NICK WELCOMES LAND GIRLS RECOGNITION
January 29, 2008 10:40 AM
I was delighted by Defra's announcement that a veterans badge is to be issued to members of the Women's Land Army (WLA) and the Women's Timber Corps (WTC) to honour their role supporting the Home Front during WW2.
At its peak 80,000 women served the WLA and another 6,000 in the WTC breaking the mold of social convention by doing many jobs traditionally carried out by men.
This is the first official recognition of their contribution, although a medal was issued to Isle of Man WLA in 2006 and the following year a life size bronze sculpture of a 'Lumberjill' was unveiled in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park near Aberfoyle. Here in North Devon I understand that the Cobbaton Combat Collection honours their exploits in its special Home Front exhibition.
Over the decades the WLA and WTC suffered the same fate as the Bevin Boys, who worked down the mines, in that they were denied official thanks for their war efforts. It is hoped that the Bevin Boys will be similarly honoured this year.
The application form for the WLA/WTC badge is available on the Defra website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/working/wla/
Requests for application forms can also be made by post or telephone to:
Mr Dermot McInerney
Defra
5E Millbank
c/o 17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Tel: 08459 33 55 77
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