FORMER land girls from Ryedale have at last received official recognition of their efforts during the Second World War.

Last week thousands of pensioners, who toiled in fields while the men were at war, were awarded medals commemorating their part in the fight against Germany.

It has taken the Government more than 60 years to recognise the crucial role played by members of the Women’s Land Army during the dark years of world conflict.

Now 1,700 pensioners from Yorkshire have received their badges of honour which bear the proud emblem of the organisation.

One of the many local recipients, Mrs Pauline Davidson, from Norton, is delighted with the medal which arrived through the post last week.

Along with a certificate signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, she is pleased that the work of the women has been remembered by politicians.

The 86-year-old said: “I worked for four years on Major Gilliam’s estate in North Grimston, mainly looking after the cows and pigs.

“It was hard work and any spare time I did have I would be digging and planting in the vegetable garden. All we knew was work.

“They were great days and there was great camaraderie along us women.

“I’m chuffed to bits with the medal and we definitely deserve it for what we did. It’s a nice thing to leave for the great grandchildren to remind them about their own history.” Last Wednesday, 50 land girls from across the country, including five from Yorkshire, travelled to Downing Street where they met the Prime Minister and were later presented with their medals by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

One of the local women who also received the badge of honour was Mrs Mary Appleby from Sherburn, near Malton. Growing up in West Lutton, as soon as she turn 17 she joined the land army and went to work on a nearby estate in Wintringham.

She said: “We had to do all the men’s work which was tough. Later in my service I looked after sheep setting nets for them and we had to carry the animals on our backs.

“After the war I continued to work on the land for the next 17 years until it got too much.

“When I look back I can remember I was always hungry and we never got enough to eat. But we got pleasure in work – I suppose we had no option!”

Members of the Timber Corps – also a part of the land army – have also been honoured by the Government.

Known affectionately as “Lumber Jills” these young women would work in local forestries keeping the nation supplied with wood.

Marjorie Wenderby from Pickering who worked in the Timber Corps during the war was delighted with the badge.

The 82-year-old said she will wear it with pride on Remembrance Day.

“It’s a lovely medal and we even got a message from Gordon Brown,” she said.

“It was more than 60 years since I left the Timber Corps – so it’s better late than never!”