The Women’s Land Army
“Back to the land, we must all lend a hand”
During World War II, the British countryside witnessed a transformation as women from all walks of life donned green jumpers, brown breeches or dungarees, brown felt hats and khaki overcoats – and took on the vital task of sustaining the nation’s food supply. While women had always worked on the land, the Women’s Land Army (WLA) added 80,000 by reviving a scheme introduced in the final year of World War I. These recruits were known as “Land Girls”, while their counterparts in the Timber Corps were less politely nicknamed “Lumber Jills”. Their contributions were indispensable, ensuring that Britain remained fed and resilient in the face of wartime scarcity. Their story is one of hard work, determination, and a deep connection to the land.
“To the fields and the farms we must go”
The Women’s Land Army was reformed in June 1939, just before the outbreak of war, to address the anticipated shortage of agricultural labour. As men left farms to join the armed forces, the WLA was tasked with filling the gap. The organisation aimed to recruit women from both rural and urban areas to work on farms, helping to produce the food necessary for the nation’s survival.
“There’s a job to be done”
Land Girls from cities were in for a shock. Recruitment posters depicting a romanticised life on the land were soon found to be a long way from reality. Training was minimal, with most skills to be learnt on the job – recruits were soon sent to strugle with heavy tasks in tough conditions, often housed in bitterly cold farm buildings. Their work included ploughing fields, planting and harvesting crops, milking cows, tending to livestock, killing rats and cleaning out pigsties. The work was physically demanding, with pay of £1.85 a week for a minimum of 50 hours; many city girls were horribly homesick, but most Land Girls battled on with enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose. They worked in all weather conditions, from the blistering heat of summer to the wet and cold of winter. Enduring these hardships, they developed a deep camaraderie, forming close friendships that lasted lifelong.
”Though we can’t fire a gun”
The arrival of women on farms was met with scepticism and sometimes resistance from many male farmers who doubted their capabilities. However, the Land Girls quickly proved their worth, demonstrating that women were just as capable as men of performing tough manual labour – and in 1944 their pay was raised by a pound a week! Other forms of prejudice were overcome too, after the case of Amelia King. She was refused entry into the Land Army on the grounds that farmers and other Land Girls wouldn’t accept a black woman – but that decision was (eventually) overturned, as British wartime organisations rejected the racist segregation that still applied in American forces.
“We can still do our bit with the hoe”
The contributions of the Women’s Land Army were vast and varied. They played a crucial role in ensuring a supply of home-grown crops such as wheat, potatoes and vegetables. They also helped to increase milk production and maintain the health of livestock. Their efforts were vital in sustaining the nation’s domestic food supply during a time of severe rationing and import restrictions.
The story of the Women’s Land Army entered into national folklore. The Land Girls were immortalised in films, books and television series, The WLA was not officially disbanded until 1950, and live on through reunions and commemorative events. It exemplified the resilience and adaptability that defined the British home front during World War II. The Land Girls’ work ensured that the nation remained nourished and strong during a time of immense hardship. Their story is a powerful reminder of the critical role that women played in sustaining the war effort, and they continue to inspire admiration and respect.
