South Yorkshire Pits

Warwick Taylor was born at Harrow, Middlesex in August 1926 and was educated in Harrow and at Watford Grammar School. After leaving school he worked as a junior Clerk until conscripted for National Service during WWII. Having completed 3 1/2 years cadet training in the Air Training Corps, he expected to go into the Royal Air Force but was conscripted by ballot as a Bevin Boy to work in the coal mines in South Wales. After two years in mining he was able to transfer into the R.A.F to complete his National Service. Forty years in civilian life were spent working at Heathrow Airport with B.O.A.C/British Airways and finally with Customs & Excise. in retirement he is currently Vice President, Archivist and Public Relations Officer of the Bevin Boys Association and was awarded the M.B.E in 2000 for services to the Association. Warwick is a dedicated student of the history of mining and has written a previous book "The Forgotten Conscript" (A History of the Bevin Boy) as well as numerous articles concerning the industry. His work includes many Radio and TV interviews and regular talks to groups on the subject of the Bevin Boys and coal mining industry. Warwick is now remarried to Sheila having lost his first wife in 1986 having had two children by his first marriage.