Nearly 100 former
Land
Girls and
Lumber
Jills have attended a special event hosted by The Queen.
The members of the Women's Land Army and Timber Corps enjoyed
lunch at the Royal Opera House
hosted by
DEFRA secretary Hilary Benn, before visiting
Buckingham Palace where The Queen hosted tea for the veterans
to celebrate their achievements.
One of those attending was ex-Land Army girl Dorothy Etherington
from Trimdon, Co Durham, who travelled to London with
daughter-in-law Marie (pictured).
The 84-year-old had "the most wonderful day" and has even now
started to give talks at the
WI and
Mother's Union about
her experiences in the land army and of her day at the Palace.
"I was delighted to welcome the Land Girls and Lumber Jills to
London as representatives of the thousands of women who provided
food and timber for the nation during World War I and II,"
commented Hilary Benn.
"Over 34,000 members of the Women's Land Army and Timber Corps
have now received a commemorative badge which recognises their
service and acknowledges the debt that we owe them. This is a
fitting tribute to their great efforts when our country was at
war."
Over the last year events have been held around the country to
celebrate the work of these ladies, ranging from church and
cathedral services to afternoon tea and have been organised by
local councils and The Queen's representatives (Lord Lieutenants)
in each region.
Did you know?...
| The Women's Land Army and Timber Corps, also known as the Land
Girls and Lumber Jills, worked on farms and in mills to feed the
nation and provide timber as the male workers went to war.
| At its peak in 1943, there were 80,000 women working on the
land, and 4,000 in the Timber Corps. The Land Army was continued
after the war, finally being disbanded in 1950.
| Land Girls wore uniforms of green ties and jumpers and brown
felt slouch hats.
| Commemorative badges were presented to 50 women by the Prime
Minister at No 10 in 2008. The remaining women were sent their
badges and certificates by post.