The WLA had originally been set up in 1917 but disbanded at the end of the First World War. It reformed in June 1939. Women were initially asked to volunteer to serve in the Land Army and, from December 1941, could also be conscripted into land work. At its peak in 1944, there were more than 80,000 women – often known as 'land girls' – in the WLA.

To the rear of the overalls is clear evidence of where the original issue label was originally affixed. Sadly it is no longer present but there is a clear outline of stitching where it once was. There are no other markings to the overalls but the original owner has marked her name and number to the interior in ink which reads 'Daphne Hedges 139301'. She has also included the years shewas in service as 1944 - 1950.womenwore their shoulders puffed and padded to emphasize the hourglass look made famous byChristian Dior. In this blog post, I explore what these records can tell us about women in the Land Army, and focus on a few of the women we can find in these records. What can these index cards tell us? Take40s ladies fashionfor a modern ride by pairing the unexpected of40s stylewith your modern wardrobe basics for your own unique blend of old and new, main street and high street, haute couture and trendy looks. Build yourvintage inspiredcapsule collection based on your own fashion taste and style, so that the40s styletreasures you collect mesh seamlessly with your personal style persona. Land Girls were expected to work long hours for the war effort with very little free time. Some had one day off per week but others might only get one weekend off per month. It was not until 1943 that Land Girls had the legal right to one week’s paid holiday time per year. In their very limited leisure time, Land Girls were encouraged to do whatever they could for the war effort with many of them putting on events as a fun way of fundraising. This included dances, quizzes, tea parties, whist drives, sports tournaments, stage productions and craft fairs. During these events many Land Girls would continue to wear their uniforms but some would opt for tea dresses or two-piece skirt suits. Our very appropriately named Lumber Jill dress would be a perfect example of the kind of dress they would wear outside of work.

The Land Girls did a wide range of jobs, including milking cows, lambing, managing poultry, ploughing, gathering crops, digging ditches, catching rats and carrying out farm maintenance work. Some 6,000 women worked in the Timber Corps, chopping down trees and running sawmills. The Women's Land Army (WLA) made a significant contribution to boosting Britain's food production during the Second World War. The index cards only contain information about those individuals who participated in the Land Army in the Second World War. The online images and indexes exclude individuals born less than 100 years ago. To learn more about the Women’s Land Army in general, read this blog on the The Women’s Land Army in eight documents. Vera Nancy Horn was, on the surface, an average Land Girl just trying to contribute towards the war effort. Vera served with the West Suffolk branch of the Land Army, having previously lived in Hemel Hempstead, as her index card shows. Vera had served in the Land Army for several years when, at the age of 28, she became involved in something unexpected – when a USAAF Fortress Bomber aircraft crashed in a meadow at Rougham, Suffolk on 24 December 1944. World War II Civil Defence Gallantry Awards, 1940-1949. Case Number: 2273C. Name: Vera Nancy Horn. Catalogue ref: HO 250/103/2273CAnd mow – our Women on the Land.’ From the Women’s Land Army Handbook containing the Land Army Song. Catalogue ref: MAF 59/2 Although the Women’s Land Army is often associated with the Second World War, it was first formed in 1917 by the Board of Agriculture, and then disbanded until June 1939. The government initially asked for volunteers, but later moved to conscripting women. The Land Army was to be disbanded for the final time in 1950. Women’s Land Army girls practicing milking. Catalogue ref: MAF 59/154 Before the Second World War, Britain had imported much of its food. When war broke out, it was necessary to grow more food at home and increase the amount of land in cultivation. With many male agricultural workers joining the armed forces, women were needed to provide a new rural workforce. Small annotations on the records can help you learn about an individual’s wider life. For example, there might be a comment to suggest someone was discharged for medical or compassionate reasons. At times it might say dismissed for not following regulations. On the card of MrsBeryl Holmes it was noted that she left the service as she was ‘setting up home for husband’. Many women left the service when they got married or became pregnant. World War II Women’s Land Army Index Card of Amy Rosina Hope. Catalogue ref: MAF 421/1 Vera Nancy Horn Vintage stylein the 1940s focused on a narrow waist worn withfull skirtsthat were pleated, flared or gathered and fell below the knee, with belts emphasizing an hourglass figure.

Theland girlof40s fashionput her own spin on her land army uniform, layering playful blouses infloral prints, Peter Pan collars and puffed sleeves under her overalls. Land girls did a wide variety of jobs on the land. They worked in all weathers and conditions and could be directed to work anywhere in the country.Fabulous. Mum (Vera Shaw) was in the Women’s Timber Corps of the WLA, and loved it. Today I’ve just been able to look up not only mum, but also her very best pal Elsie Wilkinson. I’m sitting here smiling at my pic of mum and Elsie on the caterpillar tractor they drove, at Guilsford, near Welshpool. They were part of a team, mainly men. Mum’s role was to drag felled trees – for pit props and telephone poles – over rough terrain to a storage area in the lower woods.