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The Timber Corps of the Women's Land Army - Margaret Rayner
Timber was one of the most vital munitions of war, but the extra men required for the woods were required even more urgently elseIt was essential that women should replace men over as wide a field as possible and so, from a nucleus of about 1000 Land Army members already working in the Department, the Women's Timber Corps was established in April 1942. Members wore the same uniform as the Land Army except for a green beret and a Timber Corps badge.
Home Timber Production Dept.
Margaret Rayner
The Timber Corps sounded good to me. Two of my friends had joined and so I volunteered and was accepted for Training at Wetherby in Yorkshire. Here we were introduced to the main sections of the work, felling, cross-cutting, clearing in the woods, sawing and measuring. Each morning we were taken in open lorries along the A1 to work in Bramham Woods where the timber, which was cut here was mainly for pit props. We used 5lb axes, but the lumberjacks who we sometimes helped with trimming used the heavier 7lb axes.
At the end of our 4 weeks training, we were sent to work, some for the Ministry and others to timber merchants though we were all still employees of the Department. The administration and welfare of members was delegated to the Home Timber Production Department of the Ministry of Supply.
I was sent to work in a sawmill in Worcester where I learnt to operate a pendulum cross-cut saw. This was a circular saw of about 30 inches in diameter, electrically driven, fixed to a pendulum with a weight on one end. The saw was pulled across the saw bench and the weight took it back.
The work was out of doors. There was an awning of sorts - to keep the equipment dry - but the operator stood out in all weathers! Cold in winter to begin the days work but not for long.
Lengths of timber were cut for use in various ways, from tool and brush handles to tent pegs for the military and crosses for soldiers' graves.
There were 3 other Timber Corps members working in the sawmill, we were "the girls" although there were over 100 women employed there.
The work was hard but it was a good firm to work for and I enjoyed my time there.
Comments
Hello. I wondered if you had heard of anyone named Brindle stationed at the Grange Park Wetherby, may have been RSM, the Sherwood Foresters. First names John William 1939 onwards. Kind regards, Brian Brindle.
Posted by: brian brindle at September 18, 2007 2:00 PM
I am putting together a collection of womens army cap badges and I am looking to buy a badge of the Womans Land Army Timber Corps.If anyone has a spare one for sale I would dearly love to hear from them. Yours Truly, George Henderson.
Posted by: Anonymous at June 3, 2008 9:05 PM
Re The Women's Timber Corps (WLA) I am looking for some memorabilia from WWII. I have mislaid my dark brown bakelite Cap badge of a tree and also my crossed axes which were gilt colour and worn on the arm. Please can you tell me if I have any chance of getting these now? I was in the Women's Timber Corps from 1942 until the end of the war. Thank you very much in anticipation. Joan Thomas (nee Hammond)
Posted by: Joan Thomas at October 24, 2008 12:17 PM
Sorry, we don't know where you could obtain these Timber Corps items, but a search on the internet for dealers in wartime memorabalia and badges/insignia might be worthwhile if you haven't already tried.
See also http://landarmy.org.uk/home.html#link4
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at October 24, 2008 8:27 PM
Timber Corps Badges - These now fetch over £120 for originals but good copies are being made. Even these seem to be about £40 Try searching ebay. Other items are slowly being made as many people like to re-enact this unit, 661944.com is one company that makes badges, Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Butler Insignia at January 11, 2009 3:45 PM
Dear Joan,
I might be able to help you. Please email me for more details. elxgmx@hotmail.com
Best wishes,
Emma
Posted by: Emma Vickers at December 7, 2009 1:45 PM
My late partner was in the land army timber corp she was called Anne Bambrough. I wonder if anyone remembers her. I believe she worked farms in Northumberland and Yorkshire.
Posted by: Ralph falcus at October 2, 2010 7:52 PM