96/76/1

All Work and Low Pay: The story of women and work, Reading University College: WW1 and Beyond, Thinking Rationally?

One of a series of service armbands in different colours and made of felt, which were worn as part of the uniform of the Women's Land Army (WLA). This armband is yellow with green edges, and bears a crown and six diamonds. It was given after six years of service in the WLA. The armband belonged to the donor's half sister, Miss P. Genever, who was a member of the WLA 1942-1950.

1 W. L. A. armband: felt; good condition

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: ARMBAND // Accession number: 96/76/1-4 // Classification: PERSONAL Clothing accessory // Negative number: 60/16569 // Acquisition method: GIFT // Acquired from: Mr N. F. KEW ... // Date: Summer 1996 // Store: [insert] small object [end insert] // Condition: good // Recorder: JMB // Date: 17.4.97 // Description: 4 W.L.A. Service armbands made of felt and fastened by two buttons: (1) Yellow with green edges. Crown & 6 diamonds + WLA in green [insert] 6 years service [end insert] // (2) Red band with crown and 4 diamonds + WLA in green [insert] 4 years service [end insert] // (3) Dark green band with red edges. Crown & 2 diamonds + WLA in red. // (4) Yellow band with green middle. This has red edges plus a raised crown. The figure 8 & WLA in gold [insert] 8 years service? [end insert] // Dimensions: Length: 36.0 cm Width (1)-(3) 7.5 cm (4) 9.0 cm // Associated information: see 96/75 [insert] - This reads 'Part of a collection of WLA badges and papers belonging to Miss P. GENEVER who was a member of the W.L.A. from 1942 to 1950. Miss genever was half-sister of the donor. The papers that came with these objects 96/75-79 are accessioned in the archive catalogue mark D DX232.' [end insert] // References:', Letter, Jill Betts to Mr N. F. Kew, 21 January 1998 – '...Dear Mr. Kew, // On behalf of the Rural History Centre I would like to thank you for donating the Womens' Land Army badges and papers to us. // They are a valuable addition to our collections and have been accessioned with the following numbers. Badges: 96/75-79 and the papers: D DX 232. // Yours sincerely // Mrs J M Betts', MERL OLIB database note – 'Each armband signifies the following number of years service in the WLA: 1) six years service; 2) four years service; 3) two years service; 4) eight years service(?).'

1939-09-01 - 1945-09-02

Second World War