A Sanctuary resident is delighted to have been honoured by the Prime Minister for her work in the Women’s Land Army.

Rosina Chappell, who has lived at Beane River View sheltered scheme in Hertford for 11 years, is thrilled to have finally been recognised for her contribution during the Second World War.

Five months after sending off her application, the grandmother-of-four received her badge and a letter from the Prime Minister yesterday morning.

“It took a long time - over 60 years. I said I’d like to wear it with pride before it’s too late and at last it’s here,” said the 83-year-old.

“I think I’m entitled to it. There are already thousands dead that would have got it and there can’t be many of us about now.”

Mrs Chappell worked for the Women’s Land Army in Didcot, Berkshire for two years, doing exhausting jobs such as ploughing, cutting back trees, digging and milking cows.

“Anything that needed doing we were called,” she added.

“It was very hard work – it was back breaking.”

Janis Dell, scheme manager at Beane River View, said: “I was over the moon because it had taken so long to arrive I think she thought they had forgotten about her.”

By 1943 there were around 80,000 land girls working in agriculture to feed the nation while the men were at war.

They have never officially been recognised, until this year when they were invited to apply for a badge.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs received over 30,000 applications from surviving land girls.