Q&A
Who were the Bevin Boys?
• SHORT ANSWER
To keep the war effort supplied with coal, young conscripts served on the underground frontline
• LONG ANSWER
During the early years of World War II, coal production in Britain fell into decline, partly due to the large proportion of the mining workforce that had left to serve in the armed forces. This led Minister of Labour and National Service Ernest Bevin to take drastic action and conscript men to help make up the shortfall. Every month, a number was drawn from a homburg hat, and any 18–25 year old whose last digit of their national service number matched was redirected to be a ‘Bevin Boy’. Some 48,000 men were forced into the coal industry with four weeks of training and a pair of steel-toed boots and helmet made of compressed cardboard. Not all went happily, as around 40 per cent of those conscripted appealed and even faced prison. And for those who did serve, it was a thankless task as they faced prejudice from local populations who thought they were cowards for not fighting.