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During his office as wartime Minister of Labour and National Service, Bevin introduced his scheme for the call-up of young men to the mines as a result of an acute shortage of experienced colliers.
In fact this was only done after an optional scheme had failed and so the name 'Bevin Boys' came into force.
In an appeal from Whitehall he said:
"We've reached a point at which there are not enough miners to produce the amount of coal needed to keep the war effort going. 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.
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None of you would funk a fight with the enemy and I do not believe it would be said of any of you boys that you failed to respond to the call for coal upon which victory so much depends".
Ernest started his working life as a farm labourer and then changed course and became a docker being appointed Assistant General Secretary of the Dockers' Union in 1911. Bevin organised the amalgamation of several unions, which formed the world's largest, The Transport and General Workers' Union. He played an active part in the General Strike of 1926. |
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Sir James Savile Kt. OBE. KCSG. LL.D
Jimmy Savile was born in Leeds 1926 He worked as a Bevin Boy at South Kirby and Waterloo Collieries, both in Yorkshire. Jimmy started his career in show business as assistant manager for Mecca Leeds in 1955 and graduated to broadcasting with Radio Luxemburg in 1958; also a presenter on BBC Radio 1 from 1965. His first 'Top of the Pops' was televised on BBC in 1964 and the ever popular 'Jim'll Fix It' Started on BBC in 1971. He is famous for his marathons and fun runs. He has been involved with Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Leeds Infimary and Broadmoor Hospital for many years and concentrates his efforts on a broad spectrum of charities. Regarding his time down the pit he said: |
"I went down as a boy and came up as a man. What I learned from those marvellous colliers stood me in good stead today as it did then. We had no machinery down our pit, indeed no baths, so at work it was your hands or your brains that kept you alive. I don't bother with too much machinery these days either."
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Lord Rix CBE, DL.
Brian Rix was born in Cottingham, Yorkshire, and the son of a Hull shipowner who moved to Hornsea when he was four. In 1942 at the age of eighteen, he became a professional actor and, after serving in the RAF during the war he formed his own Theatre Company in 1947.
In 1950 he presented 'Reluctant Heroes' At the Whitehall Theatre in the West End of London and this began a 30-year run as an actor/manager. |
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From 1980 to 1987 he was Secretary General of the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults, which in 1981, was, designated the Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults, and became the chairman in 1988. He was associated with many schemes to benefit people with mental handicap and their families, including, among others the MENCAP Homes Foundation.
For this work he has been recognised a number of times. He was appointed CBE in 1977 and has been awarded honorary degrees from several Universities. In June 1986 he received a knighthood and became a Life Baron in 1992.
In the foreword to a book 'The Bevin Boys Story' he said:
"I feel I am writing this foreword under false pretences - for I was not one of the Bevin Boys chosen by ballot - I volunteered when it was plain that my RAF aircrew days were numbered. As I only wanted to be a pilot I elected, when the offer was made, to become a civilian once again - and the only way I could do it was via the Bevin Boy Scheme. Nevertheless, I have never regretted the decision." |
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More Bevin Boys
THE BEVIN BOYS ASSOCIATION.
Jack Armstrong - I was a Bevin Boy at Glasshoughton (Castleford) 1942/1946
Ken Ashton - I Was a Bevin Boy at Newmarket Colliery
Bauldyhead - I Need a Bevin Boys badge, Marley Hill pit 1945
Mary - Paddy Boyle was offered the chance to 'volunteer' to go down the pit
Norman Brickell - Looking for Len Mansell from Liverpool and Ken Knitingale from around Cambridge
Norman Brickell - Broadway Miners Hostel, Barnsley. Any ex "dust eaters" out there?
Harold Bullock - was a Bevin Boy at Rainworth Colliery, Mansfield, 1943 and 1945
Lynda Bullock - My dad was a Bevin Boy at Rainworth Colliery, Mansfield, 1943 and 1945
Jenny Caswell Is there anyway (or anyone ) that may help me find out WHERE my beloved Dad was posted as a Bevin Boy?
Ashlie Chapman - Easington Bevin Boys, what happened to the gang?
Harry Crossland - (born 1925) was a Bevin Boy at a Doncaster colliery
Mr Ernest Denne - was a Bevin boy in Kent from 1943, at possibly the Snowden or Bettshanger collieries
Stan Durban - I was posted to Shipley Coppice in July 1944
Harold Edwin George Emery was a Bevin Boy and may have worked near Sunderland, County Durham
Bill Fenton - I was a Bevin Boy from Feb. 1945 to 1963. I worked Manton pit for 4 years and the rest at Whitwell
Bill Hatcher - I was drafted to Ormond Pit in March 1944
Ken Holland Looking for former comrades I met at Silverdale mine North Staffs.
Heather House - Bevin Huts Ystrad Mynach, Home Sweet Home
Julian Jover - Bevin Boy down Easington Colliery and at Seaham Harbour Colliery
Una McLean My father - Angus McLean- was called up as a Bevin Boy
Jeffrey Littman - Is a medal being issued to those who did their service during the war?
Eric Monaghan - Was the last Bevin Boy to retire?
O Nourse Are There Any Records on Bradley Hostel for Bevin Boys
Alison Philpott My father was a Bevin Boy - Are there any records?
Len Saunders I was a Bevin boy at Conisbrough 1943-45
Liz Sanderson - My father, Richard Robinson, was a 'Bevin Boy' during the war
Rex Staples - I was a Bevin Boy. No record, no pension, no medal!
David John Watkins - was a Bevin Boy. He worked in Cefn Coed Colliery
Pauline Woodford - URGENT Is there a list of Bevin boys who were called up?
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