Honouring civilians who served
Those young men and women who served Britain during the Second World War as Bevin Boys and members of the Women's Land Army and Timber Corps have finally been honoured for the roles they played in the war effort.
Sixty years since the Bevin Boys were demobbed the Government has issued Badges to recognise the role they played down the pit. Badges are also due to be issued for those who served as Land Girls.
From 1943, one in ten of all conscripts were sent down the mines as Bevin Boys instead of serving in the armed forces while Land Girls were volunteers. Both were essential cogs in the war effort producing food and fuel to keep the country fed and operating during and after the war.
As well as presenting those in attendance with their badges and certificates Mr Wood also thanked the Bevin Boys and Land Girls for their service and apologised for having to wait 60 years for recognition of their war service. The Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, Sir Norman Bettison, presented the awards with Mr Wood.
Representatives of the Royal British Legion, Yorkshire Bevin Boys association and Spen Valley Civic Society were present at the event at Oakwell, which was the site of Gomersal pit where many of the Bevin Boys served. Wartime songs were performed by Nora Riordan and Jenny Chadwick before and after the ceremony.
If you were a Bevin Boy or a Land Girl and would like more information about the badges please contact Mike Wood's office.
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