Ethel Truelove (née Day)

General Information

Ethel Day in her WLA uniform, probably upon enrolment in June 1943, aged 17.

First Name(s): Ethel

Unmarried Surname: Day

Married Surname: Truelove

Date of Birth: 15.10.1925

Place of Birth: Leeds, Yorkshire

Date joined WLA: June 1943

Date left: Believed to be 1945

Previous occupation: Cryer’s, Leeds making overalls, then shell bags

Reasons for joining: To help war effort, adventure, leave home.

Reasons for leaving: End of the war.

Employment

Worked on a farm with other WLA girls in Williton, Stogumber area, in Somerset. Worked with Kathleen Webber (née Helliwell)

Opportunities to meet others: Yes, locally.

This shows a group photo in either 1943 or 44 (possibly passing out?) of 19 girls and I assume 2 'leaders'. Ethel Day is front row, 2nd from the right. I assume this was taken in the Williton, Somerset area.
This shows a group photo in either 1943 or 44 (possibly passing out?) of 19 girls and probably 2 ‘leaders’. Ethel Day is front row, 2nd from the right. It is assumed this was taken in the Williton, Somerset area.

Accommodation

Springfield Maltings, Stogumber, Somerset. (Believed to be accommodation hostel.)

Life after the war

What was their occupation after the war? Worked as caterer at Butlins, Filey then Skegness.

Did they stay on the land? No.

How did work in the WLA affect their life? After marriage, Ethel and family moved to live in Somerset.

Any outstanding events or achievements in WLA or in later life? Raised (with husband Colin) a happy family of three children.

Contributor Information

Name: Mike Truelove

Relationship to Land Girl: Son

An article reporting on a reunion between Ethel and her friend and former Land Girl, Kathleen Webber, published by the West Somerset Free Press on 20th October 2006.

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