Yorkregion.com - Columns - 60-year wait for recognition finally over
60-year wait for recognition finally over
Jim Mason
Columns
Apr 17, 2008 12:19 AM
By: Jim Mason
Ken Oakes just wanted a little respect.
Sixty years later, he’s got it, and from a prime minister of Great Britain, no less.
Now 81 and retired to Stouffville, Ken was a teenager growing up in England during the Second World War.
After fours studying to be a signaller in the sea cadets, he wanted to join the Navy. But, at age 18, he was conscripted at random to work in the coal mines during the war.
That he did, for four years.
He was one of the Bevin Boys, as the drafted coal miners were called.
“They have never been honoured and were never looked at as part of the forces,” said his daughter, Anne Salvagna. “He was even turned away at any (Royal British Legion) when he tried to apply stating he was a veteran. They told him no he was not considered a veteran. It was always a sore spot with him.”
Then-prime minister Tony Blair provided some ointment more than six decades later, promising the creation of special badges for the boys.
“I think it would give them some recognition for the tremendous work that they have done,” he said.
Yes, indeedy.
Ken met his wife, Doreen, when they worked in a cotton mill after the war. They moved to Canada in 1954, settled on the west side of the GTA and had two children. Ken worked for Coleman and the Halton school board before retiring.
But the value of his days in the mines as part of the war effort always nagged at him. At least until his badge arrived in the mail this spring.
It won’t get him in the Navy or erase the rejections at the legion, but it feels right.
“It’s about time the Bevin Boys were recognized for doing our part in the war.” he said. “It feels good to be finally recognized as a veteran, even after it taking 60 years.”
It feels so good, the Parkview Village resident wears the badge whenever he goes out. As he should.
Jim Mason is editor of The Sun-Tribune.