The Land Army and Lumber Jills all helped to keep the country going during the darkest days of World War II
and while many of their brothers, fathers and husbands went off to fight,
the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps worked tirelessly on farms and in forests to support the war effort.

Their often dirty, unpleasant and back-breaking work meant that Britain was supplied with both food and timber,
avoiding shortages and keeping the nation fed. But, despite their vital contribution to the war effort,
the work carried out by the “Land Girls” and “Lumber Jills” has often been overlooked.

Earlier in the year, more than 60 years after the end of the war,
50 ex-Land Girls from across the country were presented with badges of honour for their war service.

They were invited to represent their former colleagues at a Downing Street ceremony,
where they met Prime Minister Gordon Brown and were presented with the badges of honour
by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

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