Genealogy Chat

My Gran was in the Land Army during WW2.She met my granddad in Catterick or Richmond Yorks while she was in the Army.Does any one know of any websites where I may be able to find out about her and where she was based?I know where Catterick Barracks are but were women based there during WW2? Thanks in advance Anna

Anna, The Womans Land Army was not a service in the way of the armed forces. although the members may have been called up they worked on farms throughout the county. Yor Gran was probably on a farm near the barracks living in lodgings or at home if she volunteered. it would be your grandfather who was stationed at the barracksand they met localy. bob

Hello Bob, Thanks for replying,My dad said his mum she had something to do with artillery?Maybe he was mistaken then.I know my grandad wasnt in the Army,though he was in Yorkshire,working on a farm.My gran was from Cumberland.Do you know if the ATS was the same as the Land Army?I thought they were both the same thing but Im not sure now.I seem to be going round in circles looking for websites but I cant seem to find out anything Anna

My grandad worked at Catterick during WW2, he trained the lads and sent them off to the front. George

Anna, The ATS was something like the auxiliary transport service. Yyour gran would have been in either the womens section or in nother section of the womens army. This was a completely different service to the Land Army. Bob

My grandmothers sister was also a Land Girl - does anyone know if there are any websites around with info Kay

Thanks again Bob.I only wish I had been interetsed in this before my gran died!Dad doesnt remember much of what she told him either. Ill just keep on looking I guess Anna Kay there is this website about the land army http://www.homesweethomefront. co. uk/web_pages/hshf_wla_pg.htm

Anna Thanks for that Kay

Kay I forgot to mention take out the spaces between the dots if you copy and paste the address anna

The ATS was the Auxiliary Territorial Service (the forerunner of the Women's Royal Army Corps). During WWII the ATS carried out many cruicial jobs including manning Ack-Ack guns and searchlights. They were stationed at strategic places all over the country including Bletchley Park. The Women's Land Army - or Land Girls - were women often from towns and cities who replaced the men and boys who were called up or volunteered to fight in WWII. The land still had to be worked, animals fed, cows milked, crops grown etc. The film, The Land Girls, came out a few years ago and is available on video. It is a brilliant film, with plenty of humour, and a good insight into what the LA did. Sue

My mum was a Land Girl too. The country could not have survived without their help on the farms. However they are STILL not recognised as a 'Service' and not allowed to march in the Remembrance Parade or to join the British Legion. They are still currently fighting for this right. With all the men away, someone had to feed the nation, it fell to the Land Girls. My mum tells me of enemy planes jettisoning unused bombs in the fields and machine gunning them as they passed over on their way home. Mum gets a newsletter I believe - I will ask her tomorrow if they have a website. Maz. XX