The Land Girls

Do you remember: Land Girls

14 April 2020

10:52

 

Do you remember the Women Land Army?

Some directed to work on the farms

Others were volunteers

 

They came from all walks of life to work on the farms

Feeding chickens, driving tractors, milking cows (often by hand)

The light work

The heavy work

The mucky work

 

The men away fighting in the armed forces

 

Growing and harvesting the crops

To feed the people

Left at home

 

High heeled shoes replaced with work boots

Posh frocks to heavy trousers

Manicured nails, clipped and varnish gone

Painted face; now windblown and sun tanned

Oh! how their lives did change

 

Late nights gallivanting in dance halls and clubs

Rise in time for lunch

Now rise with the sun

Work until dark

Sleep as her head touches the pillow

 

They kept food on the tables

Took on their new role

As the providers; not users

Accepted country living

In all its ways

 

Wild Rose

April 2020

Reviews

[JessyJacob]

Hi,
I like how women worked of my grand mother generation, both sides of grand parents, really worked so much, they doesnt know photosynthesis, but they know how to make plant grow in the field, i still struggle to plant few seeds, i always scare that will grow or not. My mother is so much found of plants in her small garden in balcony, though she didnt studied plant science but whatever she plants it would grow very nicely, its her hand and way of planting, i still struggle to learn. i put more water thinking they need more.
I liked the women's land army, i love to be part of it, even now in my retirement and with my ancient man Aryan, who just blows breeze of wind sitting beside me with his cane and i help him and he help me to walk together, its just a dream I am dreaming about, i know if we wish, my stars of our families would fulfill and God definitely, i ask him and he will do....

Jessy Jacob.

[Davidgeo]

You should have sex with more white dudes.

[JessyJacob]

Sorry(in high pitch) what sir, i am already in love and husband relationship with my white and brown skin body of him.. I think you are jealous with your white skin, i dont like white skin, so he turned his half skin to brown for me, he looks more handsome with shades or without too.

Jessy Jacob.

[Davidgeo]

No Jessy, I am not jealous. I'm just trying to recommend adventure to you.

[Davidgeo]

Having sex with brown chicks was... a life changing experience for me to say the least. I'm just trying to pass on what I have learned... interracial sex is awesome.

[JessyJacob]

I have kids, i will send with you to have more adventure, i am fine in kitchen and home playing with my vessels and sofas cleaning and shining but all time free for my motherinlaw, and i would glad to see your adventurous pics...

thank you,

[JessyJacob]

sometimes i feel you are in a way playing sarcasm with my words, i have my jadu, i mean broom to play along with my husband making you bend and i hit you on back so i dont see crying you, and husband will hit too

[Davidgeo]

Oh Jessy. You crack me up.

[JessyJacob]

I know to make to this point in life, a great sojourn and voyage different places it took and I am okay to get cracked up like pop corn, with little sarcasm....

[Davidgeo]

Not everything I say is sarcastic toward you. I am your friend Jessy. You are not good at making emotional boundaries sometimes so it kinda leads you into distortion. You must learn how to make your mind a walled garden.

[JessyJacob]

I do agree, it had hit you hardly, but i am very sensitive so i build walls, not anyone to tresspass, it takes few hearts to break too, and i did hurt amny at the end it is true love that sustains, sarcasm with blame it hurts and overall blood relations made in family keeps safe so I tried that boundary to keep people safe and not to fall in pit keep on digging, and i owe lot ot my husband and my son, at the end they took care of me and few also did cared and helped...

[Davidgeo]

Our cultures are fundamentally different, I wish I could give you real advice. Human to human though, take care of yourself. This place is full of animals no matter where we live.

[Chris]

I've seen the documentaries and several series along the way where they were used and referenced...

[Neville]

I am led to believe this is exactly as it was back in the day .. A smashing bit of nostalgia sir .. thoroughly enjoyed .. Neville

[CourtneyAlice96]

You captured the imagery of that time peroid beautifully. To think of how drastically their lives changed from being house wives to farmers, mechanics and so much more. Those women of that gerneation were so strong and reseilant. Wonderful Poem.

[RomaJ]

​This is a vital and moving tribute to the Women's Land Army, successfully capturing the quiet strength of their contribution. The poem uses sharp, effective contrast, detailing the massive shift from "high heeled shoes" to "work boots" and late nights to dawn work. By listing the "mucky work," you beautifully cement their dignified legacy as "the providers; not users.

[petec3638]

Thank you Roma for your review
The poem only scratched the head of the ladies contribution
The worked in sheds Both WWi and WWII in Gretna (Green) packing shells with 'Devils Porridge' (explosives > Same in the village pub where we used to live
I worked in a Chemical factory which was kept working with female process workers
During the Battle for Britain (so the story goes)the female 'Spitfire builders' at Brough aircraft factory disobeyed orders and worked through an heavy raid. We are building arms for our boys
Female bus drivers. railway staff > You name it. there were ladies involved

[Samuel Dickens]

Wasn't there a tv series about these women? I watch so many shows about little British villages during wartime, (and other times) that I can't recall. Shame on history for not giving women more credit for their heroic actions. Didn't some have trouble returning to the kitchen when the men came home? I certainly wouldn't blame them.

[petec3638]

Yes do believe there was
But it wasn't just farm work
They also worked in aircraft factories
I seem to remember that during a raid on/nearby the factory > The girls refusing to go to the shelter _ Our boys are out there fighting . We are making their tools.

When I started work in a chemical factory (1950 ish
There were men and ladies still working (War trainees some called them

[petec3638]

Thank your some of my wife's relations woked on the land > Ma in law worked in a shed behind an Inn - filling shells with 'Devils Porridge' (dynamite)

My aunt was sent to work in a laundry washing soldiers clothing - and putting 'illicit' love letters in their pockets

[LisaCarol]

I wasn’t aware of the Women’s Land Army. I’m a big history buff, especially about WWII, so will research and learn more. Thank you for sharing your writing.

[ETERNITY]

Wow! I always learn more new stuff from reading you! No. I don't remember The Land Girls. But check this out! My Aunt Bee (yep, I had one) gave my sister and me all those chores to do when our parents sent us to her house as punishment!
Maybe she was teaching us from HER experience. She passed a few years ago so I can't ask her. What a shame.
Love this from you Peter Charlesworth

[Davidgeo]

are you the same person you are always talking about?

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Pete
unfortunately I don’t remember the Women’s Land Army….. they certainly earned their keep… and helped preserve and feed while the men were at war…you present a very informative piece. i enjoyed reading it ….
Warmly, B🌷🌷🌷

[petec3638]

It is from a group I have yet to post > 'Do You Remember?'

I am a bit older and sat in cellar the steps during air raids

[Betty Hermelee]

Wow, I don't remember the air raids!!!

[petec3638]

Well I was three when dad was called up and nine when we cheared them dropping the atomic bomb

Our dads were coming home
sounds awful & nasty cheering a whole town being obliterated with one bomb - we only looked at dads aer coming home

[Orphic Dreamer]

This is beautiful. I never knew...

[petec3638]

Yes ladies took over lots of jobs Engineering - assembling aircraft Spitfires . Lancaster's
I got a job in a chemical factory > they mand explosives