Farming has always been a vital
part of our community, and as we mark the centenary of the armistice to end the
fighting in World War One, it is fitting that we remember those who kept our
farming industry thriving during the Great War.
In his wonderful book Tynedale in the Great War, Brian Tilley
tells the story of the people who worked on our local farms. Farmhands and
agricultural workers were needed on the frontline, so the Government set up a
scheme to allocate prisoners of war to work on farms, replacing the men who had
gone to fight. These prisoners of war were usually Austrian or Hungarian and
were paid the same rate as English farmhands, with a deduction for board and
lodgings. They were not allowed to travel more than five miles from the
farmhouse, however they were generally friendly to the Allies and undoubtedly
played an important role in keeping the farming industry going during the war.
Women also filled the farming roles left vacant by men leaving to fight. The
way in which members of the local community took on these roles makes clear how
the war effort went beyond the frontline, changing the lives of those back home
as well. It is so important that we remember them all.
I recommend buying a copy of Tynedale in the Great War by Brian
Tilley. The book is available from Forum Books in Corbridge and elsewhere- it
is a truly fascinating read.
