Object number
88/48
Collection
Creator
Description
This is a khaki, short, overall coat with buttoned cuffs, and two side pockets which forms part of a Women’s Land uniform. It doesn’t have any label but it’s similar to the other overall coat of the collection (88/47) except that is patched on the pocket and more worn. It also has a darker colour.
Physical description
1 overall coat: linen (drill); fair condition - well worn
Label Text
Women's Land Army uniform. The Women's Land Army came into being in the First World War, 1914-1918, but re-formed for the Second World War. This uniform was standard issue to the young women, many of whom were teenagers, who enlisted during 1939-1945. Their uniform had to be very hard-wearing. The women worked long and arduous hours, keeping farms in production to feed the nation. They did all the farm and forestry work usually done by men, for minimal pay. Many women continued to work on the land after the war, until the men returned from the forces and reclaimed their jobs.
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: OVERALL - COAT // Accession number: 88/48 // Classification: PERSONAL clothing garment // Negative number: 60/15870 // Acquisition method: GIFT // Acquired from: [...] AMPHILL, BEDFORD // Date: 14 June 1988 // Store: // Condition: fair - well worn // Recorder: JMB // Date: 8.3.89 // Description: WOMEN'S LAND ARMY UNIFORM // Khaki drill, short overall-coat with buttoned cuffs, and two side pockets. It has a collar and can be buttoned to the neck. 5 buttons and button holes. // Inscription: A 24 // No label // Dimensions: Length: Approx: 91.0 cm // Associated information: This overall is similar to 88/47 but is patched on the pocket and more worn. It is also a darker colour. // References:', MERL miscellaneous note, Georgia Charitou, September 2014 – Objects 88/44-66 form part of the Doreen Thorp Collection of material relating to the Women’s Land Army. The collection consists of papers relating to the career or Doreen Thorp in the W.L.A. from 1939-47, as well as items of clothing which form part of a W.L.A. uniform. ‘, Transcription of information about Doreen Thorp – ‘Mrs. N. D. Warren (nee Thorp) 13.6.1923 – 3.1.1988. // In September 1939 I joined the Women’s Land Army and in October I started two months training at the Midland Agricultural College in poultry, milking (hand & machine), stock and general farm work.’
Production date
1939 - 1947
Object name
Material
Technique
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_15870.tif - High resolution image
