In 1939, when the Second World War was looming, the British government recognized that the country should grow its own food to avoid being reliant on imports. However, there was a shortage of agricultural workers in the countryside. For decades, young men had been leaving for more profitable work in factories. Then, with many men leaving to join the armed forces, there was a desperate need for labor.

Therefore, on June 1st 1939, the Women’s Land Army was set up by the government. The WLA was expected to replace men in the fields, forest, and livestock sheds for the duration of the war. Unfortunately, the farming community treated the whole idea with suspicion and scorn. Working in the countryside was considered no place for a decent young woman. Furthermore, city girls would simply not be up to the job.

Nonetheless, glamorous posters were issued advertising a wonderfully healthy way of life in the country, and the recruitment process got underway. Thousands of girls were interviewed to see if they were suitable, but in reality, it wasn't hard to get into the WLA. The minimum age was 17, but many young women lied about their age, desperate to escape city poverty. All 'Land Girls' were given cursory medical, before being issued with work clothes for the fields. They were also given a heavy, uncomfortable brown 'uniform' that they were to wear while 'off-duty'. They were to ear just 26 shillings a week, far less than their male counterparts

By the end of the war, the 100,000 WLA volunteers had carried out their duties with such dedication, skill, and enthusiasm, that the farmers were the first to complain when the organization was eventually disbanded in 1950. The role of women in the countryside and everywhere else was changed forever.