88/50/2

One of two pairs of shorts adapted from old bib and brace overalls, made of khaki drill. They were worn by a Women’s Land Army member. The shorts were not considered to be correct uniform but they were practical in the summer. This practice was not approved by the authorities.

1 pair of shorts: drill material

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: SHORTS // Accession number: 88/50/1 & 2 // Classification: PERSONAL clothing garment // Negative number: 60/15750, 15757 // Acquisition method: GIFT // Acquired from: [...] AMPHILL, BEDFORD // Date: 14 June 1988 // Store: // Condition: fair - well used // Recorder: JMB // Date: 10.3.89 // Description: WOMEN'S LAND ARMY UNIFORM // Two pairs of shorts adapted from old bib and brace overalls. Made of khaki drill. They have pockets and belt loops and have been repaired. There is a green belt with one of the shorts. No labels remain. // Dimensions: Length: 40 cm and 50 cm // Associated information: The shorts were not considered to be correct uniform but were a sensible way to make use of old overalls and were very practical in the summer. This practice was not approved by the authorities! // References:', MERL miscellaneous note, Georgia Charitou, September 2014 – Objects 88/44-66 form part of the Doreen Thorp Collection of material relating to the Women’s Land Army. The collection consists of papers relating to the career or Doreen Thorp in the W.L.A. from 1939-47, as well as items of clothing which form part of a W.L.A. uniform. ‘, Transcription of information about Doreen Thorp – ‘Mrs. N. D. Warren (nee Thorp) 13.6.1923 – 3.1.1988. // In September 1939 I joined the Women’s Land Army and in October I started two months training at the Midland Agricultural College in poultry, milking (hand & machine), stock and general farm work.’, Photocopy of Printed Report - 'Hands On Learning with Reading Museum Service // Women's Land Army H542 // Shorts // Shorts like these were not considered to be part of the official uniform, in fact, the authorities didn't approve of them at all! [...]'

1939 - 1947