Bravery medal honour for former Bevin Boy

A 97-year-old World War Two veteran has received a Home Defence Medal for bravery, 80 years after the conflict.

John Avery - known to his friends as Jack - received the award for his work in the Civil Defence Messenger Service and as a Bevin Boy, working in the coal mines on the Home Front.

It comes after a two-year battle to recognise Mr Avery's contribution, as Bevin Boys have never been formally rewarded for their service.

He was presented with the award by Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell at a ceremony at the Guildhall on Friday.

Mr Avery said he had waited a long time for the medal.

"I did four years' service as a Bevin Boy and got nothing at the end of it. Eighty years on I still regret the way Bevin Boys were treated," he said.

Mr Avery was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne but has lived in York for the last 75 years.

He worked initially with the Civil Defence Messenger Service.

He then signed up for the Royal Navy but was instead conscripted to work as a Bevin Boy down the mines as part of a scheme created by the wartime Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin.

The conditions in which Bevin Boys were employed was often dangerous - at times potentially deadly - yet many of them were branded as cowards for not going off to fight.

Mr Avery said: "The pits were very dangerous and I had a near-fatal accident when some tubs of coal derailed and I ended up underneath them in the smallest gap.

"How I escaped being killed I'll never know."

The Bevin Boys Association was formed in 1989 to recognise the contribution the miners made to their country during the war.

In 1998, representatives from the association were allowed to take part in the Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph for the first time.

"This medal is not just for me but for all those who served on the Home Front and were never recognised," Mr Avery said.

"I think of all those who were killed during the bombings on the Home Front, especially the firefighters, and just count my blessings I have had such a long and happy life.

"I had friends who went to war and were killed and I remember them all."

His son Trevor Avery, who was with him as he was presented with the medal, said he was pleased his father's dedication had finally been recognised.

“He is not a bitter man but there was a sense that he regretted not being recognised as a Bevin Boy," he said.

"I always knew he was a special kind of person, even though he was my dad. But I knew in his background and in his upbringing that there was a real story to be told."

Ms Maskell said: "I was delighted to be able to present John with his medal today for his service to our country during World War Two."

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