Edith Mabel Williams, Wilkins (née Stapleton)

First Name(s): Edith Mabel

Unmarried Surname: Stapleton

Married Surname: Williams, 1918,  (husband passed away),  Wilkins  1923

Date of Birth: 27.12.1900

Place of birth: Portsmouth

Date joined: 1917

Employment: Worked for a private farmer in Hampshire and lived in a hostel.

Pre-war occupation: Maid.

After the war: Married in 1918 to a soldier and went to India with him.

Further information: Edith kept in touch with several friends she made on the farm.

Before the war she worked as a maid in a landed gentry house. She didn’t like it so when the opportunity arose she left and worked in the NAAFI. After that she joined the Land Army.

She used to socialise with the other girls and that is where she met my grandad.

Gran said she had a good time working on the farm and although the work could be hard at times she enjoyed it.

Locals always made them welcome.

These experiences I have written down have not been published or recorded before.

Working in the WLA during WW1 was an experience she spoke about often. With great fondness.

Unfortunately my aunts and uncles have all passed away so I cannot ask them about the stories they remember my Gran telling them.

Contributor Details

Name: June Vasey

Relationship to Land Girl: Granddaughter