Land Girl dungarees with real pockets, top and head scarf

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Although the Women’s Land Army is often associated with the Second World War, it was first formed in 1917 by the Board of Agriculture, and then disbanded until June 1939. The government initially asked for volunteers, but later moved to conscripting women. The Land Army was to be disbanded for the final time in 1950. Women’s Land Army girls practicing milking. Catalogue ref: MAF 59/154 The WLA had originally been set up in 1917 but disbanded at the end of the First World War. It reformed in June 1939. Women were initially asked to volunteer to serve in the Land Army and, from December 1941, could also be conscripted into land work. At its peak in 1944, there were more than 80,000 women – often known as 'land girls' – in the WLA.

Theland girlof40s fashionput her own spin on her land army uniform, layering playful blouses infloral prints, Peter Pan collars and puffed sleeves under her overalls. Vintage stylein the 1940s focused on a narrow waist worn withfull skirtsthat were pleated, flared or gathered and fell below the knee, with belts emphasizing an hourglass figure. womenwore their shoulders puffed and padded to emphasize the hourglass look made famous byChristian Dior.

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Most women serving in the Land Army were believed to be young, single and childless, and this was certainly true of most. But a search of these records shows approximately 2,500 women who were listed as ‘housewives’ and a couple who were listed as having children. Some women have their married name and maiden name listed on a card. If a Land Army member married at the end of their service, then their married name would often also be added to the card. If you are looking for an individual, it is worth trying both their married and maiden name to ensure a thorough search of the records. World War II Women’s Land Army Index Card of Violette Beryl Clifford. Catalogue ref: MAF 421/1

This blog has explored just a little of the potential of these records. With these records now being more accessible, we should be able to learn much more about the everyday women who served in the Women’s Land Army.The Land Army was disbanded in 1950. Although the work was hard, conditions were often bad and the pay was low, many women enjoyed the experience, and formed lifelong friendships with fellow Land Girls. Build yourvintage inspiredcapsule collection based on your own fashion taste and style, so that the40s styletreasures you collect mesh seamlessly with your personal style persona. Sometimes these Land Girls expressed a preference for the type of work they would do, desiring to work particularly with the land, animals or machinery. For other women this type of work would have been entirely new to them. Despite the positive, jolly image of the Land Army we often see portrayed, the work itself was hard and often very physical.