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2 unusual facts about Bevin Boys


Birley Collieries

Following the end of World War II and the demobilisation of the Bevin Boys, came new trainees, this time men from our allies in Europe wanting to make their home in England, particularly a large contingent from Poland.

John Bevan Baker

He fulfilled his war service from 1944 to 1946 as a Bevin Boy at a coal mine at Newbiggin in Northumberland.


Alf Sherwood

As a youngster, Sherwood was a youth international for Wales at both football and cricket, playing alongside Trevor Ford and Gilbert Parkhouse, before becoming one of the Bevin Boys, a scheme created by former Minister of Labour and National Service Ernest Bevin, in which young men aged between 18–25 were drafted to work as miners during World War II.

John Etty

In June 2007 John Etty was invited to a reception for former Bevin Boys at the House of Commons, hosted by Gordon Banks MP, John Etty and wife Kath were introduced to the Prime Minister at No 10 Downing Street on 25 March 2008, with John Etty receiving his Bevin Boys' Veterans Badge from Gordon Brown.


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