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Percy Wright
Bevin Boy
My mother has told me that my father Percy Wright was the very first Bevin Boy from Amble. He went to sign up for the army and was told he had flat feet and would be no use for marching - he offered to prove he could walk or 'March' the enrolling officer off his feet. However, the challenge wasn't accepted - anyone who knew my Dad would agree he could probably have done this easily as he was a great walker. So to the mines he was sent, and after a short time lodging in Gosforth (while he did his training), he retuend home to Amble and served at Hauxley, then Broomhill and finally a short time at Shilbottle coal mines. After the war he went to work on the coal boats at Amble Harbour as a coal trimmer. When the coal dried up they loaded grain instead. Later in life he worked as a mini bus driver taking and collecting men to/from Shilbottle and Hampeth collieries. He talked to me about the ponies and a little about the conditions in which they worked and how far out under the North Sea they travelled each day to reach the coal seams. Hw would have been pleased that the Bevin Boys were finally being recognised and to receive a badge for their service. I think he would have liked us (his family) to have been able to claim this on his behalf.
