Monthly talk: Rebekah Pearson – Women’s Land Army
Our guest speaker in April was Rebekah Pearson who has been researching the fascinating history of the Women’s Land Army which did so much in both the First and Second World Wars to ensure that the nation had sufficient food to withstand attacks on shipping from submarines. After a career in the Royal Navy, Rebekah became interested in the Land Army when she came across various items of clothing with the Land Army insignia on it and wanted to learn more, and especially about its history in Devon. Her research has been conducted from interviews with surviving women who served, as well as a host of letters and photographs and other documents. The subject has not been well researched previously but Rebekah is now putting that to rights.
Most people associate the Land Army with the Second World War, but it was in fact created in April 1917 when Britain faced the prospect of running out of food in about three weeks. It was first led by Dame Meriel Talbot who, with impressive energy, established this army of women to work on farms to replace the workforce of men who were serving in the armed forces. All the women were volunteers, motivated by a mix of patriotism, a desire to leave home and a sense of adventure. They had to pledge to stay in the Land Army for as long as they were needed, to have eight hours sleep a night, to wear the uniform, not be seen with their hands in their pockets – and never to go to a pub!
Not all farmers in Devon were keen to have these women working on their farms as they doubted their strength and stamina, and they obviously initially lacked skills and experience. Many did not want to pay them the same as their other workers, who by that time were either older men or young boys. The women proved them wrong, partly by the example of the huge success of Bidlake Farm, set up with an entirely female work force and which proved to be the most productive farm in the county.
The Second World War incarnation of the Land Army was led by Gertrude Denman who also founded the WI. She was a formidable organiser and leader, ensuring that each county had its own committees to organise the work, that volunteers were properly trained, had uniforms, and recruitment was effective.
Women could volunteer from the age of 17 and a half, younger than the other services. They came from all walks of life, and most would have had no experience of life in the countryside or farm work. They were assessed for suitability but the criteria became less demanding as the war progressed and the demand for labour grew more urgent. As volunteers they could leave at any time, and a few did, but the vast majority were highly committed and served for an extended period. They wore different arm bands to indicate length of service, the longest of which was for eight or more years.
Rebekah has gathered a collection of items of uniform, much of which reflected the different types of work undertaken. Volunteers could undertake training and take exams, so many learned new skills such as driving tractors and working with machinery. They were paid 28s per week, half of which went for board and lodging. Some would be sent individually to a farm and live there, while others might be in a hostel and sent out in groups to different farms as required. The work was undoubtedly demanding, and there was almost no free time throughout the year, although some farms might allow a half day off each week. There was a social and recreational side to life, and it is clear that many of the volunteers enjoyed these new opportunities.
Judging by the archive of letters Rebekah is accumulating, most women embraced the life and found it rewarding, not least because they were contributing in important ways to the war effort. They also relished the contrast with their lives in the towns and cities, and preferred it to factory work. There was also the taste of freedom from domestic life.
Rebekah showed us photographs, many of which were produced for propaganda and recruiting purposes. There were pictures of healthy, happy, smiling young women, working enthusiastically and enjoying the social side of Land Army life. While it could not have been like that for all the women, the letters and reminiscences do give a largely positive picture of the experience.
The need for the Land Army continued after the war ended as food shortages continued, demobilisation took time, and the armed forces were still required in conflict areas around the world such as Palestine and India, as well as in Europe. By the time the Land Army was disbanded in 1950, over 250,000 women had served. Unlike the armed services, they did not receive medals or other recognition of their service until 2007 when Gordon Brown’s government awarded medals and certificates to surviving women. The nation is belatedly paying the tribute these women deserve, including with a memorial at the National Arboretum and elsewhere.
As often happens when she speaks to other groups, a number of members told Rebekah about their own family’s experience. Rebekah has promised to visit the 100 year old mother of one of our members in her home in Dawlish, and she also recorded names and other information of other family members who served. The job of research is continuing in Devon, and in many other counties across the country. Rebekah hopes to write a book about the Devon Land Army, and it is sure to be well worth reading when it is published. First, she has to write it!
John Vick