AFFILIATIONS: ‘NOTHING SPECIAL HAPPENED’
N
othing special happened. That is what the front of a new memorial in Yorkshire Sculpture Park says. Designed by artist Katrina Palmer and commissioned by 14-18 NOW and the Art Fund, this spectacular memorial commemorates the contribution of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) to the First World War. The artwork consists of a hand-painted horse jump and trench, and will occasionally be brought to life through performance, as a horse and rider gallop across the landscape to take the challenging jump – this is an allusion to the original vision for the FANY to be deployed on horseback. This all-female volunteer ‘military’ organisation wasn’t founded until 1907, an even then the British Army did not want to be associated with them. However, they persevered and provided vital medical support to
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THE CLOTHWORKER | AUTUMN 2018
Belgian and French armies, and later helped to run medical convoys and ambulances for the British. The words on the memorial – quoting the diaries of FANY member Murial Thompson – challenge visitors to consider the everyday heroism shown by women on the front, but also the extraordinary determination shown by women fighting prejudice everywhere. Immediate Past Master Carolyn Boulter, the Clerk and other members of The Company attended the unveiling in mid-June, which was presided over by none other than FANY Commander in Chief HRH The Princess Royal. Top: Sculptor Katrina Palmer with members of The Company. Right: A horsewoman makes the challenging jump. © 2018, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and 14-18 NOW. Courtesy of the artist. Photos by Jonny Walton/Kaptur.
