Accrington Web - View Single Post - Eric Morecambe (part of Morecambe and Wise)

Atarah · 01-02-2008, 06:32

Risking putting this in the history section.
A friend of mine, who lives in Morecambe, is collecting information together for a talk he is doing on Eric Morecambe, born ERIC BARTHOLOMEW.
We know he had a local connection as a BEVIN BOY but what has come to light is that his parents were married here in Accrington, in 1921, at St John's Church and that they lived on Meadow Street. anyone out there got more info?

Atarah

Bevin Boys

During W.W.2, the shortage of manpower in the mines resulted in the Ministry of Labour and National Service inaugurating a policy of drafting men of military age into the mines.

From July 1943, the draftees for the mines were chosen by ballot and a number of men already serving with the forces were given, and took the option of working in the mines. The ballot consisted of Mr Bevin's secretary each month placing 10 digits into a hat and, for a period of approximately 20 months, two of these numbers were drawn out. All men whose National Service Registration Number ended with that digit were directed into coal mining without exception. Any refusal to comply with the direction would inevitably result in a heavy fine or possible imprisonment under the wartime Emergency Powers Act.

01-02-2008, 06:32	#1
Atarah Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: ACCRINGTON Posts: 2,358 Liked: 95 times Rep Power: 11531	Eric Morecambe (part of Morecambe and Wise) Risking putting this in the history section. A friend of mine, who lives in Morecambe, is collecting information together for a talk he is doing on Eric Morecambe, born ERIC BARTHOLOMEW. We know he had a local connection as a BEVIN BOY but what has come to light is that his parents were married here in Accrington, in 1921, at St John's Church and that they lived on Meadow Street. anyone out there got more info? Atarah Bevin Boys During W.W.2, the shortage of manpower in the mines resulted in the Ministry of Labour and National Service inaugurating a policy of drafting men of military age into the mines. From July 1943, the draftees for the mines were chosen by ballot and a number of men already serving with the forces were given, and took the option of working in the mines. The ballot consisted of Mr Bevin's secretary each month placing 10 digits into a hat and, for a period of approximately 20 months, two of these numbers were drawn out. All men whose National Service Registration Number ended with that digit were directed into coal mining without exception. Any refusal to comply with the direction would inevitably result in a heavy fine or possible imprisonment under the wartime Emergency Powers Act.