Hutted Histories: The Women's Land Army during the First World War with Helen Frost

Be enthralled by this new army doing their National Service; one that made such an incredible contribution to the war effort at home. The pioneering Women's Land Army of the Great War years aimed to recruit women largely from wealthier backgrounds for the first time although this was not always the case! For the many women who worked in mainly towns and cities in well-paid jobs or didn't work at all prior to the war, they were strongly encouraged to come and work on the land, (often for the first time) in large numbers.  The years 1914-1918/19 however, gave women from all classes in all counties and regions of Britain opportunities that were simply unthinkable of before the Great War.  Officially formed in February 1917, the women that eventually went on to join the Women's Land Army during the First World War enabled vital food production to continue on the Home Front. Their efforts attempted to fill the enormous void left by men who had gone to serve overseas; men who had previously worked in farming and agriculture. The chief purpose of the Great War Women's Land Army was to stave off the very real threat of starvation to the British population by turning more land over to cultivation whilst continuing to farm existing land. This threat to food supply was caused by the devastating impact unrestricted German U-boat attacks had on Allied merchant shipping.

From its infancy, pre-1917 through to its peak and subsequent demobilisation, this illustrated talk will take any audience on a captivating journey of the history of the First World War's history right from when the earliest branches of the Forage Corps and Forestry/Timber sections were set up right up until it was 'officially' formed in February/March 1917. Then finally, right the way through to November 30th 1919 when it was officially demobilised.

About Helen:

My background is in teaching and lecturing in English, ESOL and International English language Teaching to Adults. I am a Great War historian, researcher, speaker and author with a particular fascination about the lives of Land Girls during the Great War although I speak about other aspects of the Great War too. I've had articles published in Stand To, the journal of the Western Front Association and other history magazines and publications. I have been writing a book for the past 6 years which is due to be published in October. I am passionate about remembering the legacy left behind by those that served during the Great War.

My other passions are Baroque music, (George Frederick Handel in particular) cycling, watching cricket and the expeditions of Ernest Shackleton. I have a deep love of the countryside and of the old traditions and customs passed down the generations.