A MINE full of history is in store for members of a West Devon history group. Stephen Sylvester will be the speaker at the next meeting of the Okehampton Local History Society to be held on Wednesday in the Ockment Hall from 7.30pm. He will be delivering a talk on his experiences as a 'Bevin Boy.' Bevin Boys were young British men conscripted to work in coal mines from December 1943 until the end of World War II. Chosen at random from conscripts, close to 50,000 Bevin Boys performed vital but largely unrecognised service in the coal mines with many not being released until years after the war. Bevin Boys did not wear uniforms or badges and, being military age and without uniform, were occasionally stopped by police and questioned about avoiding call-up. The programme was named after Ernest Bevin, who was Minister of Labour and National Service in the coalition government. The programme was demobilised in 1948. Bevin Boys received no medals, nor the right to return to the jobs they held at the start of the war, unlike other servicemen. New members are always welcome and anyone interested should contact the secretary, Malcolm Francis-Lang on 01837 840158. Non-members are welcome to attend the meetings at a cost of £2 per person.
