A York war veteran has finally received a medal for his bravery 80 years on.
John Avery, aged 97, was presented with the Home Defence Medal by York Central MP Rachael Maskell at the Guildhall today (Friday).
It was for his efforts in the Civil Defence Messenger Service during the Second World War. The citation from the Cabinet Office says the medal is awarded for bravery on the home front.
John, known to his friends as Jack, was born in Newcastle and has lived in York for the past 75 years.
His work as a messenger involved many duties. “I remember the Newcastle Blitz and taking crates of drink to the firefighters and climbing over the hoses and debris while they fought the fires to make sure they got bottles of drink,” he said.
“We didn’t think of the danger, we just knew the firefighters needed drinks to keep going.”
Mr Avery signed up to join the Royal Navy at 19 but was conscripted as a Bevin Boy to go and work in the coal mines instead.
“I carried on in the Civil Defence Messenger Service all the way through my Bevin Boy time.
“The pits were very dangerous and I had a near fatal accident when some tubs of coal derailed and I ended underneath them in the smallest gap.
“How I escaped being killed I’ll never know.”
Service to our country
The Bevin Boys finally received official recognition recently but have never received a medal despite the being a conscripted service.
“This medal is not just for me but for all those who served on the Home Front and were never recognised.
“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. So sad.”
Ms Maskell presented the medal to Mr Avery in a ceremony witnessed by his family.
The MP said: “I was delighted to be able to present John with his medal today for his service to our country during World War II.
“With Mr Avery being one of the last few veterans in the UK, it was a memorable day for him and his family and it was lovely to hear his stories and hear of his time in the navy, as a Bevin Boy down the pits and how the world has changed in his 97 years.”