For your perusal The Women's Land Army: As inWorld War One, women were called on to help on the land and the Women’s Land Army (WLA) was re-formed in July 1939. Their work was vital as so many men were being called up into the military. WLA Service dress In August 1940, only 7,000 women had joined but with the crisis caused by Hitler’s U-boats, a huge drive went on from this date on to get more women working on the land. Even Churchill feared that the chaos caused by the U-boats to our supplies from America would starve out Britain. The government tried to make out that the work of the WLA was glamorous and adverts showed it as this. In fact, the work was hard and young women usually worked in isolated communities. Many lived in years old farm workers cottages without running water, electricity or gas. Winter, in particular, could be hard especially as the women had to break up the soil by hand ready for sowing. However, many of the women ate well as there was a plentiful supply of wild animals in the countryside - rabbit, hares, pheasant and partridges. They were paid 32 shillings a week - about £1.60. enquiries@historylearningsite.co.uk
Thankyou for your post, Debra. I have been of the opinion for a long time, that, given the same opportunity to serve in front line roles as men do, women will actually do a better job, once we get over our idea that they are the 'weaker' gender. Sven Hassel, in his Eastern Front faction novels tells thatt his unit used to slaughter out of hand those women that were captured alive by his unit..He said that the ferocity displayedd by these Soviet girl soldiers was barbbarous, and woe! betide the German soldier unfortunate enough to find himself in their hands. The distingguished author, Frank Herbert, in his popular 'Dune' series, has the final product of human development up to that point (The God Epmeror LetoII), guarded by an army of WOMEN called ' The Fish Speakers'...Thewse women have a reputation for ferocity and extreme violence in battle that is second to none of all the military units described in Herberts novels... And Frank Herbert wrote nothing but SERIOUS science fiction... I agree with himwholeheartedly, that to "carry a baby around with you for nine months, and to then give birth to it, changes your atitude to the preservation and/or destruction of human life." Watch out in the future for the resurrection of these Amazon warriors, that will change our approach to war by a feminine approach of only going to war when absolutely necessary.... We also await out first female global totalitarian tyrant ala Hitler and Stalin...One can just imagine the sheer ANGER that a woman tyrant will be able to whip up, not to mention the fanatical following likely to be engendered... Sobering thoughts indeed..
Hi Wouldnt normally mention another forum but someone on Rootschat is running a posting to try and get people to sign a petition reference getting the Land Army lasses recognition. Please go sign it! dee
Dear Debra, I wonder if you can help. My grandmother recently passed away and I came into possession of her WLA arm band, tie and membership card. This got me to wanting to find out more about her service. Specifically where she worked and dates etc. Would you know of any where that may be able to aasist me with my research or somewhere that would keep any form of service records etc? Thank you in advance for any assistance that you (or anybody else) may be able to provide. Kind regards. Stuart
Hello I am second year student from Leeds trinity currently working on a work placement at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming just outside York. The museum are opening a Brand new exhibit this Easter on the WLA during WWII. Everyone is invited!!! I am wondering if there is any former WLA members on this site who would like to share any memories they have in the organisation or if anyone has any memories or artifacts from former members of the organisation they would like to share with us or donate to the museum to be a part of the exhibit, we would love to hear from you! For details about the exhibit or any other questions please contact: wlafarmingmuseum@gmail.com or visit the museums website: Yorkshire Museum of Farming and Danelaw Centre for Living History Thanks a lot
Hi, I am trying to locate my grandmothers records. I have searched on the National Archives and Ancestry but am unale to find anything. Her name was Catherine Duffy (Married name Wilson) born in 1924. I know she married in 1943 so she may have left the service then. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi, I am trying to locate my grandmothers records. I have searched on the National Archives and Ancestry but am unale to find anything. Her name was Catherine Duffy (Married name Wilson) born in 1924. I know she married in 1943 so she may have left the service then. Any help would be appreciated. What part of the UK did your gran come from? I believe the Scottish National Archives have some WLA paperwork. Unfortunately they didn't hold any info on my aunt when I enquired but might be worth a try. Good luck with your search.
