Ann Coffey Calling all Land Girls

During the dark days of the Second World War, thousands of women went to work on farms to provide food and timber for the nation. These were the Land Girls, members of the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps.

Following the government’s announcement of a new badge to honour the Women’s Land Army, Stockport MP Ann Coffey has pledged to help any of her constituents who served as Land Girls to receive their badges.

Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, has today announced that application forms are available for anyone who believes they may be eligible. Applicants will need to supply their date of birth, approximate dates of service in the Women’s Land Army or Women’s Timber Corps, and the place they were stationed.

At its peak in 1943, there were about 80,000 women working on the land, supplying the nation with food and supporting the war effort. The Women’s Land Army was continued after the war, finally being disbanded in 1950.  Because it was a civilian organisation, members of the Women’s Land Army were not entitled to a medal, but veteran Land Girls have been campaigning for many years for recognition of the vital work they carried out.

Ann Coffey said:  “I am delighted that the government has decided to honour the tremendous efforts of the Women’s Land Army with this specially designed badge.  The Land Girls showed amazing determination and spirit.  They worked incredibly hard to support our country – ploughing, harvesting crops, planting trees and looking after animals.  For a lot of these girls, it was the first time they had ever been on a farm, let alone worked on one.”

For further details about how you can nominate someone you know for the badge, or apply for one yourself,  please phone Ann Coffey’s local Stockport office on 0161 483 2600.