Bevin Boys were young British men conscripted to work in the coal mines of the United Kingdom, from December 1943 until 1948. Chosen at random from conscripts but also including volunteers, nearly 48,000 Bevin Boys performed vital but largely unrecognised service in the mines, many of them not released until years after the Second World War ended. Ten percent of those conscripted aged 18–25 were selected for this service.
Read more about Bevin Boys: Creation of The Programme, End of The Programme, Other Usages, Famous Bevin Boys, In Popular Culture
Famous quotes containing the words bevin and/or boys:
“The most conservative man in the world is the British Trade Unionist when you want to change him.”
—Ernest Bevin (1881–1951)
“Keep the home fires burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There’s a silver lining
Through the dark cloud shining;
Turn the dark cloud inside out,
Till the boys come home.”
—Lena Guilbert Ford (1870–1916)