Bevin Boys to be awarded Veterans Badges
Local MP John McDonnell calls upon local Bevin Boys to come forward
Local MP John McDonnell today highlighted the introduction of a Veterans Badge for former Bevin Boys in recognition of the important role they played during WWII and in the post-war reconstruction in the UK.
The Bevin Boys scheme was introduced in 1943 by then Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin, in response to an increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry. The scheme ran between 1943 and 1948 and involved recruiting men aged between 18 and 25 years old to work in coal mines rather than serve in the armed forces. Some 48,000 men were either selected or volunteered under the scheme.
The Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) has received nearly 1,000 applications to date and anticipates receiving more.
All surviving Bevin Boys are eligible and, due to the time it took BERR to implement the badge and the application process, applications will also will be accepted from widows of Bevin Boys who died on or after 20th June 2007, when the badge was announced, where a death and marriage certificate are attached to the application. Strict criteria set by the Ministry of Defence mean that other widows or next of kin are unable to submit applications.
Please see below for a letter about this case from Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Energy.
bevin 071207-1
Further details about the Bevin Boys Veterans Badge are available on the BERR website – www.berr.gov.uk
Dear Sir;
I am calling on all surviving Bevin Boys to come forward to claim a unique Veterans Badge as a tribute to their sacrifices during and after WWII. These heroes in our community helped to keep the coal fields running during the way and in the post-war reconstruction of Britain.
The Bevin Boys scheme was introduced in 1943 by then Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin, in response to an increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry. The scheme ran between 1943 and 1948 and involved recruiting men aged between 18 and 25 years old to work in coal mines rather than serve in the armed forces. Some 48,000 men were either selected or volunteered under the scheme.
It is with honour and gratitude that we recognise their tremendous work with the award of this special badge. All Bevin Boys, be they ballotees, optants or volunteers, are eligible to apply. Applications will also be accepted from widows of Bevin Boys who passed away on or after 20th June 2007, provided a copy of the marriage and death certificate are attached to the application form.
The first badges will be issued in March 2008, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the demobbing of the last Bevin Boy.
If you think you may be eligible, I urge you to complete an application form, available by calling the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency helpline on 0800 169 2277 or 01253 866043 or by visiting www.veteransagency.co.uk .
It is important that we never forget the sacrifices that were made both at home and abroad during the war. If you are a Bevin Boy, or you know someone who is, please come forward to claim this fitting tribute.
Malcolm Wicks MP
Minister for Energy
Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
Local MP John McDonnell today highlighted the introduction of a Veterans Badge for former Bevin Boys in recognition of the important role they played during WWII and in the post-war reconstruction in the UK.
The Bevin Boys scheme was introduced in 1943 by then Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin, in response to an increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry. The scheme ran between 1943 and 1948 and involved recruiting men aged between 18 and 25 years old to work in coal mines rather than serve in the armed forces. Some 48,000 men were either selected or volunteered under the scheme.
The Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) has received nearly 1,000 applications to date and anticipates receiving more.
All surviving Bevin Boys are eligible and, due to the time it took BERR to implement the badge and the application process, applications will also will be accepted from widows of Bevin Boys who died on or after 20th June 2007, when the badge was announced, where a death and marriage certificate are attached to the application. Strict criteria set by the Ministry of Defence mean that other widows or next of kin are unable to submit applications.
Please see below for a letter about this case from Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Energy.
bevin 071207-1
Further details about the Bevin Boys Veterans Badge are available on the BERR website – www.berr.gov.uk
Dear Sir;
I am calling on all surviving Bevin Boys to come forward to claim a unique Veterans Badge as a tribute to their sacrifices during and after WWII. These heroes in our community helped to keep the coal fields running during the way and in the post-war reconstruction of Britain.
The Bevin Boys scheme was introduced in 1943 by then Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin, in response to an increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry. The scheme ran between 1943 and 1948 and involved recruiting men aged between 18 and 25 years old to work in coal mines rather than serve in the armed forces. Some 48,000 men were either selected or volunteered under the scheme.
It is with honour and gratitude that we recognise their tremendous work with the award of this special badge. All Bevin Boys, be they ballotees, optants or volunteers, are eligible to apply. Applications will also be accepted from widows of Bevin Boys who passed away on or after 20th June 2007, provided a copy of the marriage and death certificate are attached to the application form.
The first badges will be issued in March 2008, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the demobbing of the last Bevin Boy.
If you think you may be eligible, I urge you to complete an application form, available by calling the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency helpline on 0800 169 2277 or 01253 866043 or by visiting www.veteransagency.co.uk .
It is important that we never forget the sacrifices that were made both at home and abroad during the war. If you are a Bevin Boy, or you know someone who is, please come forward to claim this fitting tribute.
Malcolm Wicks MP
Minister for Energy
Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
posted by John at
13:45
