Gertrude Denman - Infinite Women

This biography, written by Lisa Hinkins, is shared with permission from Brighton & Hove Museums.

Born: 7 November 1884, United Kingdom
Died: 2 June 1954
Country most active: Australia
Also known as: Baroness Denman, Gertrude Pearson

Today’s Pioneering Women of Sussex blog is written by Museum Assistant Lisa Hinkins. Lisa celebrates the incredible Lady Denman, director of the Women’s Land Army during the Second World War, and President of the Women’s Institute from 1917 – 1946.
Raised in an openly feminist and politically active house, Gertrude Mary Denman (1884-1954) recognised very early in life that her family wealth and status in society must be used to serve the greater good of the community. Her home, Balcombe Place, near Haywards Heath would become the Women’s Land Army administrative headquarters through the duration of World War II. She was given the house by her father, Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdry as a wedding present in 1905.
Gertrude, (known as “Trudie” in close circles), was married to Thomas Denman (1874-1954), 3rd Baron Denman and fifth governor-general of Australia (1911-1914). During her time abroad she held many national and international leadership roles within women’s organisations. She represented a growing exchange of progressive ideas regarding women’s place and roles within society.
In Britain, after serving as chairman of the subcommittee of the Agricultural Organisation Society, Lady Denman helped found the Women’s Institutes (WI) in 1916. The institutes became self-governing when under Lady Denman’s supervision the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) was formed in 1917. She was elected its first president and was re-elected to this position every year until her retirement in 1946.

WORLD WAR I
“Trudie” was no ‘Lady of Leisure,’ she was a true non-conforming woman, ignoring society expectations. As president of the NFWI and then assistant director of the Women’s Land Army (WLA) during World War I, she worked hard to demonstrate to women of all classes what it meant to be “women of action.”
Recognising the importance of maintaining food supplies during wartime, Lady Denman and these organisations urged housewives both urban and rural to conserve food, can fruit and vegetables and sell surplus produce. During WWI, the Women’s Land Army provided the much-needed labour on farms as young men were sent to fight on the front-line. This multi-level action aided food production for the nation. It also served to heighten female political and social activism. Utilizing labour shortages by assigning women these jobs demonstrated their abilities and gave momentum for the need for global female suffrage. In 1933 Lady Denman was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).

LAND GIRLS
With the advent of World War II, a Register for Employment Order was issued in England for women aged 18-45 to sign up for jobs. At this point the country had been importing 70% of its food. Once again, the Women’s Land Army was called upon to help feed the nation. These hard-working women became affectionately known as the Land Girls. Lady Denman was elevated to director of the WLA and arranged Balcombe Place as its headquarters. Up until the end of WWII, over 200,000 women served in the WLA. Many made life-long friendships with one and other. They supported each other during a period of uncertainty and upheaval – numerous women left urban homes to live in WLA hostels in rural areas or live on the farms where they were employed.
Once demobbed after the end of WWII, these audacious women felt ignored. They received letters of thanks from the then Queen Elizabeth but received no economic support in recognition of their contribution of service from the British Government. In gratitude for its members tireless service the WLA held a Christmas party, where Lady Denman received rapturous cheers and applause. She later resigned as the WLA director in protest and disgust for the disrespect her members received from the government. Despite this, in 1951 she was made a Dame Grand Cross (GBE).
In 2008 the Women’s Land Army was finally given the official recognition from the Government of their service and contribution to the war effort and awarded a commemorative badge.