Betty McCarthy (née Parker)
General Information
![Betty Parker portraits](https://usercontent.one/wp/www.womenslandarmy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Betty-Parker-portraits.jpg)
First Name(s): Betty Louise
Unmarried Surname: Parker
Married Surname: McCarthy
Date of Birth: 26/5/1920
Place of Birth: Leyton
Date Joined WLA: 31st August 1942-18th January 1946.
Pre-war occupation: Cardboard box maker
WLA number: 92048
Family’s reaction to joining: Surprised, I think, because Mum had no experience of countryside life (born and lived in East London) and was shy in temperament.
Employment
Private farmer, 1942-1946 in Ringwood, Hampshire. Worked with Grace ‘Kroese’ (married name) who married a US soldier and emigrated to California. Mum exchanged letters with her every Christmas for rest of her life.
Life after the war
After the war, worked in Woolworth’s, Barkingside.
My mother showed a great interest in gardening (until she got too ill to cope) and grew many of the vegetables required by the family. I am sure that this was influenced by her time in the WLA.
I think it is sad that Mum didn’t live to see the later recognition given to Land Army girls (she died in 1992).
Contributor Information
Name: Colin John McCarthy
Relationship to Land Girl: Son
![Betty Parker with her colleague. Betty is at the front, third from the left, holding a pitch-fork! c.1944](https://usercontent.one/wp/www.womenslandarmy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Betty-Parker-and-colleagues.jpg)