If the booking was a non refundable ticket, why would you think you was going to get a refund? I ask that in the nicest possible way.
I'm not sticking up for BA but Strake, that's a bit harsh on the crew of today, of which there are just as many with the same passion as there were years ago. In fact there are many willing to do the job for a lower salary, so much they want to be crew.
It is ironic however that the crew you champion are the crew who, on another thread, are being slated.