Some of my relatives were 'Bevin Boys,' what did they do?

Siskin

Bevin Boys were young men between 18 and 25 who were, during the Second World War, chosen by ballot to serve in the mining industry. They were named after Ernest Bevin the wartime Minister of Labour and leader of the Transport and General Workers Union. The selection of these men, 1 in 10 of all those aged between 18 and 25, enabled vital manpower to be reserved for the mining industry as opposed to going to the armed forces. The work was however, not popular either with the miners or the boys themselves. Many had no mining background at all. They received no medal, badge or uniform and little recognition. Many were not released from their war work until several years after the war had ended. http://www.scotsatwar.org.uk/misc/bevin/ Apr 29 03, 6:52 PM

kerry8888

kerry8888 says: they were coal miners.... Tue Apr 29 10:53:32 CDT 2003 they were usually young and forced to work in the mines during the war.... Tue Apr 29 10:54:20 CDT 2003 (Reposted as one entry - McG) May 06 03, 9:58 PM