One of the last veterans of World War Two has been recognised for his service during the war, eighty years later and finally received a Home Defence Medal from York Central MP Rachael Maskell at the Guildhall in York.
York resident, John Avery, aged ninety seven was awarded the medal for his service in the Civil Defence Messenger Service with the citation from the Cabinet Office, noting the medal is awarded for bravery on the Home Front by Rachael Maskell MP. The ceremony took place at the Guildhall at 2.30pm on Friday 5 April 2024, and Mr Avery’s family were present for the momentous occasion.
John (known to his friends as Jack) was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne and has lived in York for the past seventy five years. His service as a Civil Defence Messenger in Newcastle included many duties.
John says:
“I remember the Newcastle Blitz and taking crates of drink to the fire fighters and climbing over the hoses and debris while they fought the fires to make sure they got bottles of drink. We didn’t think of the danger, we just knew the fire fighters needed drinks to keep going”.
John signed up to join the Royal Navy at nineteen but was conscripted as a Bevin Boy to go and work in the coal mines instead.
“But 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”.
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.”
Mr Avery received the medal at a special presentation in York Guildhall on 5th April 2024 at 2.30pm. The medal was presented by Rachael Maskell MP who helped John receive his long overdue recognition.
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central 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.”
