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Land girls meet the queen

News release

Ref: 239/09
Date: 20 October 2009

On Wednesday 21 October ninety former Land Girls and Lumber Jills will travel to London to attend a special event hosted by The Queen.  The members of the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps will attend a lunch at the Royal Opera House - hosted by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn - before visiting Buckingham Palace where The Queen will host tea for the veterans to celebrate their achievements.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:

“I’m delighted to welcome the Land Girls and Lumber Jills to London as representatives of the thousands of women who provided food and timber for the nation during World War I and II. 

“Over 34,000 members of the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps have now received a commemorative badge which recognises their service and acknowledges the debt that we owe them.  This will be a fitting tribute to their great efforts when our country was at war.”

Over the last year events have been held around the country to celebrate the work of the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps.  These have ranged from church and cathedral services to afternoon tea and have been organised by local councils and The Queen’s representatives (Lord Lieutenants) in each region.

The Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps were disbanded fifty nine years ago on the 21 October 1950.

Notes to editors

  1. The Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps, also known as the Land Girls and Lumber Jills, worked on farms and timber mills to feed the nation and provide timber as the male workers went to war.
  2. At its peak in 1943 there were some 80,000 women working on the land, and 4,000 women in the Timber Corps.  The Land Army was continued after the war, finally being disbanded in 1950.
  3. Land Girls wore uniforms of green ties and jumpers and brown felt slouch hats and worked from dawn to dusk each day, milking cows, digging ditches, sowing seeds and harvesting crops and providing timber. They supplied the nation with food, supporting the war effort and avoiding food shortages.
  4. The Women’s Timber Corps was part of the Women’s Land Army and played a vital role in providing timber for essential industries, such as mining and aircraft manufacture.
  5. Commemorative badges were presented to 50 women by the Prime Minister at No 10 on 23 July 2008.  The remaining women were sent their badge and certificates by post.
  6. Forms are still available for those who have yet to apply.  They can get a form by calling the Defra helpline 08459 33 55 77 or by writing to Women's Land Army Team, Defra, Area 6c, Nobel House,17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR.
  7. Journalists interested in speaking to a Land Girl or Lumber Jill from their region should contact Sarah Saxton in Defra Press Office 020 7238 5456.

End

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Page published: 20 October 2009