The Women’s Land Army was established in January 1917 to help increase the amount of food grown within Britain. It was wound up in 1919 and then re-established shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War in June 1939. At first it asked for volunteers. This was supplemented by conscription and at its peak in 1944 over 80,000 women worked as Land Girls. They replaced the male farm workers who had gone to war and made agriculture their wartime profession to ensure that the nation didn’t starve. The index cards in the collection have the potential to include all, or some, of the following information: fashionalso saw the widespread adoption of the shirtdress. This40s ladies fashionstyle was available in many patterns and fabrics and with the40s fashionsilhouette of belted waist overfull skirts. When she was off duty,40s styleicon Rita Hayworth embodied androgynous40s fashionwith herhigh waistwide legged trousers worn over mannish button-down shirts, flat brogues and roguishly tilted berets. 40s Ladies FashionSilhouette

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. 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 Complete your Land Girl ensemble with thoughtful accessories. Practicality was always prioritised over fashion, but Land Girls found ways to add personal touches to their uniform. Headscarves were a common accessory as they helped to keep their hair out of the way while working. Consider donning a patterned vintage scarf to add a touch of personality to your look. Additionally, Land Girls would wear wide-brimmed hats for extra protection from the sun or rain. A vintage style basket bag would be the perfect way to carry your belongings. 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. Find the40s styleclothes and accessories in the shapes, prints, fabrics and styles that appeal to you, then wear them with all your current favourites for refreshed day-to-evening looks that never go out of style. The overalls are a small to medium size. They are designed to be worn over clothing allowing for plenty of free movement. When laid flat they measure - The Women's Land Army (WLA) made a significant contribution to boosting Britain's food production during the Second World War. The WLA came under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture, but its head was the formidable Lady Denman. Married to the former Governor General of Australia, Lady Denman was a leading figure in the Women's Institute movement, and also had a close interest in rural affairs. Her home, Balcombe Place in Sussex, became the WLA headquarters. Each district had its own WLA representative, who was expected to ensure the Land Girls were being treated well and were working effectively.

women also adopted the ultra-feminine shape of thetea dressinfloral printsand a fittedhigh waist, worn with wedge heels or oxfords.And mow – our Women on the Land.’ From the Women’s Land Army Handbook containing the Land Army Song. Catalogue ref: MAF 59/2 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.

ladies fashionalso saw the advent of the war time land girl in her brown twill overall, worn over a forest green sweater, her waist nipped in with a broad warm brown belt. womenwere expert dress makers themselves and excelled at reworking their existing wardrobes into au courant40s ladies fashiontrends. It was all about “make do and mend”!Sometimes these Land Girls expressed a preference for the type of work they would do, desiring to work particularly with the land, animals or machinery. For other women this type of work would have been entirely new to them. Despite the positive, jolly image of the Land Army we often see portrayed, the work itself was hard and often very physical. ladies fashionwould not be complete without the iconic hair styles of1940s women. Hair was worn long and curly, tied up during the day for practical work, then styled elaborately for evening events. 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.

Although the information on the cards is very brief – certainly more so than on a conventional service record – each of these small insights can start to build a picture of someone’s life and wartime service. Most women serving in the Land Army were believed to be young, single and childless, and this was certainly true of most. But a search of these records shows approximately 2,500 women who were listed as ‘housewives’ and a couple who were listed as having children. Some women have their married name and maiden name listed on a card. If a Land Army member married at the end of their service, then their married name would often also be added to the card. If you are looking for an individual, it is worth trying both their married and maiden name to ensure a thorough search of the records. World War II Women’s Land Army Index Card of Violette Beryl Clifford. Catalogue ref: MAF 421/1 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. Combine40s ladies fashionaccessories like sparkling costume jewellery, or avintage inspiredtrench coat with a belted waist ala40s style, with your favourite blue jeans and button-down white shirt. fashionranged from the glamour of the Hollywood pin-up starlet to the working wear of theland girl.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 250/103/2273C The Land Army was disbanded in 1950. Although the work was hard, conditions were often bad and the pay was low, many women enjoyed the experience, and formed lifelong friendships with fellow Land Girls.