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WWII's Bevin Boys receive badges Brown honours wartime Bevin Boys
(about 11 hours later)
Men who were conscripted or volunteered to work as miners during World War II are to be formally recognised later for their contribution to the war effort. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to the men who were conscripted or volunteered to work as miners during World War II.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown will use a Downing Street ceremony to award the first commemorative badges to some of those known as Bevin Boys. He said the Bevin Boys, as they are known, "not only helped us win the war but rebuild our country after the war".
Some 27, including Sir Jimmy Saville, will receive their badges. Sir Jimmy Savile is among the 27 who will be formally recognised at a Downing Street ceremony.
Wartime minister Ernest Bevin's scheme saw 48,000 men aged 18 to 25 recruited for the mines between 1943 and 1948.Wartime minister Ernest Bevin's scheme saw 48,000 men aged 18 to 25 recruited for the mines between 1943 and 1948.
The prime minister, who will award commemorative badges during the ceremony, said: "The service that the Bevin Boys gave to this country was incredibly important and not only helped us to win the war but also to rebuild our country after the war."
"The Bevin Boys' contribution, like that of the Spitfire Women, the Women's Timber Corps and the Women's Land Army, did not receive the recognition it deserved at the time as honours were concentrated on those who saw front line service."
'Forgotten conscripts'
Anyone who was conscripted directly into the mines, who joined the mines instead of the armed forces or who originally served in the armed forces and later volunteered to become a miner, is eligible to apply for a badge.Anyone who was conscripted directly into the mines, who joined the mines instead of the armed forces or who originally served in the armed forces and later volunteered to become a miner, is eligible to apply for a badge.
The ceremony coincides with the 60th anniversary of the demobilisation of the last Bevin Boys.The ceremony coincides with the 60th anniversary of the demobilisation of the last Bevin Boys.
'Forgotten conscripts'
Mr Bevin, the then minister for Labour and National Service, introduced the scheme in response to an increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry.Mr Bevin, the then minister for Labour and National Service, introduced the scheme in response to an increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry.
Many regular miners had been called up into the forces, leaving a shortfall of able men.Many regular miners had been called up into the forces, leaving a shortfall of able men.
But the men subsequently drafted into the mines have often been referred to as the "forgotten conscripts".But the men subsequently drafted into the mines have often been referred to as the "forgotten conscripts".
Outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed to the Commons last June that applications were being invited for the special badge.Outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed to the Commons last June that applications were being invited for the special badge.
He said at the time that the country owed the Bevin Boys a "sense of gratitude" for their tremendous work.He said at the time that the country owed the Bevin Boys a "sense of gratitude" for their tremendous work.