Amy Toomer

General Information

First Name(s): Amy

Unmarried Surname: Toomer

Date of Birth: 23.07.1890

Place of Birth: Chilbolton, Hants

Date joined WLA: 02.06.1917

Date left WLA: 30.11.1919

Previous occupation: Amy was from a family of agricultural labourers in rural Hampshire, but in 1911 was working in Ealing, West London as a live-in domestic.

Amy Toomer.
Amy Toomer Certificate of Discharge on Demobilisation. Her certificate notes how Amy was an ‘experienced cowwoman and dairy worker’ and received a Class A in an Efficiency Test for Farming.
Amy Toomer’s Efficiency Certificate for Farming. Amy was tested for her skills in milking at Sherborne St John in Hampshire, receiving 90%.
Amy Toomer’s WLA certificate.
The opening page of Amy Toomer’s WLA Land Army Agricultural Section handbook.

My brother has been checking through Amy’s effects and note that she was awarded a Gold Service Ribbon, which is attached to her armband. On further checking, I can see that her Certificate of Discharge made reference to this (as GSR). Furthermore, there was also a copy of the March 1918 Landswoman, with part of pg 49 cut out. I was able to download this from the British Newspaper Archive and found that the piece cut out was about an event held at Winchester for the Hampshire WLA. It had taken place at the end of January 1918, and was reported in the Hampshire Advertiser a few days later. The event included the award of badges, so I think I can safely say that this was when Amy was presented with her GSR.

Life After War

Amy spent the rest of her life “in service”, as housekeeper to a wealthy mother and daughter, initially in London, and then moved with them to Sidmouth, Devon. After both ladies had died (1937/1963), Amy was gifted a small pension for life, along with the house, where she continued to live, unmarried, for the rest of her life. 

Contributor Details

Name: Ann Davies

Relationship to Land Girl: Great-niece

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