Set My Hand Upon The Plough

This memoir explores the life of E. M. Barraud in The Women's Land Army during WWII, revealing her identity and experiences on the Home Front.

In the recently rediscovered memoir Set My Hand Upon The Plough, E. M. Barraud offers a candid and honest portrayal of her experiences in The Women's Land Army during World War II. Leaving behind her disillusioned city life in London in 1939, Barraud moved to a village in Cambridgeshire, where she joined thousands of women working the land while war raged both at home and abroad. Her narrative reveals the resilience and determination of those who toiled in agriculture, often under challenging circumstances.

Barraud's memoir, first published in 1946, provides a unique perspective on life on the Home Front. She preferred to identify as male and was known to her fellow farm workers as John, living openly with her female partner. This aspect of her identity adds a significant layer to the narrative, highlighting the diverse experiences of individuals during a time of societal upheaval. Set My Hand Upon The Plough not only documents the struggles faced by women during the war but also sheds light on the complexities of gender identity in that era.

This new edition features an introduction by Luke Turner, author of Out of the Woods and Men at War, which contextualizes Barraud's work within the broader spectrum of LGBT memoirs. By bringing Set My Hand Upon The Plough back into the public eye, readers are invited to explore the lives of those who contributed to the liberation of Europe, offering a fresh perspective on history that is both poignant and enlightening.