Fifty former Bevin Boys (aged 82 to 84), representing 50 collieries, plus 36 partners and wives, are in Norwich from 17 to 20 April for the Bevin Boys Association national reunion, based at The Maids Head Hotel http://www.foliohotels.co.uk/maidshead.
Bevin Boys are named after Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour during World War II. He introduced conscription into the mines due to labour shortages in late 1943. Ten per cent of male conscripts aged between 18 and 25 were selected by ballot to work in the mines (48,000 in total). They were given no formal recognition for their work at the end of the war.
The Bevin Boys Association was founded in 1989 and campaigned for recognition. This was granted in 2008 when 25 former Bevin Boys attended a reception at 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister, to mark the launch of the Bevin Boys Veterans Badge. Former Bevin Boys include Jimmy Saville and the actor Brian Rix.
More background at http://www.culture24.org.uk/am28467.
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