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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Lanarkshire => Topic started by: Bella55 on Thursday 21 November 24 12:21 GMT (UK)

Title: WWII, Exempt Occupations and Steelworks
Post by: Bella55 on Thursday 21 November 24 12:21 GMT (UK)

Hi, 

I've just posted in the Armed Forces/World War Two forum asking a question about Conscientious Objector records as I am pretty sure that someone I'm researching wasn't in the military in WWII.  However,  he worked in the steel industry all his life so I'm also wondering whether he had to continue contributing to steel production. 

I'm assuming the steelworks remained open during the war but does anyone have any information about this?  I'm vaguely aware of the 'Bevin Boys' scheme to keep the coal mines productive during the war but I'm not sure what the situation was in relation to steelworks.

thanks,
Bella

Title: Re: WWII, Exempt Occupations and Steelworks
Post by: CaroleW on Thursday 21 November 24 12:22 GMT (UK)

See reply to your other post - you didn't say you already knew his occupation

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=887463.msg7606469#msg7606469

If you Google your question there is a lot of info online re occupational exemption

Title: Re: WWII, Exempt Occupations and Steelworks
Post by: Jebber on Thursday 21 November 24 13:37 GMT (UK)

 Steel workers were exempt from serving.

Title: Re: WWII, Exempt Occupations and Steelworks
Post by: MollyC on Thursday 21 November 24 14:05 GMT (UK)

The steelworks not only remained open but increased production during the war.  I have a quote that the Park Gate Iron & Steel Works at Rawmarsh, near Rotherham, was employing over 700 women by the middle of 1943 doing a variety of jobs: scrap burning, furnace charging, crane driving and labouring - but significantly not operating furnaces, rolling mills or forge hammers.  That was heavy work for which they would have needed every skilled man available, several thousands probably, working three shifts.

(A Lifetime in Steel, 1987.  0 903666 32 4, p57)

Title: Re: WWII, Exempt Occupations and Steelworks
Post by: doolittle72 on Thursday 21 November 24 15:23 GMT (UK)

Hi Bella
My late husband's family all lived in Motherwell and all worked through the war in the steelworks.  Also my own family were all miners and worked on through the war as well.  They were both exempt occupations.
doolittle

Title: Re: WWII, Exempt Occupations and Steelworks
Post by: Bella55 on Thursday 21 November 24 20:56 GMT (UK)

Thanks to CaroleW, Jebber, MollyC and doolitte72 for the replies and the very useful information.

Apologies to any that I confused by posting about two individuals on two different fora but with essentially the same query - didn't think it through properly!

best wishes
Bella