David W Restarick – Bevin Boys

Posted: 21st February 2020

Born 1926, elder son of David and Edith (Russell) Restarick of West Ham.

The Bevin Boys scheme was introduced in 1942 by the then Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin. The scheme ran between 1942 and 1948 and involved recruiting men to work in coal mines during and immediately following World War 2.

The Badge can be issued to men who were conscripted directly into the mines, those who opted for mine work in preference to joining the Armed Forces, or those who were in the Armed Forces and volunteered to become miners during the period 1942-1948.  The badge is available to all surviving Bevin Boys and formally recognises their work in the UK coalfields during and immediately after World War II. The badge can only be issued posthumously to the widows of men who died on or after 20 June 2007 and fall into the above category.

The Bevin Boys’ Song

We had to join, we had to join,
We had to join old Bevin’s army.
Three quid a week, and bugger all to eat,
Hobnail boots, and blisters on our feet.
We had to join, we had to join,
We had to join old Bevin’s army.
If it wasn’t for the war,
We’d be where we were before,
Bevin, you’re barmy.
 
 We had to join, we had to join,
 We had to join old Bevin’s army,
Our number’s out the hat,
But we don’t know where we’re at,
We’re going down the mine,
And we have to serve our time,
We had to join, we had to join,
We had to join old Bevin’s army
If it wasn’t for the draw,
We’d be off to fight the war,
Bevin you’re barmy.
 
We had to join, we had to join,
We had to join old Bevin’s army.
Three quid a week, and bugger all to eat,
Hobnail boots, and blisters on our feet.
We had to join, we had to join,
We had to join old Bevin’s army.
If it wasn’t for the war,
We’d be where we were before,
Bevin, you’re barmy