A hero of the Home Front
Bevin Boy labelled a coward finally recognised aged 97
A BEVIN Boy who was called a coward after being forced to dig coal during the Second World War has at last been honoured for his service.
John Avery, 97, has been presented with a Defence Medal, 80 years after his efforts.
The great-grandad’s family say he suffered decades of hurt for being accused of not being brave enough to be in the military during the war.
John said: “It means a lot...
“This medal isn’t just for me but for all those who served on the Home Front and were never recognised.
“I think of all those killed in the bombings on the Home Front, especially the firefighters, and count my blessings I’ve had such a long and happy life.” He applied to join the military during the war but was one of the thousands conscripted as a miner.
They kept the country supplied with energy, getting their nickname from Ernest Bevin, the minister behind the policy.
Their crucial contribution to the war effort has often been overlooked. John was presented with the medal at the Guildhall in his home city of York by Labour’s Rachael Maskell, who is his local MP.
John said: “I didn’t even know there was a medal, and when I found out I certainly didn’t expect this today – I thought it would come through the post.”
His daughter, Angela Lancaster, said: “The medal makes up for a lot of the pain he’s had – that he was not recognised for what he did. People thought he was a conscientious objector or a coward.”
John, who was raised in Newcastle, was 13 when war broke out. Aged 16, he volunteered for the Civil Defence Messenger Service as a bike rider, delivering notes during Nazi bombing raids.
Of his time down the pit from 1944 to 1948, he said: “I had a near-fatal accident when tubs of coal derailed and I ended underneath them.”
John then spent 35 years in the packing, storage and security departments at Rowntree. He became a widower 10 years ago.
This is for all those who served on the Home Front and weren’t recognised
JOHN AVERY ON SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING AWARDED THE MEDAL