Identify insignia? First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in E Africa

[RobD]

Can anyone explain for me what are the "V" shaped flashes on the petrol tanks of these motor bikes?
The photo comes from http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol106em.html and the legend to the photo is:
Many South African women paid their own passage to East Africa
to join the FANYs (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry), seen
here equipped with 500cc SV M20 BSAs. (Photo: SANDF).

[RobD]

Here are more pics of the same - any ideas?

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi Rob

Sorry unable to assist, at first thought they might be wings?

In WW1 the SA Motor Cyclist Corp badge was a winged wheel.

Brian

[54Bty]

Possibly the Crossed Panga's for East Africa Command.

[Rob Miller]

I don't know what the markings are but the machines pictured are Triumph 3SWs rather than BSA M20s, also the second picture has been mirrored.

Rob

[Rob Miller]

A slightly better picture

[RobD]

Thanks, fellas.
I am sceptical that FANY nurses would perform acrobatics on motorbikes.
I wonder if this was an acrobatic team? If so, whether the emblem on the tanks is a pair crossed showbiz spotlights? And nothing to do with South Africa.

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by RobD

And nothing to do with South Africa.

The title you used stated :

Many South African women paid their own passage to East Africa to join the FANYs

Yet the same photo on another site is titled :

South African girls who went to England to join the "First Aid and Nursing Yeomanry" learn stunt riding to give them balance and confidence in handling their machines.

So , possibly the photos are from UK rather than South Africa.

.

[leigh kitchen]

If a UK summer then wearing their SA sun helmets, ok, maybe, but where are their waterproofs and umbrellas?

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by RobD

Thanks, fellas.
I am sceptical that FANY nurses would perform acrobatics on motorbikes.
I wonder if this was an acrobatic team? If so, whether the emblem on the tanks is a pair crossed showbiz spotlights? And nothing to do with South Africa.

Photo from same era (1942) but different markings on bikes , definitely looks like a 'display team'.

https://editorial01.shutterstock.com...l-7410786a.jpg

Edit : Is this the other side of the bike ? Some photos posted earlier are mirror images.

.

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

If a UK summer then wearing their SA sun helmets, ok, maybe, but where are their waterproofs and umbrellas?

OK , have had my morning coffee now !

The photos are from Kenya and the group are described as the "Motor-cycle Signals Section".

Here is the original British Movietone clip the photos are from :

http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/yo...d4326ddf34e0e7


.

[Brian Conyngham]

Originally Posted by mike_vee

OK , have had my morning coffee now !

The photos are from Kenya and the group are described as the "Motor-cycle Signals Section".

Here is the original British Movietone clip the photos are from :

http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/yo...d4326ddf34e0e7


.

Just love those old newsreel commentary's.....

[RobD]

That solves it well enough!