Mary Bott, nee Evans (1924-2022). Women's Land Army. Cardigan
Mary Bott, nee Evans, describes her experiences in the Women's Land Army during World War Two, recalling hard, labour-intensive work under harsh conditions, with some very interesting experiences along the way.
Born in London in 1924, Mary's parents were from Cardiganshire. Already staying in North Wales at the start of WW2 in September 1939, she remained in Wales for the duration of the war. Initially she worked for the Welsh Board of Health in Cardiff and then by 1944, having been ‘called up’, elected to join the Women’s Land Army and moved to Cardiganshire. During this period of her life which lasted for two years, Mary worked on farms in and around Llangeitho, Llanarth, Tresaith and Rhydlewis, finishing up at a farm in Penparcau by the war’s end.
Post-war, Mary remained in Ceredigion, becoming a primary school teacher and renowned community volunteer and fundraiser and receiving an MBE for her services to volunteering and the community.
