Time to salute the Land Girls

7:20pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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WHILE British men were fighting and dying on foreign soil during the Second World War, tens of thousands of young women took to the land to keep the nation fed and the economy alive.

Yesterday, 50 former Land Army members, known as Land Girls, represented their former colleagues at a ceremony at Downing Street in recognition of their efforts.

After the event Pat Goodwin, 88, of North Yorkshire, said: “I can’t believe it, it’s a dream. Everything has been so perfect. I broke down briefly earlier. All my friends are so happy for me.”

At the end of last year it was announced a new medal would be struck to commemorate their efforts, but while 30,000 have applied for the medal many former Land Girls have not.

Edith Johnson, of Hessay, is one of those who have not, but a friend of hers, Dorothy Savage, believes her contribution to the country during its darkest hour should be recognised.

Mrs Savage, of Sherwood Grove, in Acomb, York, said: “She is one of many who put their backs into working the land during the war and she stuck with it right up until she retired. I do think it warrants recognition.”

Miss Johnson, 91, was born in Hessay and still lives there today. Up until a few years ago she had played the church organ for about 70 years.

She told The Press that she was drafted in to work at the former Challis’s Garden Centre in Poppleton, which is now Wyevale, turning land which had been used for growing flowers into vegetable plots and orchards.

She said: “I was 23 when war broke out. I can’t remember how I got into the Land Army, but I did. I used to do a bit of everything – digging, planting the fruit trees, harvesting. I enjoyed it. It was hard as there was no machinery then, but I enjoyed it.”

Miss Johnson enjoyed it so much that she remained at Challis’s after the war until she retired. She agrees the women who “did their bit” during the war should be recognised.

She said: “It’s nice to be remembered although we did not expect it.”

At its peak in 1943 there were 80,000 Land Girls working on the land from dawn till dusk.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “The Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps worked tirelessly in the war years to keep this country going by providing food and supplies, and timber for the war effort.

“Their work was absolutely vital, and it is right that we thank them now for their dedication in the service of their country.”

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “This nation owes a huge debt of gratitude to the Land Girls. During the dark days of the war they provided food for the nation and their contribution was as important as that of everyone who served.”