206721 Patricia Myrtle "Paddy" McGrath Women's Land Army My mother Patricia McGrath was a member of the Women's Land Army. During the war she lived and worked in London, but decided to leave the bombing behind and go to Nottinghamshire where a friend of her aunt had a farm, Fen Farm, just off the A1 near Newark. A city girl, Mum soon adapted to farm life with Mrs Knowles. She learnt all aspects of farming, but closest to her heart was looking after livestock, a love that stayed with her for the rest of her life. Fen Farm was near Balderton Aerodrome. I remember Mum telling me that one night there was bombing that caused a big fire on the airfield and Mum had to help move some cattle that were pastured near the fire.
Mum met my Dad, Tom Cook, whilst she was in the Land Army; they were married and set up home with a farm of their own. That farm is still in the family although Mum & Dad have both died. As a small child I remember Mum wearing bits of her Land Girl uniform, the trousers and the great coat. I regret not having any photos of her in it.
Mum rarely spoke of her life at Fen Farm and the small amount of information we did have was gleaned over a great length of time.
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