Delight at belated recognition

6:40pm Friday 29th August 2008

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A FORMER Land Girl who received a medal for her work in the Women’s Land Army said she was “delighted” to be recognised after more than 60 years.

Margret Van Souwe worked tirelessly in the Land Army, where a typical day’s work involved harvesting, lambing, ploughing, milking the cows and shearing.

The 79-year-old spent four years grafting at Rowe Farm, in Holt Heath, during the Second World War, where she helped supply the nation with food while the men were at war.

During a summer barbecue, workers at Hernes Nest House, in Bewdley, where Mrs Van Souwe now lives, presented her with the medal and a certificate signed by Gordon Brown.

“It was very nice to get my medal. I was delighted,” Mrs Van Souwe said. “It’s nice to be recognised and I’m pleased that I’m still around to receive it.”

The mother of two added: “It was very good working in the Land Army. In the evenings we had a very good time. We used to go to Worcester on the back of a trailer. Someone used to always fetch us and take us back to the farm. We also went to dances in the summer.

“We worked very hard but we managed to have fun.

“I was very surprised when I got the medal because I didn’t expect it. It’s nice to get it after all of this time.”