The concept of the Women's Land Army was first formed in the First World War but developed much more quickly when resurrected in 1939. Although often portrayed as glamorous, the land army girls in fact worked incredibly hard, on all manner of farm work. As men were conscripted and found themselves leaving their positions, large numbers of women volunteered to be part of the WLA, as an alternative to factory or military work.

Any girl believing the adverts depicting healthy, rosy-cheeked young women may have been shocked to discover what their work would actually entail. The WLA did a huge variety of land work, from milking cows and raising pigs to sowing seeds and reaping harvests. They were very much expected to take over from where the men had left in every way, and despite some
possible initial shock, the women took to their tasks with gusto and enthusiasm.

Kent was the base for many land army girls, 12 of which were based at the Hop Farm, Beltring. Easily identifiable around the county, the WLA wore a uniform consisting of a green v-necked jumper, shirt with tie, light brown corduroy breeches, woollen socks and brogue shoes. One original Land Army Girl, Rhoda Grimes (nee Doble), still resides in Beltring after working at the Hop Farm between 1942 and 1949. She worked around the farm carrying out tasks such as harvesting and hop training.
	Rhoda Grimes (nee Doble) and fellow land army girls at Beltring Click picture to enlarge
Rhoda remembers her time at the Hop Farm as "very hard work but very good fun". Rhoda took part, in 1949, in the final parade of the land army at Buckingham Palace, during which she was inspected by HRH the Queen Mother of which she has very fond memories. Mrs Grimes will be visiting the War and Peace show to really test the knowledge of the re-enactors.
	Land army girls reenactors at Beltring Click picture to enlarge

The "Soil Cinderellas" are a re-enactment group, formed in 1999 with the aim of promoting and publicising the role of women serving in the Women's Land Army. They were started by Nicky Reynolds of Ipswich, who visited many re-enactment shows with her husband and has been visiting the KM War and Peace show since 1997. She found it hard to muster the enthusiasm for militaria displayed at the shows but once she saw a WLA costume on a friend, decided that she had found her interest.

Nicky now owns probably the largest collection of Women's Land Army uniforms and equipment in the country and she and her team have painstakingly researched the work carried out by the WLA and have sought to learn the skills and practices performed as part of every land girls daily routine. The group represented the WLA in the parade for HRH Queen
Elizabeth the Queen Mother's 100th birthday parade.

The Soil Cinderella's will be demonstrating the work of the Womens Land army at the Hop Farm Country Park as part of the KM War and Peace show from 17th - 21st July. They will be joined by various re-enactment groups depicting many different factions of the war effort, as well as over 3,5000 military vehicles (many of which take part in action packed arena events), 1940's fashion shows, and a "nostalgia" based arena.

For further information on the KM War and Peace show, please contact the
Hop Farm event line on 01622 872068.

For Hard Copies of photos, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Original land army girl picture reproduced with kind permission of Robin
Walton, author of Beltring, 150 years of History.