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Mayor wants to host formal reception to
honour women
Ploughing in the fields - land girls at work
during the war. Pic courtesy of DEFRA
 A
NUMBER of local former members of the Women's Land Army and
Timber Corps are to receive a special badge of honour in
recognition of their efforts to provide for the nation during
World War II.
The 'Land Girls' and 'Lumber Jills' - seven
from Co. Antrim and nine from Co. Down -have been honoured for
their services to the nation; and we are hoping to find those
local women who have received one of the badges. Because Lisburn
City Council is also keen to honour the local ladies by holding
a formal ceremony at the Island Civic Centre.
The Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford
commented, "We would be very keen to honour them with a formal
ceremony, they did very valuable work to keep the nation going
when food could not be transported to the country."
More than 30,000 surviving members of the WLA
and WTC across the UK are being presented with badges of honour
this summer. The women supplied the nation with food and timber
during WWII when they were called upon to help in agriculture as
male workers went to fight in the war.
At its peak, there were some 80,000 women
serving the nation. The Land Girls worked on farms and estates,
milking cows, digging ditches, making hay, sowing seeds and
harvesting crops, to help alleviate food shortages.
The Lumber Jills worked in forests to provide
timber for the war effort, felling trees, cutting timber and
sharpening saws.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "The
Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps worked tirelessly in
the war years to keep this country going by providing food and
supplies, and timber for the war effort. Their work was
absolutely vital, and it is right that we thank them now for
their dedication in the service of their country."
� We would love to hear from any of
the local ladies receiving one of the badges recognising
their work. If you have received one and would like to
tell your story please contact Stacey Heaney at the
Ulster Star on 92679111, email
stacey.heaney@jpress.co.uk or call into the office
at 12A Bow Street, Lisburn.
Ulster Star
25/07/2008
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