Bevin Boys Badges
PART 1
Bevin Boys
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bevin Boys were young British men conscripted to work in the coal mines of the United Kingdom, from December 1943 until 1948[1]. Chosen at random from conscripts but also including volunteers, nearly 48,000 Bevin Boys performed vital but largely unrecognised service in the mines, many not being released until years after the war. 10% of all conscripts 18-25 were picked for this service.
Creation of the programme
The programme was named after Ernest Bevin, a former trade union official and then British Labour Party politician who was Minister of Labour and National Service in the wartime Coalition government. At the beginning of the war the Government, underestimating the value of experienced coal-miners, conscripted them into the armed forces. By mid-1943 the coal mines had lost 36,000 workers, and these workers were generally not replaced due to the availability of cleaner work. It became evident that the miners needed to be replaced. The government made a plea to men liable to conscription to volunteer to work in the mines instead, but few offered and the shortage continued.
When December arrived and Britain was becoming desperate for a continued supply of coal for both the war effort and a winter at home, it was decided that a percentage of conscripts would be directed to the mines. The colloquial name "Bevin Boys" came from the speech Bevin made announcing the scheme:
"... We need 720,000 men continuously employed in this industry. This is where you boys come in. Our fighting men will not be able to achieve their purpose unless we get an adequate supply of coal."
The programme
Selection of conscripts
To make the process random, one of Bevin's secretaries would each week pull a digit from a hat containing all ten digits, 0-9, and all men liable for call-up that week whose National Service number ended in that digit were directed to work in the mines, with the exception of any selected for highly skilled war work such as flying planes and in submarines, and men found physically unfit for mining. Conscripts came from different professions, from desk work to heavy labour, and included those who might otherwise have become commissioned officers.
Working conditions
The Bevin Boys were first given 6 weeks of training (4 off-site, 2 on) before working in the mines. The work was typical coal mining, largely a mile or more down dark, dank tunnels, and conscripts were supplied with helmets and steel-capped safety boots. Bevin Boys did not wear uniforms or badges, but the oldest clothes they could find. Being of military age and without uniform caused many to be stopped by police and questioned about avoiding call-up.[citation needed]
Since a number of conscientious objectors were sent to work down the mines as an alternative to military service, there was sometimes an assumption that all Bevin Boys were "Conchies", and, although the right to conscientiously object to killing was recognised in conscription legislation, as it had been in the First World War, old attitudes of discrimination still prevailed amongst some members of the general public, with resentment by association towards Bevin Boys. In 1943 UK Government minister Ernest Bevin said in Parliament: There are thousands of cases in which conscientious objectors, although they may have refused to take up arms, have shown as much courage as anyone else in Civil Defence. The Peace Movement 1940-49
End of the programme
The programme was wound up in 1948. At that time the Bevin Boys received no medals, nor the right to return to the jobs they had held previously, unlike armed forces personnel. Bevin Boys were not fully recognised as contributors to the war effort until 1995, 50 years after VE Day, in a speech by Queen Elizabeth II.
On 20 June 2007 Tony Blair informed the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions that thousands of conscripts who worked down mines in World War II would receive an honour. The prime minister told the Commons the Bevin Boys would be rewarded with a Veterans Badge similar to the HM Armed Forces Badge awarded by the Ministry of Defence.[2]
The first badges were awarded on 25 March 2008 by the Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) at a reception at 10 Downing Street, marking the 60th anniversary of the last Bevin Boys being discharged.
Responsibility within Government for the Bevin Boys lies with the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
PART 2
Bevin Boy Badge Questions and Answers
Who is eligible?
The Badge is being given to all survivors who either through compulsion or volunteering worked in the mines rather than serving in the armed forces under the Bevin Boys scheme. The widows of men who died on or after 20 June 2007 and fall into the above category will also be eligible.
Why are all widows or estates not eligible?
The Bevin Boys Badge is a survivors badge and the intention is that it should be worn in public to visibly raise awareness of the important role they played during World War Two and in the postwar reconstruction of the UK. Due to the time it has taken to implement the Badge the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has decided all Bevin Boys who were surviving on or after 20 June 2007, when the Badge was announced, are included.
Why are miners who were forced, as mining was a reserved occupation, to stay in the pits not eligible?
The existing miners who stayed down the mine played a key role in the war effort however the purpose of this badge is to recognise those who were selected or volunteered as part of the Bevin Boys scheme. Although miners who were already employed in the pits also made a similar contribution they were not part of this process.
Will other nonarmed forces war time occupations, such as members of the Land Army, receive similar badges?
This is a Government award which, because of Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reforms responsibility for the coal industry, they are introducing. This badge has been introduced to recognise the contribution of the Bevin Boys following wide spread political and media support for an award to officially recognise their efforts. Other groups, like the Land Army, nurses and Merchant Seaman, received a badge or uniform during their time of service or subsequently. In addition they are remembered nationally in other ways, for example the Women at War memorial in Whitehall. Bevin boys did not receive a badge and were not allowed to wear a uniform during their time of service. This is the first time that individual Bevin Boys have received recognition of their status.
How long will it take to process applications?
The first Badges will be issued in March 2008 and there will be a rolling process from then on. The time taken to issue individual Badges is dependant on the number of applications received.
Why is there no Crown on the Badge?
The presence of a Crown on a Badge is to signify Crown Service. Generally speaking, Crown servants are employees whose;
Offices or employments are carried out under the Crown;
Duties of employment are of a public nature; or
Salaries are paid out of the public funds of the UK or Northern Ireland.
The Bevin Boys worked for and were paid by the individual collieries or mining companies that owned those collieries. While some of them may have been conscripted to mine work through a Government Departmental initiative they did not work for the crown.
Who should potential applicants contact if they have any questions?
Any queries pre application or regarding the policy should be made to Jeremy Cousins at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on 020 7215 6145 or Bay 137, 1 Victoria Street., London SW1 0ET. Any queries regarding the processing of an application should be made to the SPVA.
Eligibility Criteria
Date of Birth
Bevin Boys were called up between 1943 and 1945 and were aged 18 25 so dates of birth should range from 1918 to 1927.
Call up date, if a ballottee
Bevin Boys were called up between 1943 and 1945.
Period of training
Will have commenced between 1944 and 1945 and should last 6 weeks.
Colliery trained in
Training was carried out at one of 13 pits. These are:
Scotland Muircockhall (Fife)
Northern Old Morrison (Durham)
Northern Horden (Durham)
Northern Cramlington
Lamb (Northend)
North Eastern Askern main (Yorkshire)
North Eastern Prince of Wales (Yorkshire)
North East Birley East (Yorkshire)
North western Newton (Lancashire)
North Midlands Cresswell (Derbyshire)
Midlands Haunchwood (Warwickshire)
Wales Oakdale (Monmouthshire)
Midlands Kemball (Staffordshire)
Southern Chislet Kent
There may be some Bevin Boys who were trained on site at a particular pit but these will be limited.
Date of discharge
The last of the Bevin Boys were demobbed in 1948. Men were gradually released from the coal mining industry in 194748.
Widows criteria
Must have attached a death certificate, with a date of death on or after 20 June 2007, and a marriage
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