Sir –  I write to you on behalf of The Women’s Farm & Garden Association.
Our organisation was founded in 1899 by women concerned about the lack of education and employment opportunities for women working on the land.


At the outbreak of the First World War, an offshoot of the main organisation was formed, aiming to replace labour lost to enlistment and avoid disruption to food supplies: this was called The Women’s National Land Service Corps.
An appeal was made asking for ‘all young, strong, educated women ... to come and take a short training for work on the land ... and so help to save the home-grown food supply of the country’.


Such was the success of this call that over 20,000 women registered with the organisation and it was later taken over by the Board of Trade in 1917 and developed into the first Women’s Land Army.


A hundred years later, the original aims, aspirations and objectives of these women continue to underpin the activities of our association in the 21st century — to network and unite and offer training facilities for those who work in agriculture ... horticulture and associated industries.
We are planning an event in November 2014 to mark the centenary of the First World War and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have a recollection — perhaps from a relative — of the activities of these pioneering WLNS women, or perhaps have examples of the certificates, badges and medals that were issued at the time. You can contact us at: wfgaww1@btinternet.com or at the address below.


Deborah Barber, WFGA chairman, 175 Gloucester Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 2DP