Northfleet History Group - April 2013 Meeting.
“WOMEN OF WORLD WAR II - THE HOME FRONT”
There was again a good turnout of members to hear Carol Harris give her talk about the "Women of World War II - The Home Front". She and her husband Mike have something of an obsession with the wartime period and live in a 1930s house furnished and decorated in the style of the time. She gave her talk against a backdrop of uniforms of the period, including Land Army jodhpurs, a WVS greatcoat and a Civil Defence jacket.
Between the two world wars, a woman’s work was in the home, looking after her husband and children, but when it became obvious that another war was likely to happen, it was realised that women would be needed for the war effort. They were ‘called up’ to work in the factories, helping to build aircraft and make weapons, and worked long hours alongside the men, to keep the soldiers ready for war. The gentry formed themselves into the WVS or became nurses. They set up soup kitchens, often on the streets where bombs had fallen, helping to find shelter for the families who had been bombed out of their homes. This association continued long after the war ended. Other women volunteered for the Land Army. This proved to be very hard work, getting up early in the morning to go out in the fields, planting and harvesting until dark, helping with milking, collecting eggs and generally looking after the animals. Over this time of the war women got used to working away from their homes, and more and more women managed to combine work with running their homes and caring for their families. Carol held our interest for over an hour and we all felt her enthusiasm.
After the tea interval, Helen Skellorn entertained us with her interesting recollections of events during the years she spent living in London Road, which brought back memories to many members.
Our next meeting is in St Botolph’s church hall on Tuesday, 7th May, when, instead of the previously advertised talk, Terry Poole will tell us about the village of Southfleet. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ian Bevan’s talk about the Inns of Court will now be given on 4th June.
Visitors are most welcome at all of our meetings. Admission is £1 for members and £1.50 for visitors. Tea and a biscuit only 50p. No need to book.
There was again a good turnout of members to hear Carol Harris give her talk about the "Women of World War II - The Home Front". She and her husband Mike have something of an obsession with the wartime period and live in a 1930s house furnished and decorated in the style of the time. She gave her talk against a backdrop of uniforms of the period, including Land Army jodhpurs, a WVS greatcoat and a Civil Defence jacket.
Between the two world wars, a woman’s work was in the home, looking after her husband and children, but when it became obvious that another war was likely to happen, it was realised that women would be needed for the war effort. They were ‘called up’ to work in the factories, helping to build aircraft and make weapons, and worked long hours alongside the men, to keep the soldiers ready for war. The gentry formed themselves into the WVS or became nurses. They set up soup kitchens, often on the streets where bombs had fallen, helping to find shelter for the families who had been bombed out of their homes. This association continued long after the war ended. Other women volunteered for the Land Army. This proved to be very hard work, getting up early in the morning to go out in the fields, planting and harvesting until dark, helping with milking, collecting eggs and generally looking after the animals. Over this time of the war women got used to working away from their homes, and more and more women managed to combine work with running their homes and caring for their families. Carol held our interest for over an hour and we all felt her enthusiasm.
After the tea interval, Helen Skellorn entertained us with her interesting recollections of events during the years she spent living in London Road, which brought back memories to many members.
Our next meeting is in St Botolph’s church hall on Tuesday, 7th May, when, instead of the previously advertised talk, Terry Poole will tell us about the village of Southfleet. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ian Bevan’s talk about the Inns of Court will now be given on 4th June.
Visitors are most welcome at all of our meetings. Admission is £1 for members and £1.50 for visitors. Tea and a biscuit only 50p. No need to book.
