The banner of the Bevin Boys Association. © Bevin Boys Association

50 former ‘Bevin Boys’ who worked in Yorkshire collieries during World War Two are to receive a commemorative badge at a ceremony at the National Coal Mining Museum for England in Wakefield on May 2 2008.

Veterans of the Yorkshire Bevin Boys will receive the badge from Lord Mason of Barnsley and Mary Creagh MP in the apt location of the National Coal Mining Museum. As Caphouse Colliery, the museum was a Bevin Boy training centre during the war.

“I am delighted to help mark the contribution of the Bevin Boys at this special ceremony,” said Mary Creagh. “Hundreds of these men served in the Wakefield area, and there are still many Bevin Boys living locally.”

“I have been campaigning for their service to be recognised in a similar way to other veterans, and am proud to be awarding them their new badges.”

The National Coal Mining Museum has a permanent collection of items relating to the Bevin Boys. A Boys Own Comic circa 1944. © National Coal Mining Museum

Bevin Boy veterans called up to fuel the war effort by working the coal seams have only recently been recognised for their wartime service. After a long campaign supported by members of the Bevin Boys Association, the Minister of Energy officially launched an official Bevin Boys Veterans Badges in London on March 25 2008.

The Yorkshire presentation, which is open to the public, will take place at 2.15pm and after speeches there will be musical entertainment from The Wayfarers.

The Bevin Boys Association has also commissioned an official Commemorative Silver Medal, which is available to Ballotees, Optants, and Volunteers or next of kin called up between 1942 and 1948. There is no minimum length of service to be eligible for this medal but they do ask that you provide details of the training colliery and colliery work.

For more information about the Bevin Boys Association, the commemorative badge and the medal, call Warwick Taylor on 01305 261269 or 07711 960 452.