A well known Timsbury lady has just received a medal and certificate from the government to mark her work in the land army during the Second World War. Rhona Moxham who has recently celebrated her 84th birthday worked for the Tibbs family on Curls farm in Chew Magna which was part of the Stratchey Estate from 1941 until the end of hostilities. She also took part in the Victory Parade in Bath and met the young Princess Elizabeth who was later to become Queen.
The certificate signed by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said, “The Government wishes to express to you its profound gratitude for your unsparing efforts as a loyal and devoted member of the Women’s Land Army at a time when our country depended upon you for its survival”.
Miss Moxham who has worked with animals all her life carried out all the general farming duties including milking the cows by hand and helping with the haymaking.
She said, “In the dark winter months we had to milk the cows by hurricane lanterns and had to be careful when opening doors because of the blackout restrictions”.
Even before being enlisted for war work she had been employed at Mill Farm Priston and later assisted local farmers Jack Russell and Colin Keeling and has been a regular visitor to markets throughout the area. The Moxham family were active as blacksmiths at The Forge at Timsbury from 1833 until 1953 at which time blacksmiths were not so readily required.
Rhona with her medal and certificate
Report and photograph by Malcolm Tucker
(September)
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Published: 01/9/2010
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