Page 2 - Life in Langham 1914-1919

Agriculture

In 1914, Langham was a largely agricultural community with most

villagers working wholly or partly on the land. The 1911 census listed

seventeen farmers, eight graziers, four dairymen, one shepherd,

four cowmen, thirty agricultural labourers and one threshing machine
contractor. There were also gardeners and grooms.

Matkins Almanac 1914 lists the farmers as: Messrs Harris,

Hollingshead, Hubbard, Mantle, Royce, G Sharman, L Sharman,

E Smith, W Smith, Squires, Williamson. Col Brocklehurst,

Maj Dawson and Mr OH Smith were listed as landowners.

Listed as graziers were: Messrs Almond (also coal dealer), Edgson,

Harris, Isaac (also Post Office), Needham (also publican),

Nourish (also threshing contractor), Revell (also dairyman),

Rouse (also taxidermist), Rudkin, Sewell (also blacksmith),

Gale-Sewell, Smith.

In common with the rest of the county and country, many men

were lost to agriculture as they joined up.

The Defence of the Realm Act gave the government the power to take

over land for food production, Plough Up Pasture for Crop Planting, though

the loss of pasture land was unpopular with many farmers,

particularly where they knew the land was likely to be unproductive.

A War Agricultural

Committee was set up in

every county to assist

farmers. In Rutland the

committee arranged for

soldier labour and the

provision of tractors.

Mr Thomas Hacking was
the Agricultural Organiser

for Leicestershire and

Rutland. There are

mentions in the Minutes of

him attending Langham

Parish Council meetings

where he dispensed advice.

Some men who were unfit for military service, or invalided out,

were employed in farm work. One of these was probably

Pte John Abbot of Chesham, Buckinghamshire who came to
Langham, worked on the land, married a local girl and remained

until his death in 1962.

Everyone was encouraged to produce more food and
the demand for allotments increased.