World War 11

[tooj]

Could anyone confirm whether farm workers were exempt from military service during the war or whether they were conscripted like the majority of males.I was told it was a reserved occupation and it,s causing family arguments each November.

[hawksley]

Yes ,They were exempt.

[alexanderd]

They were exempt as essential food producers

[tonyav]

Makes you wonder why they needed the land girls though doesn't it.

[pretty_snowdrop]

yes they were exempt.

[bert_h]

They could choose to stay exempted, or choose to volunteer. If there hadn't been enough Land Girls, their volunteering would have been turned down.

[daftgrandad]

Even though they were exempt,they could join up if they wanted to.
This would have left some farms short of labour,therefore the need
for land girls.

[tonyav]

Right, I understand now, thanks guys.

[woofgang]

In addition to the gap caused by the farm workers who chose to sign up, there was great pressure put on farmers to increase production and also to bring more land into cultivation, both of which required more labour.

[seadogg]

Many farms were small family affairs with a little hired help so increasing food production required an increase in the labour force- hence the value of the Land Army. The major strides in machinery and chemicals had not yet made an impact on the smaller farm. A lot of girls stayed on the land for several years after the war and I remember some of them with affection.

[tonyav]

A lot of girls stayed on the land for several years after the war and I remember some of them with affection.

Do you, seadogg. ;-)

[seadogg]

All in the cause of education, dear boy!

[tonyav]

Of course of course, seadogg. I understand ;-)
bet that hay was bloody itchy though !.

[stewey]

Now, now, gentlemen. Let us not muddy this thread concerning farms and the Land Girls:)

[woofgang]

jordy, this is getting a tad boring now.

[Peter Pedant]

Remember that not everyone in a reserved occupation was exempt
decided on a case to case basis apparently

I am trying to find out by whom.

Also the agricultural labourers as they then were might have thought life in the Army was a better option...

[Peter Pedant]

IN Darzzet.. we had evacuees staying on,,, right Cockney sparrers etc

Life was better in the country than in the slums I think....

Michael Aspel reports being ecstatically happy in Chard, Som

[woofgang]

PP apparently the gov.t drew up a schedule that was adjusted according to need.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a6652019.shtml. Decisions were made according to the prevailing schedule at the time from what i can see.