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I was seventeen years old when the war broke out on September 3rd 1939. My home address was 71 Southdown Road, Upper Portslade, West Sussex. I had been employed at the Ranuk factory at Portslade since the age of fourteen. When I commenced employment, my wage was ten shillings and 7d for a 48 hour week. I hated working there, and was glad to leave and join the Women’s Land Army.

I went around with a ‘Threshing Gang’, mainly working in the Chailey/ Newick/ Lindfield and Wivelsfield areas. I did not receive any training prior to my work with the gang. My favourite job was being on top of the corn stack, passing the sheaves of corn up to the bond cutter, who fed the corn into the machine. The worst job was raking out underneath the thresher. The lady of the house where I was billeted, would not let me into the house until I had removed most of my clothing! It was bliss to work out of doors after life in the factory — where one of the rules was NO TALKING!! Most of the farmers treated us very well with refreshment — usually a washstand jug of creamy milk, along with some bread and jam.

Whilst threshing at Great Oak Hall Farm, Wivelsfield, the owner asked me if I would agree to work at the farm independently. Permission had to be granted from the Women’s Land Army — and soon I found myself milking twelve cows, by hand, morning and evening, mucking out, and general duties around the farm. One day I made a mistake and had not locked the bull (a Holmbury Kismet) up properly in his field. This was supposed to be carried out when the bull was feeding. I went into the pen with the wheel barrow to begin cleaning up…looked up to find the bull coming for me!! I quickly shouted for the cowman to come and help me!

My billet was located several fields away in a small cottage. The toilet was halfway down the garden, water had to be drawn from the well. One day I managed to leave the bucket at the bottom of the garden — the landlord was not very pleased with me!

On one occasion, it was a dark morning when I was on my way to carry out the milking, when I came across a sheep — on its back! Another Landgirl helped me to right it!

In 1942 I married the brother of one of the couples, with whom I was billeted to (Mr Alan Bristow of Rose Cottage, North Chailey). He worked for the War Agriculture Committee, directing farm machinery to the various farms.

On 22nd June 1944, I was in labour with my first child. A Polish Airman stationed nearby went up and shot down a Doodlebug close by — we were not hurt, but the bungalow was badly damaged. My mother, who had been staying with me for two weeks whilst awaiting the birth, was rushed to Upper Portslade (my mother’s home), and my daughter was born late the next day (23rd June 1944). Both of my children have gone on to great things — my daughter is an Art Therapist and my son is an Electronics Consultant.

This story was added to the site by Elizabeth Legate on behalf of Peg Bristow. Peg fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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