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Being a Bevin Boy, one of the 48,000 men who spent the war years down the mines hacking out the coal for heat and power in homes, factories, trains and ships, was a long way from being the soft option that some who didn't have to do the work considered it to be. Many of these young men, who were chosen at random from the conscript registration numbers ending in the figure four, would have much preferred to go into the armed forces instead but had no choice.

Frank Robinson of Thornbury was one of them. He blew his top when he found out, fully expecting that he would go into the Army. He says that going down the mine (which was at least democratic, with everyone being treated the same be they a lord's son or from a pit family) was "a great culture shock" and that being condemned to that way of life was like prison.

However, he and his colleagues who spent four years down a Birkenshaw mine were engaged on work which was as vital to the war effort as those who served at the various fronts. And there must have been many times when it seemed no less dangerous.

It is only fair and just that these unsung war heroes should have finally been recognised with the presentation of commemorative medals by Gordon Brown. Their hard work and privations contributed a great deal to the ultimate victory. Better late than never, they deserve the nation's thanks.

4:34pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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