substantial attack on the United Kingdom. FANYs were to assist 2 Signal Brigade by deploying to secret bunkers established around the country. These bunkers contained all the facilities required to sustain a community of people for several months. In the event of a nuclear attack it might have been that the presence of a cadre of intelligent young women from the FANY shaped the future survival of the human race.
As a response to the Falklands Crisis in 1982, the Army Board agreed the FANY could train to staff strategic Army Communication Centres (CommCens). So, in 1991, at the start of Op Granby, FANYs worked round-the-clock shifts at the Chatham COMMCEN. Other teams drew on their training and experience at the City of London Police’s Casualty Bureau to help run the PS4(A) Casualty Section. In 1996, the FANY began training for the new commitment with 2 (National Communications) Signal Brigade until 2005 when the Cold War Bunkers were decommissioned.
A new slant to Radio Telephony (RT) roles had been introduced in the 1970s when the new TAVR was formed and the FANY’s RT communications team was invited to provide comms for the recruitment parade in Hyde Park. The FANY was immediately asked to help with future TAVR events and their comms skills saw them supporting the annual TA Courage Trophy for many years and later supporting 71 (Y) Signal Regiment during the London Olympics in 2012.
Since 1992, FANYs have enjoyed multiple training camps and joint exercises with the Royal Signals at Blandford Camp and Corsham. One notably memorable moment came during Ex Footsteps in France in 2002 when FANYs were re-enacting the 1942 parachute drop into occupied France by two FANY SOE Agents. Whilst other FANYs were being instructed in voice procedure, radio operation and the erection of a communication mast, much to the enjoyment of all, the exercise had to be cut short due to the arrival of the FANY parachutists!