HAPPY TO DO THEIR BIT
prentice in a large department re where I had to sweep floors, ke tea and learn the stitches,” lly, in her mid-90s, told Joanna. Struck down by illness, Molly was overing at home when a clerical became available for the Ministry Supply in the surrounding dbrecknish Forest.
I had never worked in an office or ne clerical work before. But they ew I was a capable girl and I got job.
A few months later, 10 girls from Land Army were drafted in from asgow to join us in what was now led the Timber Corps and from re on we were known as the Lumberjills”. Joining in 1940, she performed clerical work and, like Audrey, was later responsible for calculating wages, the cubic feet of timber and preparing dockets for the stationmaster.
She attended dances every Friday night and in 1944 married Eddie, a young soldier stationed near Dundee. It wasn’t uncommon for women to leave the Corps once they were married, and she left her work in forestry later that year.
After the war, Audrey continued to work in a sawmill doing all the timber measuring until she got married in 1948. The scarcity of post-war jobs in forestry forced the vast majority of “The Women’s Timber Corps helped me to discover my love of travelling, as well as being responsible for a very great happiness in my life, then and now” “As I look back, I think those years I spent in the Timber Corps were probably some of the happiest days of my life. I am happy to be able to say that I ‘did my bit’.” “I enjoyed the camaraderie of the other girls and have only happy memories of my time as a Lumberjill. I liked being free. They were happy days with all the girls.” “I had a lot of fun and a great experience in the Timber Corps. It is a chapter in my life that I will always cherish.” “We were very healthy and happy, out in all weathers, working in the snow and frost, of course in glorious sunshine, well away from the horror of war. I still write to some of my friends after over 50 years. We were very close: like sisters.” the Lumberjills to go back to their everyday lives in domestic work, and many women held a deep frustration that they were poorly supported, undervalued and essentially forgotten.
“It was only years later that I began to realise that we were not appreciated for what we had done,” said Audrey.
“It was a long time afterwards that I began to think we should have got some recognition. We didn’t get any money. We weren’t even allowed to keep our uniforms.”
The Lumberjills’ contribution to the wartime effort was undeniable. During the Second World War, more “That was my war, and I must say I loved that way of life in the fresh air – particularly the smell of the felled trees.” timber was produced from British woodlands than ever before in history. However, the feeling of being neglected stayed with the women for years afterwards.
Then, more than 60 years later in 2007, the women were given their first nod of official recognition when the Forestry Commission unveiled a memorial in Aberfoyle, Perthshire.
A short while later, the government announced that the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps would receive a special badge of honour. “Better late than never,” was the consensus.
Finally, the Forgotten been remembered. Corps had ● To preorder Lumberjills: Britain’s Forgotten Army by Joanna Foat, published by The History Press on April 1 at £14.99, call The Express Bookshop on 01872 562310 with your card details. Alternatively send a cheque made payable to Express Bookshop along with your details to Lumberjills Offer, PO Box 200, Falmouth TR11 4WJ. Or buy online at expressbookshop.co.uk UK Delivery is free