Your stories

Post your messages of support for Warwick Taylor and the Bevin Boys!

Sheila Edwards
My husband was a Bevin Boy is he entitled to claim a badge

Patricia McInally
My dad was a Bevin Boy.Sadly he died in 1999.I think that I should be able to receive his badge.

Karen Booth
My late father-in-law worked down the mines all his life and was proud to be a Bevan Boy. 10 Downing St have a petition running that can be signed on line for those who feel that badges should be awarded posthumously.

Steve Tromans
My father was a Bevin Boy but he died in 2006. I know he would have been very proud to accept some small recognition of his service in WWII. I just wish it were possible for me to accept the award on his behalf as my mother died only very recently too.

Victoria Russell (nee Cannon)
My Grandad, David Cannon, was a Bevin boy. He wanted to be a soldier like all his older brothers, but was too young. He talks very little about his time as a Bevin boy as I belive the experience was so traumatic. I have just learnt that he was trapped down a mine for 4 days and of the 13 miners trapped only 4 came out alive. I would love my Grandad's contribution to be recognised. It's a shame that this has not be realised sooner as my Grandma suddenly passed away on the 17th March 2008.

linda hyem
Frederick Richard WestlakeMy dad was a Bevan Boy from 1944 in Wales, he is now in his 80's and I will try and get a badge for him

CHERYL MANNING
My dad william john williams was a bevin boy for 2 years in blaina and i would love him to be recognised

Joe Walsh (on behalf of Eric German)
My Grandfather Eric German of Broadheath, Altrincham in Cheshire completed his training at Morrison Busty (Durham), and then on to Low Fell (Gateshead), finally he was serving at Pendlebury Colliery (Salford). This was between the dates 1944 to 1947. He has just posted the application back to receive the commemorative badge and I was looking for further details of how to acquire the two Bevin Boys medals, also any documentation photographic or literature that may be available linked to the above dates. Many Thanks Joe Walsh (Manchester)joe_wa15h@yahoo.com

Nigel Moore
Finally recognised, but what about now long gone Bevin boys, such as my dad, that we has is family, would love to have had one of the awards, but cant get one. because he is no longer with us.and yet he was so proud of his duty.

GARY KNIGHTS
my uncle george was a bevin boy at the age of 18 when he was alive i remember that he had black scars on his hands arms and chest these were a result of coal dust getting into cuts and grazes......i am wondering if even though he has past away would i still be able to get his badge and if so how do i go about this....

Anna Wright
My father was a Bevin boy, who unfortunately passed away in 1990 aged 64 from lung disease. It seems unjust that his surviving family are unable to collect the medal on his behalf - we are all very proud of what he did.

David Butler
My uncle,David,was a Bevin boy. Now he is 90 but we will look into getting him his badge.

Christine V Martin
my father worked in the mines all his working life. which meant he did not have a long life. He served all through the war down the mines. So I think he and others like him should alsao be recognised.

Kim E. Hayes
My grandfather Eric Roland Polley was conscripted to serve as a Bevin Boy. He served approximately 18 months in this capacity and had to come out due to the effects of the coal dust. My grandfather then was put into the army and served in admin up in scotland for the remainder of the war. He was not sent to front line due to both coal dust problems and a lazy eye deeming him not a good shot. lol. My grandmother Mrs. Eileen Polley will turn 90 this year and I would like her to accept an honour on behalf of my grandfather who now passed away in april 2000. I thank you with all my heart.

Glynis Holland
My dad Brice John Stillman was a Bevin Boy down in South Wales,he died 13th September 2007 aged 82,He was a member of the bevin boys assocation and was proud as punch that a badge would be issued,I applied and was told no because they wanted it to be worn and shown,they seem to be saying that all the dependents of these men would not wear it with pride,some have never even been down the pits,they do not know what those days were like,all my family in wales were down the pits and the horror stories of those days are still talked about.As the men are dying out and many are either in ill health or dead they forget what they went through or their families who waited when cave in's happened.So all the people that are left and their dependents should be able to wear this pin with pride.They all deserve one,you can apply to the assocation to get the form and ask if you can get one Goodluck.

pauline woodford
iam so pleased for all the bevin boys iam very proud to say my father was a bevin boy but sadly he died too soon its just not fair as we have now all so lost or dear mother who knows how hard dads life was how sad to think that i cant get his bage and were it with pride to show how proud iam of my dad

Frank Penny
Glad to have found your site. I to was one of the Bevin boys.I went to Easington, Durham, camp on my 18th birth day & stayed there for over 3 1/2 year's All the best next week.Frank

Mr D. Bendon
My father was a Bevan boy he worked in the mines in South Wales, sadly he died when he was 42 of lung desease. All his brothers and sisters lived into their 90s so I feel that mining contributed to his early death. My mother had to bring up two children without a husband but we were never finacially compensated.

Revd Dr Graham St.John-Willey
I received my Veterans Badge last year and I'm delighted to wear it. I'm very pleased that the 'Bevin Boys' are now to receive a similar award - BUT why oh why is it ONLY going to those men who have survived until June THIS year. Surely ALL the lads should have one, or their widows or their children.

betty
i think this is a very good idea, and it should have been recognised earlier

Richard Douglas
I am so glad that i found your website my dad was a Bevin boy. Ive told him i will get him his medal. He is 86 now he worked hard into his 70s but has suffered ill health since he and all of you deserve more from our uncaring govts

Mr B Broad
I was one of the first Welsh Bevan Boys, my group photograph has been used on BBC Wales News. Would like information on obtaining a commemorative badge but cant get the address can anyone help.

tracy firman
my grandfather charles edward eyley was a bevin boy in the second world war his from burton on trent

Carol Newman
At last! my dad was a Bevin boy. Good luck to you all you deserve it.

Revd Stanley O Jones MBE
I was one of them. Indeed, I think I am the only one to have been received an award for "services to HMF"

Paul Barrett
I am very pleased that you have been rewarded as a Bevin Boy,my dad was a Bevin Boy at that time as well.Sadly he died this year just before his 83rd birthday he would have been so pleased to know that the Bevin Boys have been recognised.He always said how very hard it was,he often spoke about close mates down the mines.