Surrey Women War Workers: Demonstration at Cross Farm, Shackleford

Grinning WWI land girls plough a large field in a competitive demonstration of their farming skills.

Smiles and laughter abound in these energetic scenes showing members of the Women's Land Army (WLA) in action. The WLA was established in 1917 by the Board of Agriculture, and thousands of women volunteered - and about half of the early applicants were rejected. The film makes it clear just how fit the workers had to be cope with life on the farm.