Mike Hall MP

Labour Party | Weaver Vale

Formal recognition for the Bevin Boys war contribution

A Badge, which formally recognises the contribution made by the Bevin Boys who worked in the UK coalfields during and immediately after World War Two, was announced by Prime Minister Tony Blair at Question Time on 20th June.

The Bevin Boys scheme was introduced in 1943 by then Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin, in response to an increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry. The scheme ran between 1943 and 1948 and involved recruiting men aged between 18 and 25 years to work in coal mines rather than serve in the armed forces. Some 48,000 men were either selected or volunteered under the scheme.

The application process for the new lapel Badge will be introduced towards the end of the year, with a view to awarding the first Badge in March next year to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the demobbing of the last Bevin Boy.

Similar to the Ministry of Defence Veterans Badge, the Badge will be available to surviving Bevin Boys including both volunteers and those who were selected to work down the mines.
Speaking at Question Time the Prime Minister said:-

"This special Badge will give recognition to the tremendous work done and the sense of gratitude the country owes to the Bevin Boys."

Mike Hall MP said:-

"These men played a key role in keeping a vital industry going during World War Two and it is with honour and gratitude that we recognise their important contribution with this lapel Badge.

"We have worked closely with the Bevin Boys Association to ensure that the design of the Badge suitably reflects the work they carried out. It is important that we never forget the sacrifices that were made both at home and abroad during the war, and this Badge is a fitting way to remember the Bevin Boys' work to keep the coalfields going."

Warwick Taylor, Vice President of the Bevin Boys Association said:-

"I am extremely pleased to see the introduction of this Badge, which recognises a sometimes forgotten group of men who were either selected or volunteered to serve their country by not fighting in the war to ensure that those at home and on the front line were able to keep the war effort going. I look forward to seeing the first Badge next year."