York Bevin Boy gets medal

5:24pm Friday 9th May 2008

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A VETERAN who helped fuel Britain's war effort by working underground for four years has finally been recognised for his contribution.

After more than 60 years of waiting, John Avery is one of thousands of conscripted miners who have been honoured with their very own war medal.

Although far from the front line, John, now 81, played a vital role in keeping power stations and munitions factories going during the Second World War.

Only 5,000 of history's "unsung heroes" are still alive, and all are over 80. They were only allowed to take part in the Remembrance Day celebrations as recently as 1998.

The Bevin Boys inherited their name from Ernest Bevin, wartime minister of labour and national service.

In 1943, he introduced a call scheme for men to go into the mines instead of the armed services because of a shortage of coal.

John's registration number was picked at random and he went underground aged 18, serving from 1944 to 1948 in the Durham area.

"I was gutted," he said. "A lot of people thought we were conscientious objectors or cowards. But we weren't. We were forced to do it.

"I appealed against it because my dad was in the army for 29 years."

Until recently, their vital effort went unrecognised but a nationwide campaign led the Government to issue a commemorative lapel for the men who risked their lives underground, rather than at the war's front.

More than 50 of the Bevin Boys were reunited at Caphouse National Coal Mining Museum, near Wakefield, to receive their badges from Lord Mason of Barnsley, himself an ex-miner.

John who lives off Leeman Road, York, with his wife, Brenda, was joined by his children, Trevor and Angela, who said: "It was really emotional. I am very proud of my dad, all of them. It is history. It was nice to see their work recognised, not just for them but for all those who are not here any more."

Brenda said: "They have waited more than 60 years for this. They were never recognised before."

John worked five days a week from 10am to 6pm in the mines, driving the ponies that pulled the coal tubs.

"I didn't realise the dark was so dark," he said. "And it was heaving with rats." He said the mine was a frightening place, especially when the props creaked above him. "There were no showers so we went home as we were," he said. "I was so scruffy people wouldn't sit next to me on the bus."

After leaving the mines, John who has five grandchildren and four great grandchildren worked on the land in Alne, Easingwold and Strensall before working at Rowntree for 36 years.