Women who stepped in to help keep the country going during World War Two are to be honoured for the first time.

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The Isle of Man is the first place in the British Isles to honour former members of the Women's Land Army with a special medal recognising their service on farms.

By 1941, after Britain had been at war for 20 months, many of the male farm workers had been conscripted or had volunteered for the armed forces.

Internees and prisoners of war were permitted to work under guard on farms close to their camps, but had to return by 4.30pm, which meant many hours of daylight were lost.

To address the problem, women — known as land girls — were drafted in to help prepare the ground and harvest crops to feed the population.

Women who didn't have experience of farm work were trained at Knockaloe Farm, Patrick.

Members were placed on individual farms as vacancies occurred and mobile squads were organised according to labour requirements.

In 1943, Lezayre Lodge, Sulby, was rented as a base for the mobile squad with accommodation for up to 30 land girls.

The women were released at the end of the hostilities. The mobile squads stopped operating in January 1946 and the hostel was closed.

Chief Minister Donald Gelling said: 'The land girls did a tough, vital job but they were the Cinderellas of the war effort.

'It was suggested that these ladies deserve some proper recognition at long last for their contribution and the Council of Ministers was happy to agree.'

It is hoped that as many of the surviving members of the 200-strong Manx Women's Land Army, who worked on the Island's farms in the 1940s, can be identified before the medals are presented at Government House in November.

Mr Gelling said: 'It's just sad that many of those who served in the Manx Women's Land Army are no longer here to see this happen.'

Former members of the Manx Women's Land Army eligible for a medal should contact Pauline Pescodd in the chief minister's office on 685705.


Source: Isle of Man Today