Nellie Wright

“My wonderful Grandmother Miss Nellie Wright (later Mrs Nellie Evans), was born in Wednesbury, West Midlands in August 1899 and served in the Women’s Forestry Service sometime during 1917 and 1918.

At first, she was based at a timber yard in Moreton in the Marsh, but later transferred to another yard located at Shab Hill, Birdlip near Cheltenham.  Whilst based at Birdlip, she lodged at 110 Fairview Road, Cheltenham, which was the home of my Great Grandparents and my Grandfather, Reginald.  I can only assume that my Grandparents met during a period of Reginald’s leave from the front.

For quite a long time, I incorrectly believed that Nellie was a Sergeant in the Women’s Land Army, as the following photograph shows her wearing an armband with three stripes on it.  However, further research has revealed that she was serving in the Women’s Forestry Service and the armlet with stripes on it was a type of ‘good service badge’, depicting the length of time and the minimum number of hours worked.  They were normally presented after three months proficient service.”

General Information

First Name(s): Nellie

Unmarried Surname: Wright

Married Surname: Evans (1921)

Date of Birth: August 1899

Place of Birth: West Bromwich

Date Joined WFS: Forestry Late 1917 or early 1918

Date Left WFS: Late 1918 or early 1919

Employment

Employed by: Mrs Williams, Lerage Lodge, Adbaston, Staffordshire

Date with employer: August 1918 to 1919-20

Nellie lodged with Mr and Mrs Charles Evans at No. 110 Fairview Road, Cheltenham, Glos when she worked at a Timber Yard at Shab Hill, Birdlip near Cheltenham.

Worked at: Timber Yard at Moreton in Marsh, Glos and Timber Yard at Shab Hill, Birdlip, Nr. Cheltenham Glos during 1918

Life After War

Nellie always loved gardening, but didn’t work as she brought up three children. Nellie stayed in Cheltenham for the rest of her life.

Contributor Details

Name: Wayne Finch

Relationship to Land Girl: Grandson