The PM, Lloyd George wrote ‘Of all the problems which governments had to handle during the Great War, the most delicate and the most perilous were those arising on the home front …’
At the outbreak of war Britain was still in an era of shire horses and farm labourers. Food supplies were vulnerable as we imported 60% of all grain. The posters were grim. S-O-S Save-or-Starve. On the German home front the ‘Great War’ ended in starvation and social revolution. But in Britain WWI would also bring about changes that would alter our agriculture and landscape forever.
One third of the agricultural labour force enlisted. 170,000 men from hamlets, villages and market towns like Acton Scott had to be replaced. 98,000 women were put to work on the land.
But as the war ground on, the shortage of labour became ever more acute. 500 fit young men in the Shrewsbury prisoner-of-war camp were far too precious not to put to productive use. In Shropshire, agricultural labour camps in groups of 15-20 men were established in Bromfield, Clee Hill, Cleobury Mortimer, Corfton, and Ellesmere.
Where a farmer could provide a dormitory and kitchen, PoWs were also used in ones and twos,. The men would walk to work each morning and return in the evening. Work details of 10 men with two guards would also leave by train. After the harvest some work parties were withdrawn, but many worked until repatriation in 1919.
Acton Scott Heritage Farm
Tucked away in the Shropshire Hills is the ancient village of Acton Scott and here you’ll find the Heritage Farm. Visitors are encouraged to come and experience its timeless appeal and in so doing help preserve it for future generations.
The farm has long provided the opportunity to become familiar with the country life of yesteryear. Its has recently re-opened to the public – details of its opening time can be found here.
Acton Scott achieved national television fame as the setting for BBC 2’s ratings success story ‘Victorian Farm’ which was accompanied by a best selling book, the estate went on to provide the film location for ‘Ben Fogle’s Escape in Time’ . In 2011, Acton Scott featured in a brand new television series ‘Making Britain Count’, presented by Phil Tufnell, and was also be seen on the BBC’s popular ‘Escape to the Country’ series.