Description
Object description
British land girl with Women's Land Army worked at Halliloo Farm, Woldingham, Middle Oak Farm, Farnham and Pryford, GB, 9/1940-4/1944
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1923-1939: family; contracting bovine tuberculosis in knee and medical treatment received; employment; reaction to Munich Crisis, 9/1938. Aspects of period as civilian in Cheam, GB, 9/1939-9/1940: reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 3/9/1939; story of apprehension by Home Guard during invasion scare in Ewell; need to carry identity card. Aspects of enlistment in Women's Land Army in GB, 9/1940: background to volunteering for Women's Land Army; interview and obtaining medical certificate. Recollections of period as land girl with Women's Land Army at Halliloo Farm, Woldingham, GB, 1940-1941: posting to Halliloo Farm; reaction to allocation to billet with Mrs Crumett at Bughill Cottages, uniform and kit; proximity to Royal Air Force airfields; attitude of Mrs Crumett towards her; living conditions in billet; first day on farm; learning to milk cows; arrival of second land girl; changing billet.
REEL 2 Continues: living conditions at Bughill Cottages; ablution facilities; relations with farmer's family; story of how she and two farm workers protested against sacking of land girl; degree of support received from Women's Land Army organisation; attitude towards German Air Force raids and fire watching duties; working routine; coping with disability; working with cows and bulls; social life revolving around pub in Warlingham. Recollections of period as land girl Women's Land Army with Middle Oak Farm in Farnham, GB, 1941-1942: move to farm; living conditions for farmer workers.
REEL 3 Continues: looking after cows alone for three months including cleaning out bull's enclosure; Canadian Army soldiers helping with harvest; learning to play piano accordion; relations with soldiers and farm workers; attitude towards bats. Aspects of period as land girl with Women's Land Army at Pryford in GB, 1942-1944: reasons for move to Pryford; problems with accommodation; abortive attempt to get into Women's Land Army hostel; move into cottage on farm; amusing story of giving extra food to bull; behaviour of Italian prisoners of war; marriage to soldier, 7/1943; continuing to work until seven months pregnant, 4/1944; arable work and attitude towards working on dairy farms. Reflections on service with Women's Land Army: question of choice of work in Women's Land Army; question of recognition for work of Women's Land Army.
REEL 4 Continues: story of how Women's Land Army Association hold their own parade at the Cenotaph in London each October; attitude towards book and film 'Land Girls' (1998); attitude towards service with Women's Land Army; question of payment for accommodation; attitude towards women's independence.