The Glory Girls: First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANYs)

Mary, Anne, Iris and tough little Effie form a formidable group when, in 1939, they join the FANYs, or more precisely the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, euphemistically calling themselves 'The Glory Girls'. However, the glory they dreamed of is short-lived as their unit moves from the London blitz to occupied France. Forbidden love, betrayal and tragedy stalk them and as their personal courage is tried - and sometimes found lacking - survival seems to depend largely on luck. This is especially so for Mary. As a Special Operations Executive, and with very little training, she is sent behind enemy lines in a desperate attempt to save the lives of men in a safe house under Nazi threat. And now her only contact has been murdered by the Gestapo... Review Petra, TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE The Glory Girls by June Gadsby is one book which I loved to read and one which I would recommend to all lovers of historical fiction especially those interested in the Second World War. This author showed the true commitment of those young people who thought nothing of giving up everything they loved for the country they loved more than anything. It specially showed the true bravery of the wonderful group of women who were in service to their country namely FANY (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry), who have been in service from 1907 and actually are still in operation today. The Glory Girls were four girls Mary West, Anne Beasley, Effie Donaldson and Iris Morrison who all came from a small mining village called Felling in the outskirts of Newcastle in the north of England. The girls joined the FANY's when the Second World War started and off they went to serve their country. They thought they would be serving tea and driving ambulances but the war was to take the girls places they would never have dreamed off also into situations they could never have imagined when they were back home with their loved ones. The book showed the many heroic duties the girls who actually served within this organisation had throughout the war. I loved everything about the book from the writing to the characters especially Mary West who the author concentrated on throughout the book. There were funny parts which mainly came from Effie Donaldson's character and there were sad parts but the bravery of the girls shone throughout the book especially Mary as she is sent into German occupied France to save the man she loves and the men he saved as a doctor. This book has everything a good book needs and it was a book which I know I will return too as it is one of those books I feel I could read a few times and get enjoyment from reading it without getting bored.