Land Girl rewarded for her efforts

[Antipodean Andy]

Land girl rewarded for Second World War efforts (From Bridgwater Mercury)

A CANNINGTON woman has been awarded a prestigious medal from the Prime Minister for her exemplary contribution to the war effort as a land girl.

Elizabeth Venner, 89, of the High Street, received a Woman's Land Army medal and a letter signed by Gordon Brown 65 years after serving in the WLA in Derbyshire.

She joined up in 1942 and worked on a farm at Hollymoorside near Chesterfield after a month's training in Northamptonshire before settling at a farm near her home village of Chilwell in Nottingham.

Elizabeth was involved in a variety of work including milking, which she remembers was a gold job on winter mornings.

She said: “With only one lamp between us in the cow shed, it was quite possible to get snuggled up against the warm cows during milking and nearly falling asleep again, except that we were only sitting on three legged stools!”

When working on her second farm, her job was to look after a herd of Jersey cows and she was often called up to the house to pluck pheasants and partridges after making the mistake of telling her employer she could truss poultry.

Following the war, she married Somerset dairy farmer Herbert Venner, who she lived with at Moxhill Farm, near Combwich before retiring to Cannington.

Elizabeth celebrated her award with Herbert at a special party held at the Manor Home in Taunton, where they enjoyed a four-course meal.

On receiving the medal, Elizabeth said: “I am very pleased to receive both a medal and a certificate from the Prime Minister.

“I enjoyed my time as a land girl very much and all the jobs I had to do.”

[Kyt]

Sadly, it is not a medal but a badge of recognition. I'm not nitpicking but it should have been a proper medal rather than a lapel badge.

[liverpool annie]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Sadly, it is not a medal but a badge of recognition. I'm not nitpicking but it should have been a proper medal rather than a lapel badge.

I agree ! ....... the Australian Girls got a medal ....

Civilian Service Medal 1939-1945 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Kyt]

And whilst I'm ranting

Defra, UK - Farming - Working in farming - Women's Land Army

Badges will be awarded to surviving members as of 6 December 2007. Badges will not be able to be awarded to spouses or families of deceased members, except where death has occurred after 6 December 2007.

Same with the ATA badge

The Royal British Legion - Can We Help You? - Medals

The ATA Veterans badge is available for all surviving members of the ATA. It is not available to families or next of kin of deceased members except where the member died after 1 February 2008.

and

Bevan Boys

Bevin Boys Badge


The badge can only be issued posthumously to the widows of men who died on or after 20 June 2007 and fall into the above category.

But strangely family members can apply for The Arctic Emblem

Medals - The Arctic Emblem

In common with the issue of campaign medals, the surviving next of kin may claim the Emblem on behalf of Arctic veterans who have died, but they will not be entitled to wear it.

[Antipodean Andy]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Sadly, it is not a medal but a badge of recognition. I'm not nitpicking but it should have been a proper medal rather than a lapel badge.

Really? What a misleading article.

[liverpool annie]

Originally Posted by Antipodean Andy

Really? What a misleading article.

63 years does seem a long to wait .... doesn't sound like this lady is too thrilled !

Wight Living: Women's Land Army

[spidge]

They seem to be so bloody tight. Seems they set dates which are going to show them doing something but which will cost them the lowest amount of money.

[Antipodean Andy]

But then go and retire the FAA's Sea Harriers, turning the carriers into glorified helicopter carriers, for cost-saving reasons. Now the RN has no CAP capability until the new carrier/s are built (is that correct?).