ONCE again – via Steve Pratt’s article, “The Boys of the black stuff” (Echo, April 18), about the making of a radio drama in Durham – the myth of Bevin Boys replacing “called up” miners is perpetuated.
Every miner who joined the Armed Forces was a volunteer.
Some, of course, like my dad, stayed in the mines all though the war and many years after, and received no medals or thanks.
Like him, most of them had their health ruined.
I don’t wish to denigrate the Bevin Boys (my uncle was one), but to me the real heroes were the miners.
Incidentally, just for the historical record, when I worked for the NCB in the Sixties to “have a Bevin” meant to have an easy shift.
Bill Bartle, Barnard Castle, Co Durham.
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