Mary "Mollie" Frank
Land Army
from:Banstead, Surrey, England
My Mother, who's maiden name was Mary Frank was in The Women's Land Army, working for Mizens market gardeners at one of their farms on Reigate Road, Surrey. She now only has just a few recollections of that time, but prompted by the recent pre-publicity surrounding the issue of the Women's Land Army Badge, she wrote the following article which was published in the Western Morning News:
Land Girl badges
A few weeks ago you published an article about the Land Army Girls receiving a badge. I would very much like to receive one. I was a Land Girl on a farm near Epsom in Surrey, directly in the path of the German bombers to Biggin Hill aerodrome.
Unfortunately I got blown up by the first "doodlebug" dropped and lost hearing in one ear. As it was on soft soil the rest of me was OK! But nearby houses were demolished, and we were subjected to a lot shrapnel from own nearby guns.
If anyone can help me get the badge I would be very pleased. I am now 88 years old. My Land Girl Headquarters was at Guildford Surrey.
Mary Stidston
In fact when the bomb landed they all rushed to help the families in the houses hit, a difficult task I am told. She was covered in blood and a ambulance crew wanted to take her to hospital, but she wouldn't go. As it happens she was only suffering from a heavy nose bleed. So she cycled home to Banstead where her mother had heard about the bomb. But as she walked through the door her mother saw all the blood and immediately feinted!!
I would point out that we have now submitted an application for a badge for her.
It would be interesting to see if anyone else will recognise themselves in the photos.Mary is on the left in this photo
Mary is at the front, far left.
