Holding the Home Front: The Women’s Land Army in the First World War

By Caroline Scott

( Pen & Sword, 214 pages, £19.99)

Holding the Home Front is a well-researched book covering the 1860s to 1930s, mainly focused on 1914-19.

The book describes the state of agriculture before the First World War, which is necessary to understand the following chapters. It then gives an insight into the different phases of the Women’s Land Army and the difficulties faced by those wishing to volunteer.

The many quotes from land girls give a glimpse into their daily lives and the attitudes of their employers. However, as the author states: “We can only hear the voices of the village women secondhand.” The accounts are mainly from educated women, rather than local women returning to the work of their recent ancestors. This gives a slightly one-sided view although still highly insightful.

The book also highlights the changing role of women and how until 1917, with the change in government and increasing food shortages, there was real opposition to women returning to the land.

Highly relevant for those with ancestors in the Land Army or interest in the Home Front during the First World War.