WOMEN'S LAND ARMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 3

WOMEN'S LAND ARMY

AUCKLAND GIRL RECRUIT £ND OF OVERSEAS TOUR [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Oct. G On the outbreak of war, Miss Nancy Dawson, daughter of Mr. Charlton Dawson, of Auckland, joined the Shropshire Women's Land Army and is now engaged in farm work on the property of Mr. R. 13. Collier, of Brockton House, Shropshire. Miss Dawson had a fortnight's tuition first at Harrington Farm, Shifnal, and is now doing her bit by driving a milk van. While life on a farm is not new to the New Zealand visitor, some 40 or 50 recruits of the Women's Land Army are having their first experience of farm life not very far distant from Brockton House. These recruits, all city girls, from London, Liverpool and Manchester, are in the charge, of a matron and are having a month's training at the Harper Adams Agricultural College, prior to going out as "improvers." A large proportion will be very well qualified for any class of farm work when their training is conipleted. At this college are girls from all ranks in life and from ages ranging from 19 to 40, and during their month's training they get experience in all kinds of farm work.

Mr. W. B. Thompson, vice-principal of the college, was high in his praise of their adaptability. "1 am satisfied that the majority of these girls, after their month's training at the college, will be found extremely useful on the farm," lie said. Mr. Thompson explained that the college was expecting relays of recruits every month.