Imperial War Museums - What was the Women's Land Army?

 

WLA girls sawing larch poles at the Women's Timber Corps training camp in Suffolk Did you know that Daylight Saving Time was introduced in 1916 to boost food production? As British Summer Time begins, we explore the contribution of the Women’s Land Army (WLA) to increasing food production during wartime. Before the Second World War, Britain 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. The WLA had originally been set up in 1917 but was disbanded at the end of the First World War. It reformed in June 1939, just before the onset of the Second World War. Women were initially asked to volunteer for the Land Army and, from December 1941, could also be conscripted into land work.  By autumn 1941, more than 20,000 women had volunteered to serve in the WLA. One third of these volunteers had lived in London or another large city. Recruitment posters depicted a healthy outdoor lifestyle, which appealed to many urban women and girls. At its peak in 1944, there were more than 80,000 women – often known as 'land girls' – in the WLA. Land girls did a wide variety of jobs. They worked in all weathers and conditions and could be directed to work anywhere in the country. (continues below)   Summer Opening Hours IWM Duxford and HMS Belfast With summer approaching and daylight hours getting longer, IWM Duxford and HMS Belfast are now operating extended opening hours. Both branches will be open daily from 10am until 6pm, with last entry at 5pm. To plan your visit to one of IWM's branches this summer, visit our website. Plan A Visit       Many land girls lived in at the farms where they worked. However, in rural areas, living conditions could be very basic and the lifestyle lonely. As larger numbers of women were recruited, hostels were set up to house land girls. By 1944, there were 22,000 land girls living in 700 hostels. The WLA’s uniform consisted of a green woollen V-neck pullover and green fabric necktie bearing the letters ‘WLA’. There were strict rules about how it should be worn. An example is currently on display in the Second World War Galleries at IWM London.  By 1944, around one quarter of all land girls were employed in dairy work. Others were employed in anti-vermin squads. Pests such as rats posed a threat to food supplies. Two land girls are reputed to have killed 12,000 rats in just one year. WLA anti-vermin squads were also trained to kill foxes, rabbits and moles. Land girls were paid directly by the farmers who employed them. The minimum wage was 28 shillings per week. 14 shillings were deducted for board and lodging. The average wage for male agricultural workers at the time was 38 shillings per week. The basic working week for land girls was 48 hours in winter and 50 in summer. Initially there were no holidays, just a free travel pass after six months. Conditions did improve after the introduction of the 'Land Girls Charter' in 1943. The charter introduced one week's holiday a year and raised the minimum wage. (continues below) Dambusters 80th Anniversary Events IWM Duxford IWM In Conversation: Dambusters 13 May 2023 Immerse yourself in the Dambusters legend. Join us for a full day of talks, Q&As and book signings to mark the 80th anniversary of the famous 1943 bombing raid. Selling fast!   Book Now Dambusters 80th Anniversary Tour Daily, 13 to 19 May 2023 Explore the history behind Operation Chastise. Experience a special tour and an opportunity to climb onboard Duxford's very own Avro Lancaster. New dates added.   Book Now Duxford Presents: The Dam Busters (1955) 16 May 2023 An after-hours screening of the 1955 classic The Dam Busters.  Watch the film 80 years to the day since the raid itself and enjoy a special tour exploring the true story behind it.     Book Now Duxford Presents: Attack On Sorpe Dam (2023) 20 May 2023 Discover a lesser known part of the Dambusters story.  Enjoy a documentary and 'making of' feature narrated by Dambusters veteran 'Johnny' Johnson, plus a talk by the filmmakers.    Book Now While most land girls carried out general farm work, some were engaged in more specialist horticultural tasks. Until 1943, some were employed in private country houses to help maintain extensive kitchen gardens.  The famous botanic gardens at Kew in Surrey also employed land girls. Photographs from the time show camomile being harvested. This was planted at the request of the Ministry of Home Security for use as a quick-growing, wiry camouflage for new airfields. As part of the drive to produce extra food, the Government needed more land for food production. In East Anglia, thousands of acres of fenland were drained to be made suitable for farming. Heavy machinery such as excavators and tractors, often operated by land girls, were needed to carry out this work. The WLA also had a specialist forestry branch with around 6,000 workers. The Women's Timber Corps helped source and prepare wood which was needed for pit props and telegraph poles. Known as 'Lumber Jills', they undertook jobs such as selecting trees for felling, sawing timber and burning brushwood.  But land girls were not the only additional work force available to farmers. The general public were also encouraged to help out with farm work, especially at harvest time. This was seen as a cheap way of taking a holiday in the countryside, with special camps were set up to accommodate volunteers.   Duxford Summer Air Show Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June 2023   Experience the sights and sounds as pure adrenaline-filled action returns! Celebrate 120 years of flight, make memories together and inspire the next generation of pilots, air crew and aviation pioneers.     Children go free in 2023 with adult standard ticket purchases.  Book Tickets