Joan Bourner (née Goldspink)
Introduction by Linda Neaves, a Land Girl’s daughter
Below is an account I asked my mother to write of her time as a Land Girl during World War 2. The account was written by Mum much later in life. It describes the rewards of and commitment to her Land Army life. But, as such, it doesn’t necessarily capture the extent – the ups and downs – of a Land Girl’s life during The War years. I found out more about this life from the diaries she kept throughout The Second World War. So, I have included some transcripts from the diaries in Mum’s account plus more at the end of the account.
Mum died in 2021, aged 101; it was then I felt able to read her diaries. Mum worked hard on the farms, she had the company of her best friend Pam and an ever increasing group of young farmers, their families, a gardener and other land girls who were gradually gravitating together.
It was evident, however, that the closest people in her life were all away: her mother and brother – evacuated to Birmingham; her Father – who worked locally but in 1942 also went to Birmingham; and her fiance – a POW for almost the entire war. (Dad’s own account of time as a POW can be found here.) She immersed herself in the social activities of the group (‘gang’) and enjoyed the dances and pictures, but that enjoyment came with the guilt of her enjoyment whilst her finance remained a POW. It did however provide the essential distraction to counter the loneliness she felt at times, a loneliness that was added to by friends and family weddings, the birth of children and, not least, the courtship and marriage of her best friend. Despite it all, Mum enjoyed so much of her time as a Land Girl and remained friends with Mr & Mrs Bowley and their sons, and many of the group, particularly Pam and Eddy.
The Land Army (1939-1946)
By Joan Bourner (née Goldspink)
In September 1939 my friend Pam and I joined the Land Army for a two week trial at Sprays Bridge farm in Westfield. During that time, September 3rd, Chamberlain declared war. After our trial period I returned to my job at McIlroys in Hastings and at Christmas my boyfriend and I were engaged. In January 1940 Pam and I went to Plumpton Agricultural College where we were issued with Land Army uniforms and taught to milk by hand, but very little else as the weather was so bad; the temperature was freezing.
1940 Saturday 17th February: “Snowed hard all night top thick to do any work. Climbed on top of downs in afternoon. Heard more about job. not going till 7th March.”
We amused ourselves in the blacksmith’s shop making horse shoes from 6 inch nails. However, in March Polly, Cynthia, Pam and I were moved to Balmer farm at Falmer.
The four of us lived in a cottage. Two of us fetched over one hundred cows from Sussex Downs for milking at 4 o’clock each morning. It rained and I remember leaving our “wellies” behind in the mud on more than one occasion as we walked. We worked until twelve midday and then the other two girls took over. Whoever stayed back at the cottage did the housework and cooking. We were only at the farm for a few weeks because the Land army decided this job was not suitable for girls! So, in April Pam and I were sent to a farm in Winchelsea. As Winchelsea’s inhabitants had been evacuated we lived alone in an old golf club house with only sheep to look after.
The living conditions were simply dreadful; we even had to pump our own water. Our job was to count the sheep to make sure they had not fallen in the dykes or died from over-eating fresh grass. If we found a dead sheep we had to drag it back to the cottage and when it had rotted we had to pull the wool off, to be taken away. It felt very remote and we felt very scared so we decided to defy the Land Army and find our own jobs, which was how, in May 1940, we began working at Breadsel Farm, Battle Road. We were in charge of 30 cows including milking them and cleaning their sheds. We also helped in cutting kale and hay and, in between, we helped in the fields.
During the Battle of Britain the cow sheds were pelted with bullet cases, and, although this sounds dangerous it was quite exciting watching the planes fighting overhead. In June 1940 my Fiance was reported missing and it was another two months before we knew he was a Prisoner of War.
1940 Wednesday 19th June: “Nice day at work but very miserable evening Mom came over with Mrs Bourner. told me G has been reported missing very very unhappy but hoping & hoping for the best.”
Two boys, who were friends of the farmer, came to help on the farm, and in November 1942 Pam married one of them, Eddy. At the end of November 1942 the Land army moved us, Pam to Vinehall and me to Moor Bank, Crowhurst.
The farm was owned by Mr. Carrington, a gentleman farmer but run by a bailiff, Mr Bowley. I slept in the farmer’s house where, blissfully, I had a bathroom to myself.
I had my meals with the bailiff, and his wife and two sons, Roger and Ray. I was very happy there. In the house I was treated as a daughter, but outside as one of the boys. No concessions for being a girl! There was a herd of 30 cows, a flock of sheep and arable land. We started milking at 5.30 a.m., then bottled some of the milk which I delivered round Crowhurst in a little three wheeled van, before returning home for breakfast. Then, until 3.30 p.m. when we milked again, we carried out a variety of farming chores according to the season, including: ploughing and harrowing fields, cutting stakes for fencing, cutting and laying hedges, spreading dung, threshing, making hay and stooking corn. We had no machinery like today’s farmers so at harvest time we often did not finish work until dark which could be nearly 11 p.m. by the clock, owing to the operation of double summer time. I would take the bailiff and the boys to Battle in the little van for Home Guard drill. I also took it to Vicary’s garage, in Battle for its service. The van had only one headlight with a guard on it; it was lucky there was not much traffic on the road.
1943 Tuesday 6th April: “Van refused to go on milk round so had to push it quite a way. cow kicked me in the eye & it is dreadfully swollen. went to bed early.”
We used to walk over the fields to Battle to the pictures and to visit the vets with the dogs. The path used to come out by the tanning yard. The horses had to be walked to Stars Green to be shod.
On August 30th 1943 the village of Crowhurst held a meeting to arrange a rota for fire watching. We were given a tin hat and an arm band. When it was your turn you walked around the area all night looking for incendiary bombs, which were intended to catch fire to such things as the hay stacks. In spite of all the hard work I very much enjoyed my days in the Land Army. Gordon, my fiance, came home on April 2nd 1945, and we were married on May 2nd.
Gordon had to go back in the Army after seven week’s leave, so I stayed working on the farm until 1946.
Extracts From Joan’s Wartime Diaries
1940
Saturday 17th February: Snowed hard all night too thick to do any work. Climbed on top of downs in afternoon. heard more about job. not going till 7th
Saturday 23rd March: 2 men left. So have to fetch cows in future.
Sunday 24th March: Fetched cows in the morning for first time not too Bad. Cycled to church in evening.
Wednesday 1st May: We start work Milked cow fed & Littered pigs in morning. Roamed about after sheep in afternoon. Helped tractor drivers to rescue tractor in evening Walked back from Rye. Electrician fix Light but not stove
Wednesday 19th June: Nice day at work but very miserable evening Mom came over with Mrs Bourner. told me G has been reported missing very very unhappy but hoping & hoping for the best.
Wednesday 14th August: Cut the Oats helped to stack it up in the fields, very hot. Mom came up in the evening & brought Dennis We danced in the barn as usual also Dennis. Air raids 2 & 3 times every day now. Bombs were dropped in Bexley avenue. Miss McGillvery & Matron of Plumpton came up.
Wednesday 28th August: Very busy harvesting have to rush. all cow shed work. Worked till 9-45 picking up oats Very tired & no dancing Had 6 air raids today. Shocks! Calder said I was as good as any man on the stack & I loaded the cart very well.
Wednesday 9th October: Helped cut sheeps feet. nasty job most of them bleed. bombs fell in Ore. Weighed milk in afternoon most cows up. Danced in barn in evening.
Saturday 28th December: Nothing exciting happened. having trouble with new calf he wont eat anything. Did some sowing in the evening. Was taken over bad was dreadfully sick.
Tuesday 31st December: Did not get up early. Had breakfast in bed. Feeling much better now. Washed up diary things in morning, then milked in afternoon. Calder says I can have month off, but have dicided to stay & try not to worry too much. must try to drown them. started well. went to dance in evening at Westfield. Joan was playing, felt very shacky on the legs. Came home in van. 1 o clock Very nice year in a way but wish it never was
1941
Sunday 12 January: Mucked about on Ice in morning Fred did quite well on skates. went home for evening. Took Mrs B some hose for birthday she had a letter & card from G. if only I had one. Bus was machine gunned on way Back
Friday 7th February: boys passed A1 Rushed with the work all day, & caught early bus. Had long gaw with girls in the shop. Pam & I went to pictures & saw “ The Great Dictator” Had a card from G. so very pleased.
Wednesday 12th February: Still lovely weather too good to be true. Went to Hollington in evening. Had fit of depression coming home. all this fun is so false. I long for a nice walk with the right person.
Saturday 19th April: Hurried in morning had to Register for war work went to pictures in evening (cycled) saw “ All this & Heaven too”. with Charles Bayer & Bette Davies.
Tuesday 27th May: Lime washed the cow sheds out, burnt my eye very painfull. feeling very depressed today. it is so lovely, & this rotton war keeps on.
1942
Sunday 18th January: Finished for morning 10.30 did some knitting. Went home in evening had to fill in forms for national service.
Friday 12th June: Mrs C has still not spoken so I have dicided to leave here must go & see Mrs Whistler next week.
Thursday 18th June: Gnat has milk fever had to fetch vet. Saw Mrs Whistler what a blow, she says she does not think I can leave here since they started conscripting women but she is going to find out for me.
Saturday 31st October: Had to register for fire watching. went to “Court Players” Eve. quite good. was to meet Dad there but he did not turn up.
Tuesday 17th November: Mom had her operation I do hope it will be successful Picked up potatoes in morning. Mrs Harris helped me milk in afternoon Crocus kicked her over. whole gang went on a bachelor spinster party together. I so wish it was my wedding eve.
Friday 4th December: Did the weekly shopping in the morn went to Hospital in afternoon & had terrible shock found Mom dangerously ill after relaps. Douglas arrived about 9 & Pop about 12. as Doctor had sent them wires.
Saturday 5th December: Spent the whole of last night at Hospital & all day today. Doctor gave me a letter for the Land Army asking for an extension on my leave. I do so hope & pray that Mother will get well again. but the Doctor seems very gloomy.
1943
Tuesday 6th April: Van refused to go on milk round so had to push it quite a way.cow kicked me in the eye & it is dreadfully swollen. went to bed early
Thursday 22nd April: All the land girls went home today till Tuesday & I have to work the whole time. worse luck. went to see Miss Fiest in evening. called in church it was lovely with flowers.
Tuesday 25th May: Rained again all day. went to fire meeting & then Daphne & I were on fire duty all night.
Wednesday 29th December: very cold today. but you keep warm working. Three land girls came up to Blacklands. sat & knitted.
1944
Wednesday 26th January: Thank goodness we did not have to get up during night. Horrid day raining all the time. went to a gas lecture in evening but feeling more like bed as have been sawing wood half the day
Wednesday 10th May: Still working full steam ahead. spent evening cleaning house for Mrs Bowley’s return. Wrote to L.A. for travel warrant.
Friday 19th May: Carting straw all day & cutting hay. getting hot again. Did all my packing in evening awfull lot of planes going over & bombs over in France, shook the house.
Friday 16th June: Dads birthday. not quite so hot , had hectic night, with no sleep. Hitler has started using pilot less planes & they buzzed around all night & our gun made such a noise firing at them. spent all day hoeing. wrote a letter & did sowing in evening.
Thursday 31st August: A rotten day rained quite hard on & off all day. spent whole day fencing. did a few odd jobs in evening. The war seems to be getting on a little faster now but not fast enough for me. Tuesday 5th December. Usual cattle work in morning. carried in hay in afternoon. went to a W.L.A. Rally in evening at Bexhill.
1945
