IT has taken years but they have finally got the recognition they deserve.Britain’s Land Army girls of the Second World War have been honoured.Those who turned their attention to the land in 1939-45 can apply to have their efforts recognised for a new "badge of recognition" - and a number from Huddersfield have already done so.The badge will acknowledge those surviving members of the Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps who provided food and timber for the nation during the World War One and World War Two.Here are some of their stories.Here are some of their stories.
KIRKHEATON woman Vera Ewers has been honoured for her work during the Second World War.
She was one of many thousands of women to work on the land while the men were sent to fight.
The 82-year-old has now been presented with a badge and certificate to recognise her achievements.
Vera joined the Women’s Land Army aged 17 and served for more than two years.
She said: “I do feel very proud of what I’ve achieved.
“I worked very hard in the Land Army. Of course it was wonderful at that age, but it was very hard work.
“After that I joined the Navy Army and Air Force Institutes (Naafi) and spent 10 years there.
“I received a silver medal for that, which I am very proud of, too.’’
She added: “I wouldn’t swap those days because they were wonderful.”
Vera was sent to work on remote farms throughout the country.
She would start her day at 6am and work until 6pm, breaking to eat sandwiches in an old railway shed.
Two years later she joined the Naafi, which provides canteens for the forces and their families.
While in the Naafi she met her late husband, Norman, who was serving with the Household Cavalry and was based at Knightsbridge Barracks in London.
They had one daughter, Elaine, and one grandson, Mark.
Vera is a published poet and she also writes for the Kirkheaton Methodist Church magazine.
