WW1 Land Girl Register

This page contains the beginnings only of a extremely limited, unofficial list of names of young women (therefore, mainly maiden names) who were First World War members of the first British Women’s Land Army. 

It is known that there were approximately 23,000 women who served at some point in the three years, 1917, 1918 & 1919.

There are no central records of these names but county record offices sometimes have documents relating to county Women’s War Agricultural Executive Committees where individuals are named when, for example, they are registered or attend training course.

This page is divided into the following sections, containing partial lists of Land Girls working in the First World War:

  • A general list populated from various sources
  • Land Girls in Bedfordshire
  • Land Girls in Essex

The names listed are ones for whom there is documentary evidence. Click here for more information about researching WW1 Land Girls.

This list is continually being added to from people sharing information about their family members or relatives and from information gained from local Archive offices.

If you would like to contribute information, please get in touch.

World War One Land Girls


Bedfordshire Land Girls

The following are just a few known (documented) names of young women who served full-time on farms in Bedfordshire and were members of the first Women’s Land Army [WLA]. It is known that around 550 so-called ‘land girls’ were employed in this county as paid volunteers for varying periods of time in the years 1917, 1918 and 1919.

The majority of the names below were derived from the ‘Results of Efficiency Tests’ [between 1917 & 1919] at Bedfordshire & Luton Archives and Records Service WW1/WA3/1. These tests showed relative skills as a ‘Cowman’, ‘Horseman’, Ploughman’ and ‘General Labourer’. Tests were later devised in ‘Thatching’.

SurnameFirst name/sTested at

 

(skill tested, if known)

Approx. datesFarm/village employed at
AdamsEllenBlunham House Dairy, Biggleswade(Milking)

 

8.4.1919

1919 
ArcherGladysLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Horsework)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
ArnoldDaisyLewsey Farm, Leagrave

 

(Horse work & Ploughing)

9/10.4.1919)

1919 
AshleyFlorrieLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Horsework)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
AttwoodBettyBiggleswade

 

(Milking)

11.6.1919

1919 
AttwoodLettieCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 19.2.1919[?]1919 
BakerHelenSpeedwell Farm, Woburn (Milking)

 

7.4.1919

1919 
BakerELuton Hoo

 

[WLA hostel]

(Horse work)

29.8.1918

Cooters End Training Centre (Horsework) 19.2.1919

1918

 

1919

 
BarbaryMinnieBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918Mr. Ben Howkins
BarnettChrissieCooters End training Centre (Milking) 19.2.1919[?]? 
BattleburyLLuton Hoo Home Farm or Children’s Home Farm (Milking)

 

19.10.18

1918 
BattleburyMLuton Hoo Home Farm or Children’s Home Farm (Milking) 19.10.181918 
BeckRLuton Hoo Home Farm (Milking) 19.10.181918 
BirminghamEllaCooters End training Centre (Milking) 19.2.1919[?]? 
BradfordEllenChildren’s Home, Harpenden

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

1919 
BrookesFCooters End training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
BrookesFlossieLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

19.2.1919

1919 
BrownAnnie c1916Hinwick
BuckinghamELuton Hoo Training Centre (Elementary Horsework & Ploughing)

 

19.10.1918

1918 
CastigueBlancheCooters End training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
ChampkinsEthelChildren’s Home, Harpenden

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

9/10.4.1919

1919 
ChanceGraceCooters End Training Centre (Horsework) 29.8.19181918 
ChandlerWinifredWootton

 

(Horsework)

10/11.4.1919

1919 
ChieslakSophieLewsey Farm,  Leagrave

 

(Horsework & advanced ploughing)

9/10.4.1919

1919 
ClarkeHildaBiddenham

 

(Milking)

10/11.4.1919

1919 
CobbAdaBiddenham

 

(Mkilking)

10/1.4.1919

1919 
CokerElsieChildren’s Home, Harpenden

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

9/10.4.1919

1919 
ColeDaisyLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Horsework)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
ColemanCissieBlunham House Dairy, Biggleswade (Milking)

 

8.4.1919

1919 
ConwayECooters End training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
ConwayElizabethLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

19.2.1919

1919 
CorbyHelenWootton

 

(Horsework & Advanced Ploughing) & Lewsey Farm, Leagrave (Milking)/10.4.1919

1919 
CousinsMabelKnotting

 

(Horse work)

9//10.4.1919

1919Mr. Campion’s farm, Sharnbrook
DearleMargaretLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Horsework)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
DearmanJessieSpeedwell Farm, Woburn (Milking)

 

7.4.1919

1919 
EgdellAliceLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Horsework)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
EsworthyFrancesCooters End training Centre (Milking) 10.5.1919[?]? 
FearonWinifredBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918Sir Philip Payne
GardnerBarbaraSouldrop

 

(Milking)

10/11.4.1919

1919 
GarrettEmilyLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
GibsonALuton Hoo Training Centre (Ploughing) 19.10.181918 
GodeanusMaryCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
GodfreyLeahLuton Hoo

 

[WLA hostel]

(Horse work) 29.8.1918

1918 
GraftonHildaAlfred Inskip’s farm, Clifton (Horsework)

 

23.4.1918

1918 
GrantEthelFelmersham1919 
GrantFlorenceFelmersham (Milking)

 

10/11.4.1919

1919 
GrantRoseLuton Hoo

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

29.8.1918

1918 
HancockEllenBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918Mr. Ben Howkins
HandicottEdithSpeedwell Farm, Woburn (Milking)

 

7.4.1919

1919 
HartopFlorenceBiggleswade

 

(Milking)

11.6.1919

1919 
HiggsFlorenceLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
HodgeLCooters End training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
HodgeLLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

19.2.1919

1919 
HullKathleen c1914Bridge Farm, Great Barford
HullMay c1916Great Barford
HydeAnnieBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918Speedwell Farm, Woburn
IrelandMLuton Hoo Home Farm or Children’s Home Farm (Milking) 19.10.19181918 
KeenLLuton Hoo

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

29.8.1918

1918 
KingJessieBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918Mr. Howes, Marston
KingLilyCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 29.8.19181918 
LaneEthelBlunham House Dairy, Biggleswade (Milking)

 

8.4.1919

1919 
LloydHazelChildren’s Home, Harpenden

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

9/10.4.1919

1919 
LongRoseLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Horsework)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
LunnEdithChildren’s Home, Harpenden

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

9/10.4.1919

1919 
MarshallEdithBlunham House Dairy, Biggleswade (Milking) Green End, Great Barford (Horsework) 8.4.19191919 
MauldenMabelLewsey House, Leagrave (Horsework & Ploughing)1919 
MaymonFrancisCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
MillerCarolineSpeedwell Farm, Woburn (Milking),

 

7.4.1919

1919 
MitchellEdithCooters End Training Centre (Horsework)

 

29.8.1918

1918 
MoorcroftKathleenLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

19.2.1919

1919 
MorcroftECooters End training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
MoulderMabelLeagrave

 

(Horse work)

? 
NealeEthelBlunham House Dairy, Biggleswade (Milking)

 

8.4.1919

1919 
PageGertrudeMiddle Farm, Souldrop

 

(Milking)

10/11.4.1919

1919Mr Lloyd’s Middle Farm, Souldrop
PamphleteMLuton Hoo Home Farm or Children’s Home Farm (Ploughing) 19.10.181918 
ParrattVLuton Hoo Home Farm (Milking) 19.10.181918 
PartridgeCarrie c1916Town Farm, Riseley
PollardEvaFelmersham

 

(Milking) 10/11.4.1919

1919 
PorterAliceLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
PorterEdithLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
PrigmoreGladysHerbert Inskip’s Farm, Stanford

 

(Hortsework)

23.4.1918

1918 
ReadeTamarChildren’s Home, Harpenden

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

9/10.4.1919

1919 
RobinsonFlorenceBlunham House Dairy, Biggleswade(Milking)

 

8.4.1919

1919 
odgersDCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
RogersDorothyLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

19.2.1919

1919 
Russell? (Mrs)Home Farm, Southill Estate (Milking)

 

8.9.1919

1919 
SalterLSpeedwell Farm, Woburn (Milking)

 

7.4.1919

1919 
ScobyEthelSpeedwell Farm, Woburn (Milking)

 

7.4.1919

1919 
ScottEthelBiddenham

 

(Milking)

10/11.4.1919

1919 
SelwayMHome Farm, Southill Estate (Milking) 8.9.1919  
SelwayMargaretBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918Mr. Ibbott, Oakley
SheltonWinifredBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918Major Deans, Goldington
SkinnerEmma, MrsBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918 
SkinnerEmmaBox End Farm, Kempston (Milking)

 

23.4.1918

1918Speedwell Farm, Woburn
SmithEva c1916Great Brickhill
SmithAmyFelmersham? 
SookyEthelHome Farm, Southill Estate (Milking)

 

8.9.1919

1919 
StokesNellieBiggleswade

 

(Milking)

11.6.1919

1919 
StoneR. EthelAlfred Inskip’s farm, Clifton (Horsework)

 

23.4.1918

1918 
SummerMCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 
SummerfordNorahBlunham House Dairy, Biggleswade(Milking)

 

& Green End, Great Barford (Horsework) 8.4.1919

1919 
SunterAmyFelmersham or Middle Farm, Souldrop

 

(Milking)

10/11 April 1919

1919 
SumnerMHome Farm, Southill Estate (Milking)

 

8.9.1919

  
SumnerMabelLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

19.2.1919

1919 
TalbotAgnesHerbert Inskip’s Farm, Stanford

 

(Horsework)

23.4.1918

1918 
ThorntonSybilGreen End, Great Barford (Horse work)

 

8.4.1919

1919Mr Pedley’s Green End Farm, Great Barford
TitchenerJLuton Hoo Training Centre (Ploughing) 19.10.181918 
TizardRLuton Hoo

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

29.8.1918

1918 
TizardRoseCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 29.8.19181918 
TraffordLilianLuton Hoo Training  Centre (Milking)

 

20.12.1918

1918 
TrevellionDLuton Hoo

 

[WLA hostel]

(Horse work)

29.8.1918

1918 
TrevelyanDorisCooters End Training Centre (Horsework) 19.2.19191919 
WattsKateWootton

 

(Horsework)

10/11.4.1919

1919 
WebbMCooters End Training Centre (Horsework) 19.2.19191919 
WheatleyMabelBiddenham

 

(Milking)

10/11.4.1919

1919 
WickenELuton Hoo

 

[WLA hostel]

(Milking)

29.8.1918

1918 
WickensEdithCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 29.8.19181918 
WilsonPCooters End Training Centre (Milking) 19.2.19191919 

Essex Land Girls

For a list of some of Land Girls who worked in Essex in the First World War, see the list of those women who passed efficiency tests, taken from the Essex Land Army Supplement published in June 1919.

Essex Women's Land Army Supplement June 1919 First World War Land Girl Names