The Forgotten Conscript - Warwick Taylor

by Harbinger

Stop looking! Call off the search parties, cancel the funeral and the tribute concert (starring people you thought or hoped were dead). I am back.... What?! You don't remember who I am. For God's sake I am the irritating one....actually that could be any of us. In all seriousness I have been busy, essays on Nazi Propaganda and East India Company rule in India taking up most of my time. So I suppose it is no wonder that history shall be the focus of my review.

As you may or may not know I am busily working on my dissertation, 14,000 words on the Bevin Boys, a subject close to my heart. Earlier this year my Grandfather died, who had volunteered to be a Bevin Boy during the Second World War, which made the subject matter of my dissertation obvious. Also seeing the Bevin Boys marching on Remembrance Sunday, gave me the idea of discussing one of the books that has been vital to my research.

Warwick Taylor's aptly named book, The Forgotten Conscript, details the formation and activities of the Bevin Boys. By May 1940, it was apparent Britain was running short of coal and worse still the coal mining industry was suffering from a crippling man-power shortage of some 40,000 workers which by 1941 and 1942 had increased to nearly 50,000. Unfortunately a great many miners and ex-miners enlisted with the armed forces, a problem which also occurred in France during their mobilisation. The Government were incapable of persuading more than a trickle of ex-miners to return to a beleaguered and dangerous industry.

So in 1943 the notoriously unpopular draft lottery was introduced, during which a number would be drawn from a hat, and all those who's national service number ended in that digit would be sent down the pits, with no hope of appeal. Not only were many Bevin Boys disappointed at not being allowed to join their preferred service, they were also quite often had to contend with the contempt of the public and suspicion of the Police, who suspected them of draft dodging or being conscientious objectors. Named for the Minster of Labour Ernest Bevin the 48,000 conscripts made a vital contribution to the war effort of the U.K., that has gone relatively unnoticed until recently.

Unlike many of books on the Bevin Boys this one is not a personal account of Taylor's own experience in the mines. It is an incredibly well researched work by someone who was actually there. While the book has much of what you expect from a particularly scholarly work, his own experience elevates the book beyond something that I have read as purely an academic source. Also unlike many more academic sources, it displays pictures of records, letters, and collieries which makes it easier to grasp the facts and figures. Importantly the book does not just cover the war years but covers to a degree the Bevin Boys' struggle for recognition (bearing in mind this is before the medal was awarded).

I realise this has been an odd book to review, but I certainly have my reasons which I hope you understand. I not expecting many people to read this review and pick it up (unless you like British Industrial history), however if you have learned something you find interesting I am happy.

Over an out Un:bound fanatics.