‘Don’t Delay – Enrol Today’: The Women’s Land Army in Hampshire by John K. Lander
In the first blog for 2026, John Lander explores the crucial role played by Hampshire Land Girls who are the subject of his new book, ‘Don’t Delay – Enrol Today’: The Women’s Land Army in Hampshire.
Hugely valuable contributions made by Women’s Land Army members to the maintenance of adequate food supplies for the British population during both 20th century world wars was insufficiently recognised at the time, and for many years afterwards. Not until 2008 were commemorative badges awarded to surviving land girls, and it was October 2014 before a statue was unveiled at the National Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. As the Independent put it in January 2008, ‘…the 80,000 members of the Women’s Land Army (WLA) received scant official recognition. The government only begrudgingly paid them a £150 resettlement allowance after the Queen made clear her support for their cause.’
When the 2nd World War began in 1939, 60% of British food stuffs and other essential supplies, were imported, and the pattern of shipping trade was to be severely disrupted by enemy action. Additionally, with 100,000s of men having to leave their occupations on farms to join the armed forces, the need for replacement labour was quickly apparent and vital.
Hampshire played a major part in the selection, training and placement of land girls on farms. With a highly effective War Agricultural Executive Committee and dedicated local executive decision makers, it has been claimed that pro rata to its population, Hampshire recruited more land girls than any other English county. Land girls undertook hard, physical work, in all weathers, often a long way from their homes, received modest pay and little holiday entitlement.
Local historians have been keen to bring the crucial roles played by land girls to wider audiences, using the 75th anniversary of the demobilisation of the Women’s Land Army on 30 November 1950 as the focus of attention. “Don’t Delay – Enrol Today – The Women’s Land Army in Hampshire“, written by Dr John K Lander, and published by The History Press, charts the story of the Women’s Land Army in the county. It includes an appendix detailing the wide-ranging work of one Hampshire land girl, now aged 99, who was awarded an MBE in 2005 for her voluntary service as a land girl during the 2nd World War, and later. John Lander’s book, (£15.99, plus £2.70 postage), is available from him at jandplander@btinternet.com.
