Surviving Bevin Boys to be Remembered

Surviving members of the 48,000 Bevin Boys are to be awarded a badge for their work during the 2nd World War. The official recognition is for the conscripted and volunteer force that helped keep the British coal mines running from 1943 onwards.

The Bevin Boys were named after Ernest Bevin, Labour MP, and Minister of Labour and National Service in Churchill's coalition government. Approximately 50% were conscripts selected by ballot to serve in the mines. The remainder were volunteers who chose coal mining in preference to serving in branches of the Armed Services.

Of course, one might wonder why British merchantmen, particularly those involved in the Russian convoys, have yet to receive any award for their services.