THE BATTLE FOR WHEAT

The Women’s Timber Corps had helped reduce our reliance on imported timber from Canada and Scandinavia by half by 1945 - 96% in 1939 to barely 50% by the time war ended.

Contribution

They also completed much of the essential re-planting needed to sustain the industry for future generations. Post-war, some WTC were considered experienced enough to be sent to Germany to salvage equipment from abandoned sawmills, and many chose to remain in the industry.

The valuable contribution they made to the war effort on Britain’s Home Front, living in conditions few of us can comprehend, was amazing.

Then, as now, we should all remember by opting to work hard, planting, felling and harvesting timber, theirs is a vital component of our country’s overall economy.

Tooth and nail

There was never any doubt that women in agriculture and forestry, as well as those volunteering to work in hospitals, civil defence, and factories or any of the armed forces, were expected to play