Britain finally says thank you to Arthur and his fellow Bevin Boys

Mar 26 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

A CHESHIRE man was among 27 “Bevin Boys” who received commemorative badges from Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday.

Arthur MacDougall, of Culcheth, near Warrington, was one of thousands of conscripts who worked in Britain’s coal mines during World War II.

The importance of the contribution made by the “Boys”, who helped ease the UK’s severe shortage of coal, has never before been formally recognised.

Celebrity Bevin Boys Lord Brian Rix and Sir Jimmy Savile were among those receiving badges.

Mr Brown told them at the ceremony in Downing Street: “I’m sorry, in a way, it’s taken until now to recognise your service, but it’s right that we do so and it’s right that we remember everything you’ve done.”

Mr Brown’s predecessor, Tony Blair, announced last June the badges would be produced to express the country’s gratitude for their crucial role.

Thousands of conscripts were diverted to the mines in a scheme named after Labour’s Ernest Bevin, who was Minister of Labour and National Service in Winston Churchill’s coalition government.

Awards of the lapel badge this month coincide with the 60th anniversary of the demobilisation of the last Bevin Boys.

Warwick Taylor, vice-president of the Bevin Boys Association, said at the ceremony: “Finally the Bevin Boys have surfaced.”