Alice Adelaide Singer (née Bryant)
General Information
First Name(s): Alice Adelaide
Unmarried Surname: Bryant
Married Surname: Singer
Date of Birth: 28.12.1921
Date of Death: 12.06.2000
Place of Birth: Islington, North London
Date joined WLA: March 1943
Date left WLA: 1945
Previous occupation: Technical clerk at GlaxoSmithKline.
Reasons for joining: The desire to join the war effort.
Family’s reaction to joining: Her family welcomed my mother joining the WLA.
Reactions of local people towards WLA: Generally good, although there was a degree of sexism: women doing ‘men’s work’.
Treatment by farmer or market gardeners: Again, generally good. The farmers were grateful for the WLA workforce.
Reasons for leaving: My mother was discharged on health grounds. She had developed fibrositis due to working in wet and cold conditions on the farm.
Employment
Type of work undertaken: Hedging and ditching, hay-making, harvesting and rat-catching.
Work liked most and least: She enjoyed the hay-making and harvesting. She did not enjoy rat-catching.
How did work in the WLA effect their life? My mother enjoyed the agricultural work, the team work and making some life-long friends.
Best and worst memories: Best memories: working in the countryside, the team spirit and camaraderie Worst memories: the fear of bombing raids.
Opportunities to meet other Land Girls: The dances that were held locally.
Accommodation
The Watton-at-Stone hostel, Hertfordshire.
There was a Jean but I cannot recall her surname.
Life after the war
My mother returned to her post as technical clerk at the pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline.
How did work in the WLA / WTC effect your/ their life? Enjoyed working with livestock and in particular horses.
Contributor Information
Name: Margaret Elizabeth Giordmaine
Relationship to Land Girl: Daughter
