Mary Emma Holmes (née Walton)

General Information

First Name(s): Mary Emma

Unmarried Surname: Walton

Married Surname: Holmes

Date of Birth: 1.3.1912

Place of Birth: Leeds

Previous occupation: Hair stylist – own business

Reasons for joining: Patriotism, doing the right thing. Also my father (before they married) was in the Army. He took part in D.Day.

Family’s reaction to joining: Very proud.

Reactions of local people: Very supportive and friendly.

Treatment by farmers: Very favourable, said they were very grateful for their help.

Reasons for leaving: End of war?

Employment

Pre-work training: No

Employed by: Private farmers in North Yorkshire

• Mr and Mrs Barton in Kirk Deighton (8 Main Street)
• Mr and Mrs Roy Kendall, Manor Garth, Cowthorpe
• Bilb

Worked with Anne Ingham, Keighley

Type of work undertaken: Worked on the land. Milking cows, lambing, planting, hoeing, driving tractors, harvesting, weeding.

Work liked most and least: Loved all of it.

Best memories of time: Enjoyed working alongside the Italian Prisoners of War. She said they were so kind.

Accommodation

Private billet

Life after the war

Did they return back to their pre-war occupation? Yes

What was their occupation after the war? My mother was a self employed hair stylist.

Did they stay on the land? No

How did work in the WLA affect their life? My mother said they were some of the happiest days of her life.

Any other information: My Mum died in January 1993. She loved her time in the WLA. It was such an important time in her life. Surely she should be allowed her badge posthumously. It would mean so much to me, her granddaughter and her great granddaughter. She served like all the other ladies and should receive her badge. I am happy to pay for this. During the V.E. Day 80th celebrations we were so proud of Mum. It would be so nice to have something to show for it.

Contributor Information

Name: Prudence Anne Scurr

Relationship to Land Girl: Daughter