Communications Officer
Throughout the events taking place this week to mark eighty years since Victory in Europe, we will be sharing thoughts from FANYs taking part and sharing their reflections on why they joined the Corps, and why it was important to them to take part in this week’s events.
Today we are sharing Kate Belshaw's thoughts, who is supporting the unveiling of a Blue Plaque celebrating the life of Odette Hallowes.
I can’t remember how I first heard about the FANY, but with four Grandparents and one Great Grandparent connected to the military or war efforts in some way – Coldstream Guards, WRNS, North Irish Horse, Land Army, and Scots Guards – I’m sure the Corps must have come up in conversation. I wanted to follow in my Grandparents’ and Great Granddad’s footsteps, to do something in their honour and to give something back; so when I saw the FANY marching past the Cenotaph and the name rang a bell, I fell down a rabbit hole researching the Corps. The eminent history of the FANY, its values, and its remit today in supporting civil and military organisations seemed the perfect fit. I sent in an application and the rest is history…I joined the Corps in September 2017, passing out the following May.
Over the last seven years, I have supported in times of crisis, such as in the Nightingale Hospital’s Family Support and Liaison Team, providing daily updates to next of kin on their loved ones being treated there, and with the North London Coroner, supporting bereaved relatives during Covid. I have also deployed in non-emergency operations, including the Elworthy Trophy, London Poppy Day, the Lord Mayor’s Show, and the National Service of Remembrance and the March Past at the Cenotaph. I have been fortunate enough to have supported in incredible one off events too – a parade and inspection with the Chelsea Pensioners, a veteran’s dinner held underneath the planes at the Imperial War Museum, and the VE Day Parade earlier this week – hopefully doing my Grandpa, who was a Drill Sergeant in the Coldstream Guards, proud! Following the death of Her Late Majesty The Queen, I was honoured to support at the Accession Council, where King Charles III was formally proclaimed King. My Grandpa often talked about being on duty for the late Queen’s Coronation, so to have been on duty at the Privy Council meeting marking the end of her reign was not just a once in a lifetime opportunity, but also meant so much to me personally.
Today I am on duty at the unveiling of a Blue Plaque for Odette Hallowes and at the VE Day Concert. Odette’s Blue Plaque celebrates the life and service of an incredible woman, who was one of the FANYs sent into occupied France in World War Two as an agent. She survived pneumonia, Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, and the war, becoming one of the Corps’ most venerated veterans. The Concert this evening marks the culmination of the nation’s celebrations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with live music (including some wartime classics) and reflections from veterans and wartime heroes on their experiences of VE Day and the end of the Second World War. The Corps will be supporting a number of veterans who are guests of honour at the Concert, accompanying them to Horseguards Parade.
It is such an honour and privilege to be a FANY; to support civil and military authorities, whether in times of crisis or as part of routine operations, and to wear the uniform that countless incredible women have worn, and still wear today