This film is part of Free
Women Work While Men Fight
British women didn't sit idly at home while their men fought in WWI – they got stuck in to useful work
Overview
Digging beds and potting seeds - vital skills for the women of a nation at war. These smartly dressed women are learning how to grow crops at the Glynde School for Lady Gardeners near Lewes in East Sussex. The school was founded by Frances Garnet Wolseley in 1905, and the lessons may appear very genteel, but the skills imparted there became of national importance after the outbreak of WWI. As increasing numbers of men went to fight, farm labour was in short supply.
The Women's Land Army was founded by the Board of Agriculture in 1915 to make up for the labour lost when men were sent to the front, and the government put a lot of effort into recruiting land girls. During WWI, as with the Dig for Victory campaign of WWII, householders were also encouraged to grow food crops in their private gardens to combat the wartime food shortages.
Related
Patrol in the Desert Patrol in the Desert
Non-Fiction 1915 3 mins Silent
Shades of Lawrence of Arabia in a worn but often beautiful film of WWI desert exercises in Egypt.
Outposts of Empire Outposts of Empire
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent
British troops try to coax and cajole their pack animals on to a military supply train, but they're stubborn as mules...
Anti-German War Cartoons Anti-German War Cartoons
Trick film 1915 5 mins Silent
Follow the lightning-quick hand of the artist behind a series of comic cartoon sketches poking fun at the enemy during WWI.
Preston and District Roll of Honour, 6th, 7th, 5th Series Preston and District Roll of Honour, 6th, 7th, 5th Series
Non-Fiction 1915 14 mins Silent
A rare surviving WWI memorial film, featuring poignant images of men killed or injured serving in the armed forces.
Little Pippin Little Pippin
Drama 1915 14 mins Silent
An abandoned baby girl is found in an apple barrel and adopted by a humble grocer in this sentimental wartime fiction.
In Ancient Sussex In Ancient Sussex
Non-Fiction 1915 7 mins Silent Location: Chichester
Attractive travelogue exploring famous old Sussex landmarks, taking in views including Chichester, Lewes, Arundel and Bosham.
Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.
Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.
Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.
Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.
Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.
Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.