police – The Social History Society

The British Police and Home Food Production in the Great War: Police as Ploughmen, 1917–1918

Posted: March 7, 2025

Mary Fraser, University of Glasgow mary.fraser.2@glasgow.ac.uk This so far untold story of the release of policemen into agriculture during the last two years of the First World War was a surprise! 1917 was the year of war weariness, when nothing seemed to go well for Britain: blockading started in earnest from February, a severe … Continued

“Police as Ploughmen”: temporary release to help farmers in the food crisis of First World War Britain

Posted: September 6, 2021

By Research_Editors

Mary Fraser, writingpolicehistory.blogspot.co.uk @drmaryfraser My new open access article for Cultural and Social History develops the surprising and, to date, untold story of the release of policemen across Britain to help farmers plough the fields. Britain faced starvation in March 1917 due to the German blockade which sank increasing numbers of ships bringing essential foodstuffs. … Continued