A LOT has been said and written about the feelings of companionship that sprung out of fighting in the Second World War.

But among women of a certain age, up and down the country, memories of a more gentle kind predominate.

In 1940, city girls went to work on farms whose workers had been called up into the forces. The young women were officially in the Women's Land Army, and were known as the Land Girls

Sylvia Harper from Bel-vedere joined up with the girls in 1944, at a farm at Redwell, near Ightham.

"I couldn't wait to join up," said Sylvia. "I was 17, and I wanted so desperately to wear the smart uniform.

In such an intense environment, love flourished.

A recent Channel Four film told the tale of three land girls happily seduced by a handsome farmer.

But according to Sylvia Harper, the older woman who looked after them, called Matron, was far too strict for that type of activity.

It was hard work. The day started at 5am with a spartan breakfast. Then they got stuck into hoeing and lopping, or planting and fruit picking, depending on the time of year.

But for many, the time spent on the farms were the happiest days of their lives.

Sylvia said: "When we left the Land Army, we were like lost souls. I never got over leaving my life at Redwell."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.