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about
In 1943 this country faced a crisis in coal production as there was only three weeks of coal stock available. This put the country’s ability to win the Second World War in jeopardy.
The then Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, charged Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour and National Service to increase coal production.
Mr Bevin decided that from all 18 to 24 year old men conscripts drafted to serve in the armed forces one in ten were to be directed – on pain of imprisonment and irrespective of background or ability - to work underground in British coal mines.
Approximately 48,000 Bevin Boys (as they came to be known) undertook unskilled manual jobs to release more experienced miners to move on to coal production at the coal face.
The role played by Bevin Boys should not be lost to history.
Reproduced with the permission of
H.Parkes
lyrics
The Bevin Boys
December 1943, the first ballot was drawn
With the optants and the volunteers
The Bevin Boys were born
You got 3 pounds 10 shillings, less 25 (shillings) for rent
You gotta buy your own pick & shovel, now that your days are spent
As The Bevin Boys
The Bevin Boys
The Bevin Boys
Miles away in Europe
Or a mile underground
Soldier or miner
You long to be homeward bound
Descending in that cage, risking your life everyday
Say hello to the pit pony, unlike him, you get out at the end of every day
As The Bevin Boys
The Bevin Boys
The Bevin Boys
Known as the underground army,…. 48,000 strong
An if you think they were treated like heroes, let me tell you brother… you’d be wrong
You were called up & you were sent down
To risk your life, underground
For you the war ended late, they wouldn’t let you out till 1948
No recognition for 50 years, let me hear you give them 3 cheers
Let’s hear it for the Bevin Boys
Let’s hear it for the Bevin Boys
Let’s hear it for the Bevin Boys
credits
released May 20, 2019
Written, produced and played by Steve Jones (copyright control)
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