Description:During WW II many women joined the armed forces in non-combatant roles, that is they did not see actual fighting.
Some women went into the Royal Air Force or the Royal Navy. Some women chose to be in the Women’s Land Army.
They were given a uniform of moleskin breeches, a green pullover, shirt and tie.
They played a valuable role in agriculture, doing much of the heavy farm work whilst the men who would normally have been employed were in the armed forces.
Many women came from large towns and had never experienced farm work at all.
Remembering life in the Land Army
Joyce remembers life as a Land Army girl:
"I was a farmer's daughter and had to go into the Land Army. I did this for three years. I once went to a Land Army efforts-in for a walk through London.
"They asked my father if I could work for him. I was lucky. My hubby was in Egypt. People would be moved from their job in industry to a place where you could serve the war effort.
"It was sometimes tough. There was welfare benefits for someone looking after a child. You had to do it out of the goodness of your heart. People felt that it was duty rather than charity.
"You got paid in the Land Army. Wages were very poor. Farm working wages were shocking. You got some farm produce as part of your wages.
"They also paid for your accommodation. The produce was cheaper than buying from the shop. I had a nurse who delivered a baby for me. My father gave her a leg of pork.
"If you delivered milk you would get a present, rabbit or pheasants etcetera. People were more generous than they are today, I think."
About this photograph
This photograph is now among the collections at Stoke-on-Trent Museums.