Britain's first memorial to 5000 members of the Women's Timber Corps was unveiled today (Wednesday October 10 2007) at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Aberfoyle, in the heart of central Scotland.
Michael Russell, Scotland's Environment Minister, unveiled a life-sized bronze sculpture of a 'Lumberjill' which will provide a lasting tribute to the women who stepped up to the mark to manage the country's forests during the war.
Women were recruited to the Women's Timber Corps (WTC) - part of the Women's Land Army - during World War Two and posted throughout Britain. Many were sent to remote areas of Scotland, where they lived for months in spartan conditions, whilst they ensured that timber supplies were kept in steady supply, felling trees, loading lorries and sawmilling timber.
After the war, the WTC was disbanded in August 1946, and each member handed back her uniform and received a letter from HRH , Queen Elizabeth. The sculpture is an official recognition of their hard work and efforts during the war.
