We cut the coal

Poster from the Ministry of Fuel and Power entitled ‘We cut the coal’ with a photograph of Winston Churchill and an extract from the speech given by Churchill at the Conference of Delegates of coal owners and miners, at Westminster Central Hall, 31st October 1942; Catalogue ref: INF 13/146 (67)

Churchill’s message in this poster was that miners working behind the scenes were vital to the war effort. Posters including words taken from his speeches were often used to inspire morale.

Transcript

“We shall not fail, and then some day, when children ask: What did you do to win this inheritance for us and to make our name so respected among men?” one will say: “I was a Fighter Pilot,” another will say: “I was in the Submarine Service,” another: “I marched with the Eighth Army,” a fourth will say: “None of you could have lived without the convoys and the Merchant Seamen,” and you, in your turn will say, with equal pride and with equal right: “WE CUT THE COAL.”

Winston Churchill

October 31st, 1942

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