大象传媒

In January 1944 I was 18 and received my registration forms for call-up. I went to Cambridge for my medical which I passed A1 and was accepted in the Royal Navy. Three days later I received a letter from the wartime Ministry of Labour directing me to report to Doncaster in Yorksh9ire to work in coalmining. I was allowed an appeal and went back to Cambridge. I wondered what I could say to the Appeal Board having passed A1 for the Navy, so I said that I lived in Norfolk, an agricultural county, and at least 100 miles from any coalmine. I had no idea about coal mining. My appeal failed and I was to report to the collieries or alternatively go to prison.

Some Bevan Boys did choose prison and if they changed their minds were released to work in coalmining. As you can guess, it was a complete change of life. The mine was 3,000 feet deep and walking along the tunnel we came across another tunnel which had been sealed off with a large white cross. One of the chaps asked the instructor about it and was told it was where the disaster was (I think 1927) and there were men, ponies and equipment in there - this did not do anything good to my morale.

We worked in the depths of the earth in cramped, damp conditions. When travelling on leave were were not allowed even a cup of tea on the train stations because we had no uniform to wear. Some Bevan Boys were much abused because it was thought that we had run away from the Services.

However I served for four years which counted as military service and was allocated 'demob'group 60 class A, which meant that when the army soldiers were released I was allowed to leave the mines.

I made some very good mates while in the colliery and consider them finest mates you could wish for. On coming home to Norfolk I went to the Labour Exchange for a job and was told I should never have left my other employment. However I did get a job by my own initiative. All records of the Bevan Boys were destroyed and the British Legion refused to recognise us. We are, however, now allowed to march to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday through the intervention of Roy Mason, former War Minister. I might add that we are generally warmly welcomed by the rank and file of the Legion.

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