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Kathleen Faulkner, 83, from Harpole was determined to help the war effort after receiving news of what the men were going through on the battlefield. So, she and a friend decided to toss a coin to make a decision between Wren’s (Women’s Royal Navy service) and the Land Army.

The coin toss landed on Land Army; a coin toss she was to regret for some time…

In the week leading up to Christmas in 1940, aged 19; Kathleen travelled up from London to serve in the Women’s Land Army in South Northamptonshire. She served for the entirety of World War Two. Having lived in the city for a number of years, it was a real culture shock to be in the countryside and adapt to country life.

On VE Day, Kathleen was not to find out that war in Europe was over until 9:30pm. Her boss had agreed to pick her up after her days work. Waiting where he picked her up most days, time started to tick on and she was concerned as why he wasn’t there.

Two hours later, her boss’ brother turned up to collect her – full of apologies and drunk, having been in the local pub celebrating the news. She cried in fury of being left waiting and also relief of hearing that the war in Europe was over.

Kathleen had missed out on all the celebrations, but said she more than made up for it on VJ day!

Image: Kathleen ploughing fields in 1942

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