2006/63

Tootal Broadhurst Lee Co Ltd (Manufacturer)

This is a tie from the uniform of the Women's Land Army. It belonged to the donor, who was a member of the WLA from April 1942 until December 1946. The tie was not a standard issue, but was made by the firm Tootal, and they liked to wear them as they felt it 'brightened up' their shirts.

1 tie: material

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – '1 Women's Landy Army tie'., Letter, Lucy Shanks to Mr Phillips, 16 October 2006 – ‘I am writing this in case I miss you but I wanted to explain about the arm bands. When one first joined the WLA you were given a plain arm band but the longer you served, the bands became more decorated. We were issued with the half diamonds after every 6 months on the land, please see enclosed the letter from the County Secretary. Although she suggested sewing them on to the armbands I seem to remember we made a wider band that we wore on our greatcoat sleeve, a sort of status symbol!! I collected quite a few during the 4 ½ years service. // The tie was not standard issue but was brought out by the Tootal firm and we liked to wear it as we felt it brightened up our [?] shirts. I hope you will be able to find space for the oddments with the other WLA collectable items etc. I enjoyed my Land Army days but I was one of the lucky for many reasons.’, WLA Release Certificate – ‘Women’s Land Army (England & Wales) // Release Certificate // The Women’s Land Army for England and Wales acknowledges with appreciation the services given by // Miss L. M. Fidler // who has been an enrolled member for the period from // 29. 4. 1942 to 31. 12. 1946 // and has this day been granted a willing release. // Date December 31st. 1946’, Letter, County Secretary to Miss Fidler – ‘Berkshire County Committee of the Women’s Land Army // Dear Miss Fidler, // It gives me much pleasure to send you the enclosed Good Service Badge, which is awarded for six months’ satisfactory employment on the land. This should be sewn on to your armlet.’

1942 - 1946