BARBARA ANNE WHITAKER COLLECTION OF WOMEN'S LAND ARMY MATERIAL

D WHI

1937-1969

Barbara Ann Whitaker was born on 19.6.1923 to Ida G Whitaker (nee Martyn) and Howard L Whitaker in Cheltenham, Gloucester. She joined the WLA in 1939 at the age of 16, Living at Old School House, Southam, Gloucester. WLA no 11271. She could milk, manage horse, and had a little knowledge of all branches of farming. Barbara worked at Manor Farm, in Southam, Gloucestershire, and also spent her evenings as an ARP 'Fire Watcher' and collecting money for the 'Penny a Week Red Cross Fund'. She left the WLA when it disbanded, and received the gold armband from the Queen in person. When war was imminent in 1939 she was keen to leave school and join the W.L.A. at just 16 years of age. // There was a W.L.A. hostel in our village of Southam Nr Cheltenham Glos. at an old house called the Pigeon House (also known as the Priory) // I believe she was taken into the Land Army at a very young age because she was a farmer’s daughter and was already experienced in most farm work. It could have been her age which caused her to live at home with the family and not at the hostel very near by. // … Barbara worked for Mr Tom Brassington at Manor Farm Southam. De-mobbed in 8.11.1947. Barbara died unmarried in 2003, Cheltenham.

Papers and photographs relating to the Women's Land Army career of Barbara Anne Whitaker 1937-1969

2 series

type: ARC

English

file

Women's Land Army, World War, 1939-1945, Archives

Available