The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) was the earliest quasi-military force in which women were actively prepared for service.

Established in 1907, it acted as a first-aid link between front-line fighting units and field hospitals. As well as running hospitals, its members drove ambulances and set up soup kitchens and canteens for the troops during the First World War.

In this enlightening talk, Professor Juliette Pattinson will look at the formation of the FANY, the women who made up this pioneering organisation, and their highly-decorated service during the First World War.

Juliette Pattinson is Professor of Modern History at the University of Kent, with a particular specialism in gender and war, clandestine warfare, personal testimonies and home-front culture. She has published numerous books on these topics including: Women of War, Men in Reserve and Behind Enemy Lines.

First Aid Nursing Yeomanry: The Early Years