The Government plans to formally recognise the efforts of the WWII Land Girls.
DEFRA Minister Hilary Benn has announced the government will acknowledge the efforts of the Women's Land Army by presenting surviving members with a special badge commemorating their service and acknowledging the debt that the country owes to them.
The Women's Land Army worked on farms to feed the nation as the male workers went to war.
At its peak in 1943, there were some 80,000 women working on the land, and it was continued after the war, finally being disbanded in 1950.
With their uniform of green ties and jumpers and brown felt slouch hats, they worked from dawn to dusk, milking cows, digging ditches, sowing seeds and harvesting crops. They supplied the nation with food, supporting the war effort and avoiding food shortages.
The work of the Women's Timber Corps (also known as the 'Lumber Jills') will also be recognised. They worked in the forests to provide timber for the war effort felling trees, sawing timber and sharpening saws.
Hilary Benn will present the badges to the first group of recipients at a ceremony to be held next year.
Comments (2)
My mum was a Land Girl... so I will have to let her know about this. Glad they are doing something for them. They worked their socks off during the war, trying to do their bit.
Posted by Jane | December 11, 2007 5:13 PM
Posted on December 11, 2007 17:13
I was in the land army for an approx period of 2 and half years from 1942. My DOB is 07.01.1922. I would be grateful if you could let my have any information with regard to the special badges recently announced by Hilary Benn. Many thanks
Posted by Audrey Millicent Stead | January 17, 2008 3:59 PM
Posted on January 17, 2008 15:59