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Land girls make a splash

Joy Williams

Last updated: 27 April 2006

Joy Williams from Amlwch joined the Land Girls and never looked back.

"The Land Army didn't end with the war, it finished the day Huw and I were married, 28 October 1950. I'm originally from Hartlepool and I joined in 1948 and was stationed in Stratford Upon Avon for 12 months before I was sent to Anglesey to work on a farm - pick potatoes, make hay, threshing, everything like that. I really enjoyed it.

Most girls took to it, it was hard work but there was a lot of camaraderie, everyone helped each other. We all lived in a hostel in Llanerchymedd - it was lovely, all girls together.

Amlwch was very small at that time, old fashioned for a girl from the big town. We used to have a van come to Amlwch every Sunday for the Catholic girls to go to the church and those that didn't go went swimming in the harbour! I went too - and it was freezing and horrible. When I see all the rubbish in the bottom now I wonder how I could do it!

We wore those old fashioned, woollen costumes that you think might keep you warm, but which used to sag! But I had one with sheering elastic so it wasn't that bad.

A lot of the local lads were about and we were lasses, so we did crazy things like that. They'd send a truck down from Llanddeusant or Ty Croes army camps to go to the dances. We got on really well with the locals.

We mostly worked on a potato farm, where I met Huwie. He was the tractor driver and I was the land girl! We used to plant the potatoes, pick the daffodils, then harvest the 200 acres of potatoes.

We lived at Plas Llugwy farm, Moelfre, when we were first married. There's an old Roman camp there and an ancient chapel.

We started up this society with Mrs Powell over 40 years ago. I hadn't long passed my test and at that time transport was a problem, so I'd bring in a few people in my car. Then I'd go home until it was time to come and pick them up. I didn't stay because I didn't like it, didn't think it was my forte, but one day they were short of help making the tea so I had to stay - and I found out that I liked it.

I've taken a group of 20 to Blackpool on holiday with just another two helpers! It was hard work, but worthwhile.

I'm on the voluntary register in Llangefni and used to do a lot when I was younger - I did a summer run with the minibus once, picking the kids up and taking them to Ysgol y Bont, fitting it in around the family.

We have three children, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren and lots live very near so I'm kept busy.

My husband is very much into farming shows and I am the chief cook and bottlewasher and if it's raining I get that many tractor drivers under my awning I can't move! I refuse to clean or oil the tractors, just make all the cups of tea - leave the dirty work to the boys!

Amlwch has grown a lot and I don't think it's as friendly as it was. When we first moved here we knew everyone, but we only know those in our own circle of friends now - but I suppose it's like that everywhere now. But I couldn't imagine living anywhere else; I couldn't go back to a big town away from the sea."



your comments

Ruby Roberts , Amlwch
thank you joy for story of your past. i am glad that you have been happy here in amlwch. but i think you and huw would have been happy anywhere, it is all down to what sort of people your are, and you and huw are lovely.
Fri Mar 23 09:46:33 2007

Emma Griffiths, Amlwch
Joy Williams lives next door but one to me and she is a very hard working woman. She's a really kind and faithful person. Her husband Huw is a gentleman. He is very good with his tractors, and both of them look well for their age.
Thu Jul 20 09:32:39 2006

Sue Roffe, Cirencester
My parents met at Ty Croes army camp during the war, and I would love to have a photo of the former camp. Does anyone have one?
Fri May 12 12:18:43 2006

Dave Williams llanfairpwll
are there any other land army girls out there if so please get in touch Joy would love to chat to all concerned
Mon Feb 13 15:07:44 2006

Rachelle Williams, Bangor
Found out some things I never knew about Nana!
Tue Dec 20 11:24:57 2005

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