BNTVA Campaign Magazine Autumn 2020

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

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Good news for British nuclear test veterans in Parliament

BNTVA Memorials uncovered Media coverage of Britain’s nuclear test veterans IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE

Contents Page 1

Page 15

A Message from our Patron

BNTVA Memorial

from Sir John Hayes CBE MP

Leeds

Page 2

Page 16

A Message from the Chair

BNTVA Memorials

from Ceri McDade.

Leicester & Liverpool

Page 4

Page 18

Why Remember?

BNTVA Memorials

from the Very Rev. Nicholas

Manchester & Paisley

Frayling KStJ. BNTVA Chaplain.

Page 19

Page 5

BNTVA Memorial

A Message from

Portsmouth

the Revd. Sian Gasson

Page 20

A nuclear test descendant and

BNTVA Memorials

Vicar of St Gabriel & St Cleopas,

Risca & Spalding

Liverpool.

Page 21 Page 6

BNTVA Memorials

Optimism for the British

West Ham & The Don Bar

Nuclear Test Veterans with the Overseas Operations' Bill

Page 22

A report from Ceri McDade

Reader’s Story A meeting with the Kiribati

Page 8

Ambassador regarding

National Atomic Veterans

Nuclear Testing by John Lax

Awareness Day

and Ron Watson

Page 27 Puzzle Page Page 28 Ways to pay your annual BNTVA membership subscription Page 30 Contact page

TRUSTEES Ceri McDade Chair John Lax Secretary Ron Watson Treasurer Wesley Perriman Curator & Editor John McDade Governance Officer Shelly Grigg Fallout & Shop Manager Andi Jones Montebello Representative David Bostwick Trustee

A report from Wesley Perriman Page 24 Page 9

Guinea Pig Ship

BNTVA Memorial

A book written

National Memorial Arboretum,

by Brian Marshall

Alrewas, Staffordshire Page 12 BNTVA Memorials Billingham & Birmingham Page 13 BNTVA Memorials Blackpool & Gillingham

Page 24

We want to hear from you...

BNTVA Coffin Drape Page 25 Dear Editor Page 26 The UN Nuclear Ban Treaty: A Historic Moment for Nuclear

Page 14

Test Veterans

Reader’s Story

A Report from Dr Becky

from Peter Fletcher

Alexis-Martin

If you would like us to interview you about your time spent at the British nuclear tests, or if you'd like to share any stories in our next magazine.

Please email info@bntva.com, phone 0208 144 3080 or write to BNTVA, The Smithy, Defynnog, Brecon, Powys LD3 8SB.

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

A Message from our Patron As veterans know, for years I have championed the cause of our neglected part of the veteran community – all those involved in nuclear testing.

People reading this will know that troops who – in the service of their Queen and country – were exposed to enormous amounts of toxic radiation have suffered numerous, serious health problems as a result of invisible alterations to cellular DNA.

servicemen involved in the UK’s

veterans will not be unintentionally

nuclear testing programme.

disadvantaged by measures in the

Now, as the Government are working hard to respect and protect the interests of veterans, I have urged them not to forget about those who served so bravely and

Responding to our campaign for adequate recognition for our brave nuclear test vets, the then Defence Secretary agreed that the Advisory Military Sub-Committee (AMSC) should consider the case for awarding a specially produced medal to the

suffered so severely following our nuclear testing programme.

As such, I have written to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of

Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill, designed to prohibit legal cases based on past events.

Working with colleagues across the House of Commons and supporters beyond, I will redouble my efforts to see a medal awarded to Nuclear Test Veterans. In view of their age, it can’t come soon enough!

State for Defence, Johnny Mercer MP, seeking reassurance that test

Rt Hon Sir John Hayes CBE MP

A Sad Departure from the Board of Trustees The other day I received an extremely sad and emotional email from my dear friend and colleague David Taunt.

David and I go back a long way, when we first met in 1961 on Christmas island. David was in the Royal Navy and I was in the Royal Air Force, but we became close friends, united by similar interests and Operation Dominic.

Sadly, David’s health has progressively

We worked on the Christmas Island Broadcasting Service, CIBS, and we both liked to water ski, scuba dive, race go-carts and play music.

Inter-service rivalry never featured in our relationship.

loss to the BNTVA and I will miss the

deteriorated over the years, and now his eye-sight is failing to the point that he feels that he must resign his position of Trustee and Vice Chair of the BNTVA; this will be a significant banter we both shared. There is no doubt that we will remain in contact with each other either by telephone or Messenger and, hopefully we will get together again to enjoy a beer or two.

Although David will no longer be part of the Board of Trustees he has promised to remain as active as he can within the Charity, and we welcome his continued participation with the BNTVA. Speaking on behalf of the board of trustees, we will all miss David’s contribution, insight and humour on such a regular basis.

John Lax

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CAMPAIGN Autumn 2020

A Message from the Chair Dear Member, Welcome to the Memorials’ Edition of the BNTVA Campaign.

Although this edition has come a short while since our last edition, we felt that, due to the second wave of Covid-19, ongoing lockdowns and the cancellation of the Whitehall March in London on Remembrance Sunday, we could provide a Campaign edition for those who are unable to attend their war memorial on November 8th.

A few veterans and descendants contacted after reading the Summer Campaign to attend the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire for the National Atomic Veterans’ Awareness Day (NAVAD), on 3 October. After being faced with a vicar who was potentially locked down in Liverpool, and changing guidelines in the weeks and days preceding the service, a limited number were allowed under very strict rules to socially distance and gather for the outside service during Storm Alex.

The service took part on the wettest day of the year, and we apologise that due to the torrential rain, we were unable to write a dedication on the wreath as the paper was so wet.

If we were able, It would have read, "To our brothers, husbands, and fathers, we thank you, miss you and will always remember you".

Part of the Covid-19 funding we received in July from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust was designated to further communication with our members, and we are keen to carry this out.

We are organising two Telephone Friendship Groups through the Silver Line Charity (part of Age UK), who own the platform, to commence from January 2021. We have received interest from veterans, wives and widows who would like to become part of these hour-long weekly groups to discuss hobbies, interests and chat, as well as volunteers who are interested in training to become facilitators. The groups are initially funded for 8 months through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and the Veterans’ Foundation, who currently fund Project Fallout, and are also interested in funding this increased communication for our members.

Please call 0208 144 3080 if you are interested in the BNTVA developing a service tailored for descendants.

Additionally, we still run the Daily Mirror funded text-a-friend service; if you feel you would benefit from this contact, please let me know.

Since the Summer Campaign edition, which included requests for veterans, wives, widows and descendants to get in touch with us, we have received some great feedback. One suggestion was to resurrect a newsletter for veterans who don’t wish to access the internet. Gordon Wilcox, ex-chairman of the BNTVA East Anglia Branch, has sent me a copy, and given a list of veterans who would be interested in receiving an interim newsletter.

So, in the future, a summary of news that we share on Facebook and through other online media, will be sent by post to those who would

A few descendants are feeling the strain of social isolation, loneliness and anxiety, and are seeking friendship with other descendants. To meet this need, we are looking at options for.

BNTVA running something similar for descendants to connect for a regular chat and support for one another.

otherwise miss it.

We have also heard from dozens of veterans, keen on submitting an application for a War Pension under the new eligibility criteria from the Office of Veterans’ Affairs.

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

We have been working daily on sending forms to veterans who have requested them, and helping with queries concerning submissions.

If you haven’t applied yet, please contact info@bntva.com, phone 0208 144 3080, or write to BNTVA, The Smithy, Defynnog, Brecon LD3 8SB for more information.

It is continuing to be a busy time in connecting with our members, and in finding veterans who may not yet have heard of the BNTVA. We are regularly approached by British nuclear test veterans expressing their interest in joining the Association for the first time, which is very encouraging. As part of BNTVA Covid-19 grant funding, we have placed an advertisement to find British nuclear test veterans in the Remembrance editions of the Royal British Legion magazine, ‘Legionnaire’, and in the Big Issue’s Captain Tom Moore November edition. We will be placing more adverts over the coming weeks in military magazines and newspapers.

On a happy note, we are thrilled that Shelly Taunt, David Taunt’s daughter, a professional rally driver, has proudly chosen to support the BNTVA with her brand new rally car and service vehicle. Our crest takes pride of place on both vehicles, and we are grateful too that ASF Signs have contributed the sign-writing as a donation to the BNTVA. We will feature Shelly, her co-driver Julie Murphy, and the rally car in the next issue of the Campaign magazine.

We are also delighted in gaining new volunteer appointed persons, and welcome the skills and experience of Helen Lax, our Safeguarding

Officer, and John Ward, our PR Officer. We welcome a decision made last week to exempt British nuclear test veterans from the Overseas Operations Bill, outlined in this edition, and I am pleased to have been invited to join the Advisory Board of the Brunel Centre for Health Effects of Radiological and Chemical Agents (CHRC), to bring the viewpoint of BNTVA members, discuss ongoing research and research possibilities. I hope to report back from my first meeting at the end of October in the next Campaign magazine. Thank you to the veterans who have shared stories, photographs and documents with the BNTVA since the Summer Campaign. We have a growing amount of narratives, and, again, through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust grant funding, will receive bespoke digital equipment to work towards collating data and starting to establish a virtual museum. Squeaky Pedal, who have made the Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary films for the Imperial War Museum will be interviewing veterans from all major test locations, and blending photographs, animation and narratives to produce films which meet our preservation of heritage and education constitutional object. These will be available on the BNTVA website, and for use in schools to further knowledge of the British nuclear tests in the community.

understand the frustration of continued waiting concerning any outcome.

Laura Cooke, journalist and granddaughter of a nuclear test veteran from Operation Hurricane, recently interviewed a number of veterans to highlight the plight still experienced concerning recognition and hope of a medal for experience and effects of the nuclear tests. Her article, published on October 23rd, entitled ‘Nearly 70 years on, why is Britain still refusing to truly recognise its nuclear test veterans?’ is available to read on www.metro.co.uk/2020/10/23/ britain-still-refusing-to-recogniseits-nuclear-test-veterans13409365/ We’d like to thank Laura for her eagerness to work with us to bring issues important to the British nuclear test veterans to the general public.

Finally, if you are a veteran and have wi-fi access, please contact if you think you would benefit from an Amazon 8 Fire tablet to improve communication with shopping, friends and family. We have 20 tablets to give away under Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Covid-19 funding; just let us know as soon as possible.

Ceri McDade UniDip (Theol.) PGCert (M.H.Psych)

On speaking to our Patron, Sir John Hayes MP, recently, he is very confident about the Medal Campaign that we are actively supporting, and he is heralding. Sir John is optimistic that the Advisory Military SubCommittee will soon meet. We will let members know as soon as we hear anything about this issue, and

PGDip. (Soc.Res.)

BNTVA Chair

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CAMPAIGN Autumn 2020

Why remember?

In the past thirty or so years, Remembrance has become steadily more important in our national life. As memories of the two World Wars began to fade, for understandable reasons, people thought it better to forget the horrors of war and ‘move on’.

The Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, together with modern media coverage of those and other conflicts, have brought sharp awareness of the realities of warfare to new generations.

Add to this, significant anniversaries - the centenary of the end of the First World War, the seventy-fifth of the end of the Second - and it is not surprising that there has been a change of mood.

November 11th, even when it falls on a working day, is much more often observed these days, and Remembrance Sunday is marked by people of all ages up and down the country.

This is as it should be. In an age when war is glamorized in the cinema and home ‘entertainment’, we do well to reflect on the reality of combat, and the cost paid by our servicemen and women in notorious and lesser conflicts. Those who have served in the armed forces assist this process by sharing their own memories and handing them on.

This story-telling has always been at the heart of our Association since

its formation, because the costliness of injury and illness, ‘attributable to service’, has so often been denied or belittled. Our members, their widows and their descendants, know better. It is why the present Medal campaign really matters….

For the Nuclear community, Remembrance is especially important, as fewer people are aware of the service given, and its dreadful consequences in the later lives of many Veterans and their children and grandchildren.

During my thirty plus years as your Chaplain, the Association has weathered many storms. Today, sadly, is no exception; but the one feature that unites all our people - if you like, the common factor is our obligation to Remember.

It has been my privilege to Dedicate almost all the BNTVA Memorials the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, which are listed in this Magazine. Those Dedications have all been deeply moving occasions, and in every case, civic and political representatives and community leaders have said ‘Why didn’t we

know about this?’ Memorials matter, because to remember is to pay tribute. As we look at our Memorials, and ‘remember our remembering’, may we be led to make fresh efforts on behalf of the living; may we come together to tell the story of the Tests in fresh and new ways; and, with God’s help, may we strive for a more just, inclusive and caring society. Those who have gone before us would expect nothing less.

With my heartfelt prayers for all our people, for the whole Community of Atomic Veterans throughout the world, and especially for all for whom the legacy of the Tests is a painful and ever-present reality.

If any members would like to be in contact, an email to info@bntva.com will find its way to me.

With all good wishes

Very Rev. Nicholas Frayling KStJ BNTVA Chaplain

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

A message from the Revd. Sian Gasson, nuclear test descendant and Vicar of St Gabriel & St Cleopas, Liverpool.

It was a real privilege to be asked to lead the short service at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) for National Atomic Veterans’ Awareness Day on October 3rd.

The journey from Liverpool to

much the grounds have been

Lichfield, by train, was one of the

developed and how the beautiful

rainiest I have ever experienced, but

plants have matured.

I was grateful that the relevant trains weren’t cancelled because of the weather.

The short service, which the BNTVA Chaplain, Very Revd. Nicholas Frayling, provided as he spent

Gradually, in the entrance area of

NAVAD with the Portsmouth nuclear

the NMA building, a group of us

test veterans, included a reading

started to gather together –

from 1 Peter 1 vv3-9. Peter talks

veterans, descendants, family and

about how we have to suffer various

friends – and we were well looked

trials, testing the genuineness of

after and entertained by the staff,

our faith, but how this is more

who even provided umbrellas for the

precious than gold when tested by

afternoon (which were gratefully

fire. I think that is true for all of us

received except by one gentleman

who stood dripping wet around the

who had already bought a rather

memorial, and true for all those

fetching black brolly with a red poppy

affected in any way by the horrors of

memorial design in the gift shop).

nuclear testing.

My only previous visit to the NMA

It is hard for us to see what good can

was about eight years ago with a

come of all this, but, when we go

group of Manchester High School

through difficulties, even suffering,

pupils, when I found the unassuming

we come out more aware of what is

Nuclear Veterans’ tribute, so it was a

important in life. Peter knew what it

really pleasant surprise this year to

was to live through the storms of

see a much larger memorial,

life, to experience real fear, and,

flanked by beautiful eucalyptus

eventually, to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

trees. In fact, even through the

He also knew that he couldn’t

driving rain, it was clear to see how

endure this on his own, and drew on

his faith in Jesus Christ to discover an indescribable joy and an eternal hope. That promise is there for all of us, too, and we will see glimpses of it as we encourage each other, stand together to fight for justice, and comfort each other in the storms.

It was very moving to listen in silence to the Last Post and Reveille, played by Antonio Socci, the bugler (even in the adverse weather conditions, he played perfectly), to lay wreaths and pay our respects, individually and as a community. We also stood in Portsmouth, as they had a similar ceremony, led by the Very Revd.

Nicholas Frayling.

Some friendships were made that afternoon, and many were deepened. I will continue to pray for more understanding of these tragedies, and for the right people in the right places to speak out for justice.

We will remember them.

Revd Sian Gasson

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CAMPAIGN Autumn 2020

Optimism for the British Nuclear Test Veterans with the Overseas Operations' Bill In March 2020, the Overseas Operations (service personnel and veterans) Bill was introduced to Parliament by the Right Hon Johnny Mercer MP. The Bill was created to protect service personnel and veterans from repeated investigations, despite no new evidence, in connection with historical overseas operations years after the original events.

The government thought it necessary to provide a greater legal protection to armed forces personnel and veterans who had served on military operations overseas by introducing a “triple lock”: 1. A presumption against prosecution in respect of alleged offences committed on overseas military operations more than five years ago.

2. A requirement for prosecutors to give particular weight to certain matters in reaching decisions in such cases.

3. A requirement to obtain consent of the Attorney General, or, in the case of Northern Ireland, the Advocate General, before a prosecution can proceed.

(Source: www.gov.uk website).

The Bill planned: •

For the court to consider the operational context when deciding whether to extend the normal time limits for bringing civil claims for personal injury or death and for bringing HRA claims (claims for declarations and/or damages) in connection with overseas operations.

• To introduce a long-stop restricting to an absolute maximum of six years the time limit for bringing civil claims for personal injury or death and for bringing in HRA claims in connection with overseas operations.

positive changes being introduced

• To ensure that all future governments are compelled to consider derogating from the European Convention on Human Rights in relating to significant overseas military operations.

British nuclear test veterans by

Effectively, this Bill set out to be a significantly negative step for Britain’s nuclear test veterans, by terminating any chance of claiming compensation in relation to the nuclear tests. Susie Boniface, reporter at the Daily Mirror and author of the Damned.mirror.co.uk, an in-depth report of the British nuclear tests and veterans, contacted our Chair, Ceri, in September, before the Second Reading. Susie suggested that Ceri should write to Johnny Mercer MP, the Minister for Defence, People and Veterans at the MOD. Ceri emailed, expressing thanks on behalf of the BNTVA, and stated that despite

Also, the Bill would negatively affect

over the summer by the Office of Veterans’ Affairs concerning eligibility criteria for British Nuclear Test Veterans War Pension claims, the BNTVA had become increasingly concerned that the proposed legislation would be detrimental to negatively affecting claims for compensation for the effects of radiological exposure at the British nuclear tests, by barring personal injury claims for our veterans.

claims for compensation for the effects of radiological exposure at the British nuclear tests by barring personal injury claims for British nuclear test veterans.

On 16 October, our Chair, Ceri, received the following reply from Mr Mercer. Mr Mercer assured the BNTVA that War Pension claims would be unaffected by the Bill, but the reply brought up more questions for the BNTVA to ask concerning the six-year rule and future compensation claims, so Ceri contacted the Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO)

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

about her concerns with the Bill.

COBSEO shared the concerns of the BNTVA, and stated that the Royal British Legion were present at theParliamentary Committee raising points at the time of the Second Reading; this was a nail-biting time for the BNTVA.

The BNTVA would like to thank all those who have contributed towards this change, and we await further scientific research into the effects of ionizing radiation to unfold regarding our cause.

Ceri passed Mr Mercer’s letter to Susie, who brought it to the attention of Conservative backbenchers planning to derail the Bill, the Shadow Armed Forces Minister, Stephen Morgan MP, and the Shadow Defence Committee.

Concerning Mr Mercer, Mr Morgan stated, “This is no way to treat our veterans and not worthy of the office of Minister he currently occupies. Either he has misled the BNTVA, or he doesn’t even understand his own Bill.”

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MINISTER

16 October 2020

Rt Hon Dr Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, asked whether British servicemen involved in the UK’s nuclear tests would be affected by the change in the Law. An MOD spokesman responded, “Nuclear test veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to their service have the right to reply for no fault compensation under the War Pensions scheme. Their ability to bring a civil claim is unaffected.. because the testing programme does not fall within the definition of an overseas operation as set out in the legislation.”

4.4.2.16

ern that you raised a conc the of er 2020, in which 2 mb rt pte Pa to Se on 24 ati rel ur email of the (BNTVA) has in Thank you for yo ans Association ter Ve st Te ar the British Nucle tions Bill.

Overseas Opera of the Bill apply periods in Part 2 6-year limitation Human Rights the the t r tha de u un yo s im ure cla ss d the provisions I am happy to rea ury and death) an er inj l aft na ht ug rso pe bro r are s (fo erations, which ability of British only to tort claim op ry the lita on mi ct s pa ea im overs ve no y disablement an Act, in relation to ese provisions will therefore ha for ed im cla be . Th ions, which may ns come into force pe r wa im cla ans to nuclear test veter n. service terminatio at any time after

Dear Ceri,

Yours sincerely,

ER MP JOHNNY MERC

(Source: www.mirror.co.uk/uk-news/ nuclear-heroes-can-sue-mod-22891601).

This clarification is significantly positive news for the BNTVA, all British nuclear test veterans and the wider nuclear community.

Ceri McDade BNTVA Trustee & Chair s Nuclear Veteran The Charity for man@bn By email: Chair

tva.com

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National Atomic Veterans

Awareness Day The 3rd of October is National Atomic Veterans Awareness Day [NAVAD]. This year we were present at the National Memorial Arboretum and now we are thinking on towards Remembrance Sunday.

Unfortunately, 2020 has seen us all facing new challenges and restrictions. The Royal British Legion have informed the BNTVA that we are unable to attend the emembrance Parade and Memorial Garden in London.

As many of you know there are several BNTVA memorials dotted around the UK. It has come to our attention that there is an incomplete list of these memorials; most were installed by the old BNTVA branch system 20-30 years ago. These days with local lockdowns and social distancing, we lament their loss.

I grew up on the south coast; my family had some involvement with the kind folk of the southern branch after my father died (mainly with Bobbie Brewster), but, after relocating to Yorkshire, the first

time I'd found out about the West Yorkshire branch was at the laying up of the Standard in Leeds minster in 2018.

Throughout my research I’ve spoken to other descendants who hadn’t realised that there had been local branches or regional memorials, as many of us have been brought together via Shelly’s fantastic Fallout group on Facebook over the last 8 years. So, as part of the Covid recovery, we will be looking at building some regional hubs around the local community and online.

These won’t be the branches of old, but will be an opportunity for us to encourage social inclusion at a grassroots level. We would love to hear from our past branch teams to assist with implementation.

Wesley Perriman BNTVA Curator

We have included a what3words location code to aid finding a memorial What is what3words? “We divided the world into 3 metre squares and gave each square a unique combination of three words. It’s the easiest way to find and share exact locations.” (ref what3words.com)

Here is the current memorial list, if we have missed any please let us know!

1. National Memorial Arboretum BNTVA Memorial stones pg 9 2. Billingham. BNTVA plaque, Garden of Remembrance pg 12 3. Birmingham BNTVA plaque Peace Garden pg 12 4. Blackpool BNTVA plaque, Salvation Army Citadel pg 13 5. Gillingham Sapper F Furlong Plaque, St Barbara’s Garrison Church pg 13 6. Leeds BNTVA Memorial stone, Leeds Minster Churchyard pg 15 7. Leicester BNTVA plaque, Victoria Park Peace Walk pg 16 8. Liverpool BNTVA plaque, St John’s Gardens pg 16 9. Manchester BNTVA plaque, St Peters Square pg 18 10. Paisley, BNTVA Memorial Stone, Renfrewshire pg 18 11. Portsmouth BNTVA Plaque & Bench, Cathedral Grounds pg 19 12. Risca BNTVA plaque, Cenotaph Grounds pg 20 13. Spalding, BNTVA Stone, Peace Gardens pg 20 14. West Ham, BNTVA Plaque,

By using the website or app you can input the 3-word code to get the location of the memorial. We have tried to get these as close as possible but please let us know if they are wrong so we can update our database. Also please bear in mind that some of these are inside buildings and might have restricted access.

All Saints Church pg 21 15. The Last Post and the Don Bar pg 21

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

BNTVA Memorials

1. National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire Memorial is no. 411. /// tiny.disbanded.urge

In 1988 Commander David Childs CBE

this was matched by thousands of

The former gravel abstraction

wished to establish a national focus or a “centre” for Remembrance forming a living tribute to service men and women for future generations to reflect upon and enjoy. In 1994 an appeal was launched by the Prime Minister, John Major, and the agreement of three key proposals assured its future.

donations, both large and small, from a wide variety of organisations, both military and civilian, men and women, corporate and voluntary.

workings at Alrewas became the site

The site would be the location of the Armed Forces Memorial. The Ministry of Defence would pay a significant grant-in-aid allowing free entry and The Royal British Legion would accept the gift of the site as the focus for the Nations’ year-round Remembrance.

from the Forestry Commission and

The project began with no money, no land, no staff and no trees. National Lottery funding provided a grant of some forty per cent of the cost and

A brief history of the National Memorial Arboretum (abridged wikipedia).

of the NMA following its gifting by Lafarge in 1997, and the initial planting took place thanks to grants the National Forest.

The Arboretum was officially opened on 16 May 2001. It is now part of The Royal British Legion family of charities.

Following the passing of his great friend Peter Williams, BNTVA

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British Nuclear Test Veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum

activist Bob Smith was inspired by the work of his Grandfather who was involved in the recovery and reburial of bodies from the battlefields of the Great War and in the construction of Commonwealth War Grave Cemeteries for both wars.

Bob campaigned tirelessly in his own words “to ensure those that

A decision was made to create a new longer lasting memorial which would carry the marble plaque from the old memorial and be moved to a more striking position within the BNTVA plot. This was unveiled on the 3rd October 2012 by Bob Smith in his final duty to the BNTVA before taking his long-deserved retirement.

have been lost will never be airbrushed from the face of history” and, in 2006, Bob accompanied Peter’s widow ‘Gron’ to the new BNTVA plot at the NMA where they unveiled the memorial.

This memorial served as the centre of the nuclear test communities' remembrance until 2012, where it was noted that the fabric of the structure was suffering from exposure to the elements.

The 3rd of October had become synonymous with the British Nuclear Test Community as it had been chosen by members from Portsmouth to commemorate the first test of a British atomic device, Operation Hurricane, in 1952.

Adopting this date, the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association named it National Atomic Veterans Awareness Day (NAVAD) from a suggestion by Bob Smith.

The BNTVA had paid for the new memorial and its development had been constrained by the available funds. In 2016, an opportunity arose for the Association to bid for funding to complete the national memorial in line with the original aspiration.

Funding was gained and the responsibility for delivering the final additions to the memorial was passed to the Nuclear Community Charity Fund under their Remembrance project.

Following delays negotiating amendments to the design to comply with NMA planning conditions, the new memorial additions were finally unveiled and dedicated at a ceremony marking NAVAD 2018. BNTVA veterans Derek Hickman RE and Terry Washington RN were chosen to unveil the two memorial extensions.

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

The dedication services for the BNTVA memorials at the NMA were all conducted by the Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling BNTVA Chaplain.

Some interesting notes: • The original memorial is still at the NMA, the plaque is on the centre stone of the current memorial and all the remains of the original structure were incorporated into the footing and base of the new memorial.

• Derek Heaps, who, at the time of his death, was the longest serving BNTVA official, conducted his final duty for the BNTVA before he passed away by visiting the quarry and selecting the centre stone for the new memorial.

• BNTVA Chairman, Nigel Heaps attended the memorial at the NMA every NAVAD from its inception until his retirement.

He would greet visitors during the morning and the NMA tour trains would pull up at the memorial so he could answer questions from visitors.

• The new memorial is made from Ancaster Stone quarried around Ancaster, Lincolnshire. As well as being used for the church at Ancaster there have also been many great works of architecture constructed from Ancaster stone including; Wollaton Hall, Belton House, Harlaxton Manor, Mentmore Towers, St Pancras Station, Norwich Cathedral and St Johns College, Cambridge.

It has also been used for sculptures

by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. https://www.iwm.org.uk/ memorials/item/memorial/61762

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BNTVA Memorials

2. Billingham Garden of Remembrance, Billingham, Stockton On Tees, Cleveland, England ///rises.earth.bulb The ex-BNTVA secretary, Shelia Gray, had a lot to do with the memorial in Billingham. Her late husband, Frank, died in 1992 from cancer. He had served at Operation Hurricane 1952.

The pair were founding members of the BNTVA in the early 80s. Shelia passed away in 2009.

The plaque is black granite with gilt lettering, saying; BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION NE ENGLAND DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TEST VETERANS WHO HAVE DIED SINCE THE BRITISH TESTS AT MONTE BELLO, EMUFIELDS,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ 11065676@N00/6308586247

MARALINGA MALDEN ISLAND,

https://www.iwm.org.uk/ memorials/item/memorial/65869

1952 – 1962

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

“NOT FORGOTTEN”

3. Birmingham St Thomas’ Peace Garden, Bath Row, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2EF ///really.spits.glass The memorial is a black plaque with gold text situated in the St Thomas’ Peace Gardens, installed 1994, It now resides in the remains of St Thomas’ Church, which was a neoclassical style and was originally built as an act of remembrance following the Battle of Waterloo.

The plaque is black granite with gilt lettering, saying;

The church suffered a direct hit during the Birmingham Blitz on 11th December 1940 leaving only the tower and portico. The site was landscaped for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and later turned into a Peace garden in 1995.

MONTE BELLO, EMUFIELDS,

BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION Dedicated to the memory of test veterans who have died since the British test’s at

MARALINGA MALDEN ISLAND, CHRISTMAS ISLAND “ALL WE SEEK IS JUSTICE” 17TH September 1994

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4. Blackpool Main Assembly Hall, Salvation Army Citadel, Raikes Parade, Blackpool FY1 4EL /// fluid.valid.leap Two rectangular plaques with incised inscription, lettering in black.

Mounted on a wooden backboard, on the wall of the main assembly hall.

These were organised by Sidney Harris, a veteran of Christmas island, who was in the Salvation Army.

Inscription Plaque 1: BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION, DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS TEST VETERANS WHO HAVE DIED SINCE THE BRITISH TESTS AT MONTE BELLO EMU FIELD MARALINGA MALDEN ISLAND AND CHRISTMAS ISLAND "ALL WE SEEK IS JUSTICE" Inscription Plaque 2:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/ memorials/item/memorial/61874 Access by appointment only https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/ blackpool-citadel

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE COMMONWEALTH FORCES AND CIVILIANS OF AUSTRALIA FIJI - NEW ZEALAND. WHO SERVED ON THE BRITISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS PROGRAMME 1952 - 1958 "NOT FORGOTTEN".

5. Gillingham On south wall, St Barbara’s Garrison Church, Maxwell Road, Gillingham, Rochester Upon Medway, Kent, ME7 5SG ///epic.woods.quite This is not a BNTVA plaque but a memorial for Sapper Frank Furlong who died. We've included an article about Peter Fletcher, ex-BNTVA Chairman, who served with Frank Furlong during Operation Hurricane.

Peter speaks of flying back out to the Montebello Islands and holding a memorial service at Frank's graveside in Australia. Peter also led the campaign for the plaque to be placed at Gillingham

The plaque has the following inscription;

https://www.iwm.org.uk/ memorials/item/memorial/61874

COMRADES

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF SAPPER FRANK FURLONG 71 FIELD SQUADRON R.E. KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE MONTEBELLO ISLANDS, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, WHILE WORKING IN CONNECTION WITH THE ATOMIC WEAPON TRIAL 13TH OCTOBER 1952. AGED 30 YEARS ERECTED BY HIS

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Reader’s Story by Ron Knight

Peter Fletcher I first met Peter Fletcher an Ex Chepstow boy soldier in 1951when like so many regular and National servicemen we formed 71 Fld Squadron in Abergavenny South Wales.

This Squadron was to be (although at the time we didn’t know it) the guinea pigs for the first Atomic bomb test on a remote set of desolate Islands off the North West coast of Western Australia. The Monte Bello Islands. Forever etched in my memory.

On returning to England, we were sent to Kingshill Camp in Hoo St Werburgh on the Isle of Grain. But not for long as we were all split up and went to different units and scattered to the four winds.

I didn’t meet up with Peter again until September 1986 when he came out to Perth WA with Frank Gray, both were involved in the BNTVA and they wanted to visit Monte Bello Islands, Woomera and Maralinga all within ten days. It dawned on them that Australia is a vast country and to get to Onslow north west of Perth was a five day drive then a boat trip to MB. Due to time constraints we held a commemoration service at the War Memorial in Kings Park overlooking the beautiful Swan River. Wreathes were laid for all people who had perished in the nuclear holocaust of past conflicts, for the Aboriginal nations that had suffered the effects of radiation and told of the dire consequences.

It was in 1987 that Peter as a representative of the BNTVA arrived

on my doorstep on October 1st with plane tickets to Karratha in the north and a trip to Barrow Island then onto Monte Bello on the 3rd October for the first commemorative at the Islands.

All this due to Peter’s persistence and patience organising the trip, going back after so long had a profound effect on both of us and we said we must make it back to Monte B again, this happened in 1991 Peter and a friend Chris Rowlands arrived on the last day of September and again Pete had arranged everything with WAPET OIL who ran Barrow Island.

They flew out of Perth on the 2nd October and were in and on the Monte Bello Islands (by Chopper courtesy of Bell Helicopters contracted to WAPET) at 8.30am to once again hold a service in remembrance of the 39th anniversary of the first test and then fly to Onslow for a dedication service at the graveside of Spr Frank Furlong who died on October 13th 1952.

Peter had fought and won funds from the British Legion to maintain the grave for ten years.

It was to be the last time I was to see Peter in Australia.

Having taken on the Chairmanship of BNTVA he worked hard and long for the cause and the association and we corresponded regularly.

Peter’s health was failing but he never gave up fighting for the cause to better the lives of our members who have suffered so much from the ravages of nuclear radiation.

It was in 1996 that I met Peter for the last time at his home in St Helens.

I was shocked at his frailty as his body slowly and painfully succumbed to his sickness. He asked for my word and a promise that I would go back to the Monte Bello Islands again. This was solemnly given and I made it back to the Islands for the 50th anniversary and at 8.30am on October 3rd I stepped ashore with the British Standard. Afterwards, I phoned Peter to let him know we had done it.

Peter Fletcher was a tireless hard working man, as he saw the awful effects that radiation did to the human body and committed himself to trying to right the wrongs done to us, the serviceman who through no fault of their own were sent into radiated areas without a thought for them by the government.

There are many others who also worked as hard but this is my story about Peter Fletcher, Soldier, boxer,loyal friend who never gave up the fight for others.

Ron Knight Perth, Western Australia March 21st 2012

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BNTVA Memorials

6. Leeds Churchyard, Leeds Minster Churchyard, Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 7EG ///cave.belong.stocks The Leeds memorial to the British Nuclear Veterans was the result of the activities of the West Yorkshire Branch of the BNTVA. Sited in the grounds of Leeds Minster its care was given over to the Minster who continue to tend the memorial today.

As part of the Remembrance Project of the NCCF, the memorial was restored and re-dedicated on the 7th October 2018. In the following Evensong Service, the Standard of the West Yorkshire Branch of the BNTVA was laid up in the Minster. https://nucleartest.online/leeds-minster/ https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/46927

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BNTVA Memorials

7. Leicester The Peace Walk, Victoria Park ///live.bunks.rarely Black granite plaque gold installed 27th November 1993; BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION, DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TEST VETERANS WHO HAVE DIED SINCE THE BRITISH TESTS AT MONTE BELLO EMU FIELD MARALINGA, MALDEN ISLAND AND CHRISTMAS ISLAND "ALL WE SEEK IS JUSTICE" 27th November 1993 https://www.flickr.com/photos/richard_of_leicester/17695393782/in/photostream/ https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/37681

8. Liverpool St John’s Gardens, which lies behind St George’s Hall.

The plaque is black granite with gilt lettering, saying; BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION, DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TEST VETERANS WHO HAVE DIED SINCE THE BRITISH TESTS AT MONTE BELLO EMU FIELD MARALINGA MALDEN ISLAND AND CHRISTMAS ISLAND "ALL WE SEEK IS JUSTICE" 3rd October 1990

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/182928/ https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:British_nuclear_tests_ memorial,_St_John%27s_Gardens.jpg

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Merseyside Memorials: Below are photos from the unveiling of the original Liverpool memorial by the BNTVA Merseyside branch. The memorial was subsequently vandalised and had to be replaced, we have included two articles from the Liverpool Echo which reported on its destruction and restoration.

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BNTVA Memorials

9. Manchester St Peters Square, M2 3DF ///acute.camp.spots This memorial was moved to allow a new tramline to the built, and was renovated and placed in a new location in 2017. This work was carried out by the NCCF.

Polished black granite with gilt lettering saying; BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION Dedicated To The Memory Of Test Veterans Who Have Died Since The British Tests At MONTE BELLO, EMUFIELDs, MARALINGA MALDEN ISLAND, CHRISTMAS ISLAND 1952 – 1962

https://nucleartest.online/ manchester/

Not forgotten 3rd October 1996

10. Paisley Renfrewshire – Outside Renfrewshire Council offices, opposite Paisley Abbey ///enjoy.tower.loose The BNTVA Scottish Standard was laid up by Roddy Moffat, who passed away in 2020, in Martin's Memorial Church, Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

The plaque is black granite with gilt lettering, saying; DEDICATED TO ALL SERVICEMEN & CIVILIANS WHO TOOK PART IN THE ATOMIC TEST PROGRAMME AT CHRISTMAS ISLAND, MALDEN ISLAND, MONTEBELLO, EMUFIELD & MARALINGA

https://issuu.com/bntva/docs/ bntva_campaign_3/4

ALSO TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF AUSTRALIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC

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11. Portsmouth Plaque, Portsmouth Cathedral ///enjoy.tower.loose Memorial stone set into the ground accompanied by a memorial bench.

BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TEST VETERANS WHO HAVE DIED SINCE THE BRITISH TESTS AT MONT BELLO, EMUFIELD, MARALINGA, MALDEN ISLAND, CHRISTMAS ISLAND "ALL WE SEEK IS JUSTICE" THIS STONE WAS UNVEILED BY COUNCILLOR SYD RAPSON BEM THE LORD MAYOR ON TUESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 1991 Portsmouth Cathedral also houses the old BNTVA National Standard which was laid up 6th October 2011. The BNTVA Portsmouth / Southern branch standard was laid up last year in the Church of St Mary, Portsea. http://www.memorialsinportsmouth.co.uk/churches/cathedral/ nuclear_test_vets.htm

Bench PRESENTED BY BRITISH NUCLEAR TEST VETERANS ASSOCIATION PORTSMOUTH BRANCH 1992

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BNTVA Memorials

12. Risca Plaque back wall behind the war memorial in the Cenotaph Grounds ///fairy.relegate.retiring The BNTVA Welsh Standard is laid up in Risca. We would like to know in which church it resides. If you know, please contact the BNTVA.

https://www.coein.gov.uk/en/arch ive/6406398/details/504?fbclid=IwA R0ZENBWyqzAXpruFKcCQld98sw7 M4rGhwbiL7LO8kwMamsuzwWvp_SLWI https://commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/File:Risca_War_memorial_20 17.jpg

13. Spalding Gardens of Peace, Ayscoughfee Hall, Love Lane, Spalding, South Holland, Lincolnshire, PE11 2PF ///stacks.noses.festivity The Peace Gardens are situated adjacent to the WW1 Memorial, in Ayscoughfee Hall grounds. The BNTVA memorial stone is set within the format of an RAF roundel.

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

14. West Ham All Saints Church, Church Street, West Ham, Newham, Greater London, E15 3HU ///agrees.darker.darker Ken Taylor (Royal Navy Cook, HMS Narvik, Christmas Island) and his wife, Pam, organised the placing of the BNTVA memorial plaque at All Saints' Church, Newham.

The Middlesex and London Standard is laid up at the same church.

Left: Verso details written by Ken Taylor https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/56534

15. The Don Bar The Don Bar Memorial Museum & Last Post Memorial Bar, Cranworth Street, Thornaby TS17 7DR ///pipe.clubbing.liberated In 2018, Shelly Grigg, Bob Ireland and Alison Walker approached businesses around Middlesbrough, to raise donations for the BNTVA. The Don Bar Memorial in Stockton-on-Tees had sanded a table for a lady whose son was killed in action in Afghanistan, and laser printed it with his regiment. Shelly asked if this could be done for the BNTVA also, and the Don Bar were happy to do this.

So, the day the BNTVA table was unveiled in October 2018, Bob talked about the British nuclear tests, and Shelly, Bob and Alison laid a wreath at the Stockton War Memorial, with a piper and bugler present, to remember those who have gone yet are not forgotten.

The table has now been moved to the new premises of the Don Bar Memorial Museum and Veterans' Hub Community Interest Company, and Last Post Memorial Bar in Cranworth Street, Thornaby, TS17 7DR.

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A Report from Ceri McDade, Ron Watson and John Lax

A meeting with the Kiribati Ambassador regarding Nuclear Testing Christian Ciobanu, the New York Representative of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation invited John Lax (Operation Dominic) and Ron Watson (Operation Grapple) to speak at the New Horizons for Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation Conference, held virtually online on 13 October.

The event was chaired by His Excellency the Kiribati Ambassador to the United Nations and United States, and the Kiribati Ambassador Designate to Mexico and Canada.

Delegates included the Permanent Mission of Kiribati, Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic, the Centre for International Security and Policy, ICAN France, and the Vatican.

Although the BNTVA does not take a stance on nuclear weapons, we felt it important to attend for John and Ron to share their experiences of Christmas Island and health effects affecting themselves and/or their families. Their transcripts are below: Ron: “I am a retired UK servlceman, and now the Treasurer of the British Nuclear Veterans Association, who witnessed five nuclear bomb tests in 1958. I arrived on Christmas Island in January 1958, along with a complete regiment of close to 1,000 soldiers, having left England, by boat, on New Year's Eve 1957. At the time, I do not remember being told why we were on the Island, and, when notified, along with most of my friends, it meant nothing as we

had no real idea what a nuclear bomb was.

During my time on the Island I never met any of the local inhabitants. In the beginning, I lived in what we called the Main Camp, now where the Captain Cook Hotel is located, and in the first four months, worked at the docks, now London, the Main Airfield and, for a time, prior to April 1958, along with a complete Squadron of Soldiers, lived at the Control Centre in the Bay of Wrecks, that was known as C Site. The first bomb I witnessed was called Grapple Y. This was the largest bomb that the UK tested and it took place on the 28th April 1958.

Following this, I continued to work and travelled to the C Site and the South East Point of the Island, where there were banks of cameras set up to film the H Bomb explosions, which exploded about five miles south of the Island. During the period of April-September there were a total of three H bombs, and two atom bombs tested. The two atom bombs were suspended in a basket, that was attached to a vertical row of four barrage balloon's about 400 metres above the ground, and approximately, half way between the South East Point of

the Island the Control Centre.

I mentioned earlier that I never met any of the local inhabitants and, in 2018, changed this by returning to the Island, now Kiritimati, along with a group of other veterans, and their wives, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Grapple Y test. This took place on the 28th April, at a Memorial, which had been specifically designed and built for this ceremony, and located in London. During the week I was on the Island in 2018. I met many government officials, the members of the Island's Nuclear Victims Association and members of the population, that I have maintained contact with, via social media, and can now call them my friends. In fact, the Leader of their Association, Teeua Taukaro, refers to me as "Bro" when she sends me messages.”

John: “I arrived on Christmas Island, as a 20 years old Senior Aircraftman in the Royal Air Force, in September 1961. My role was to service and maintain aircraft radio communication equipment and some navigation aids.

At that time, we were not made aware of any proposed Nuclear Tests in the immediate future, there

CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020

were only 250 British servicemen on Christmas Island made up of all three branches of the British Military.

All of us were accommodated at Port London. Those of us that were employed at the airfield were bussed to our various places of work each morning; departure times depended on whether we were sending an aircraft to Hawaii or receiving one back.

Prior to the arrival of the US personnel, Main Camp had to be re-activated and made fit to be lived in, it had been unoccupied since the British Grapple Tests. In early 1962 US aircraft began arriving bringing in equipment, supplies and personnel that we were advised were for the proposed Nuclear Bomb tests. We later discovered the tests were to be called Operation Dominic by the US the British element was called Operation Brigadoon.

For two weeks, due to the US not sending any ground crew, we had to handle a large number of USAF aircraft daily stretching our limited manpower as we still had our own aircraft to maintain. Eventually the situation was resolved and things returned to “normal”. An interesting fact: there were more US military personnel brought in on the first three transports than we had in all three branches of the British military resident on the Island.

As the build-up to the tests began in earnest, the US Airforce set up a mobile weather station, aircraft arrived that would fly through the mushroom cloud and collect samples, a decontamination site was prepared and lots of restricted areas were established.

Prior to the tests proper a series of High Explosive “dummy runs” took place and we learned to take notice of “Mahatma”, the code name for the

control centre, when he broadcast information.

I was one of those who witnessed the full suite of Operation Dominic tests.

As the countdown progressed, we would assemble on the soccer pitch wearing our standard tropical uniform consisting long trousers and long-sleeved shirt, our safety equipment consisted of a pair of dark goggles and a radiation film badge.

We sat on the ground with our backs to the blast, we had no idea what safety precautions were in place for the Gilbert and Ellis Islanders in the neighbouring village.

When the countdown reached zero there was a very loud “bang”, the sky would change from black to bright blue as though the sun had been turned on, this effect caused some people to refer to the test weapons as “buckets of sunshine”. As the fireball dissipated, we were permitted to turn and look at it keeping our goggles on.

A short time later we would feel the effects of the blast in the form of a strong gust of wind. The sight was quite breath-taking, the variety of colours changed as the glow dissipated and the mushroom cloud developed, and were quite spectacular.

I recall thinking that this weapon would deter anyone from using a similar weapon in anger.

As the tests progressed, we became rather blasé and did not bother to get out of bed, we just put on our goggles and turned over with our backs to the explosion and wait for the fireball to dissipate. Once the event was over, we would dress, have breakfast and our normal working day would continue as though nothing had happened.

Over the years, during my time in the Royal Air Force, I would come to service some of the types of aircraft

that would, potentially, be the platform to deliver such a weapon. I am not qualified to state positively the medical legacy of these tests, I can only give you my opinions. These opinions are based on my own experiences and information gleaned from interaction with veterans and descendants in my role as secretary of the BNTVA. Many veterans have stated that their descendants have developed either benign or malignant growths, or both, that could be attributed to excessive exposure to nuclear radiation. My own son, at the age of 14, developed a tumour on the wall of his carotid artery, subsequent removal and analysis revealed it to be benign. My daughter has had several lumps in her breasts again, all have been proven to be benign. Other veterans, sadly, experienced their wives having unplanned pregnancy terminations and the distress associated with such an event.

Both veterans and their descendants have developed unusual cancers which may or may not be attributed to radiation exposure. Some veterans have suffered various mental health issues such as depression, displays of guilt, which have been reflected in attitudes towards family members.

In extremes, some have succumbed to taking their own lives, others have taken to drink or drugs.

Although many veterans show obvious pride in their military service despite the fact that many were conscripted into the armed forces, many also feel responsible for the effect their presents at nuclear tests may have had on loved ones.

1st/2nd/3rd generation descents have also exhibited mental and physical issues similar to, what we now know as, PTSD.”

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Guinea Pig Ship We would like to thank Brian Marshall's family, who have given the BNTVA permission to reprint this book.

Brian was in the Royal Navy, and a British nuclear test veteran, present at Operation Mosaic in 1956, on the The BNTVA has the sole rights of sale for "Guinea Pig Ship - HMS Diana 1956-57" on this UK print run and the book is attracting a lot of worldwide interest.

We have 100 copies for sale.

It costs £15 plus £2 postage, with all proceeds donated to the BNTVA. If you would like to purchase a copy, please contact us on 0208 144 3080 or email info@bntva.com.

BNTVA Coffin Drape For those who are recently bereaved, the BNTVA offers a coffin drape with the BNTVA crest at no cost to those who require it.

The drape is sent directly from the BNTVA to the undertaker for use during the funeral, and then the undertaker returns the drape to the BNTVA. Please contact 0208 144 3080 if you require this service, or if you feel you need any bereavement support.

We are here to help.

We would like to thank Michelle Harding, descendant, for giving her permission for us to share this photograph of the funeral of her father, Michael Peter White RN, HMS Narvik.

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Dear Editor I noticed a photo taken by Dave Trinder in the BNTVA Summer 2020 issue on page 10-11. He was in the REME with me on Christmas Island 1958-59.

He was very good with the camera.

I have a set of photos he had taken, when we had a week’s holiday at Honolulu. I wonder if there are some of the crew still around who are with the BNTVA? These are some of the names of those who were out there with me – DAVE TRINDER – CHUCK MILEHAM – NOBBY CLARKE – JOCK BAILLIE – PIMLOT – McDONALD – SHATTELL – PRICE – GUEST – SHEPHERD – CATTON. I apologise if I have not spelt their names correctly.

The REME was a small unit on the Island, but very effective keeping transport going. If any of these men want to get in touch with me, they can contact me by letter or phone, as I do not have a computer. We had some good times swimming, BBQs on the beach; we built our own club house so we could get together over a pint of beer and music. I have enclosed 2 photos of me and some of the lads.

Yours sincerely, With best wishes, D. Neale, RE “Burchett” 18 Hall Lane, Hingham Norfolk, NR9 4JX 01953 850885

Peter Bullen, veteran of Christmas Island, writes, “It looks like we will have to live with the coronavirus for a long time, which is causing great hardship, and in the case of the elderly, loss of life. This makes me wonder how our veterans are coping with either being ill, or being in isolation and loneliness.

The BNTVA mentioned needing ideas for the good of veterans. I feel the BNTVA needs to broaden its base in the interest of all veterans, inside and outside the BNTVA. We must try and find as many veterans as possible, and help is needed.

I understand there are only twenty two thousand took part in the nuclear tests; of these, there are only around two to three thousand alive now.

As mentioned, we are now old and some are ill and very lonely. I feel we have a duty to find these veterans to try and bring them together and see what we can do to help them.

We could seek the help of the Daily Mirror and maybe the British Legion to track down these veterans. I do hope you can help the Chairman unite us all to find these veterans.”

With best wishes, Peter Bullen (veteran).

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A Report from Dr Becky Alexis-Martin

The UN Nuclear Ban Treaty: A Historic Moment for Nuclear Test Veterans This year has been challenging for all of us, but I know that it has been particularly hard for the nuclear test veterans and their families. Lockdowns, shielding, and event cancellation due to COVID have changed everyone’s lives. For me, it has felt like a smaller year because of these necessary changes. I missed seeing everyone at the AGM and the All Tests Reunion, and I look forward to when we can all get back to normal.

However, something remarkable has also happened this year. The United Nations 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (the Nuclear Ban Treaty) received its 50th ratification on the 24th October 2020. This means that enough ratifications have now been achieved for the treaty to come into force. It means that at least fifty countries across our world care enough about the legacy of nuclear weapon harms to ban them outright. The treaty will enter into force on 22nd January 2021. This is a historic moment for nuclear test communities worldwide – as the challenges of nuclear weapon testing are legally recognised by the international community. It will permanently change our global attitude toward nuclear warfare.

It may also offer new routes towards support for people affected by nuclear weapons everywhere.

The five nuclear weapon possessor states, China, France, US, Russia, and the UK, have not yet formally reacted to the treaty – although the US was previously urging countries that had already ratified the Nuclear Ban Treaty to renege upon their pledges toward peace. This is because the treaty has important implications for countries that have caused harm to people with nuclear weapons.

So which parts of the treaty are most relevant to you as a member of the nuclear test veteran community?

I have gone through this document, selected the most important aspects – and clarified their significance to you.

Within the main body of the Nuclear Ban Treaty (page 1, paragraph 6), it states that all treaty members must be: “Mindful of the unacceptable suffering of and harm caused to the victims of the use of nuclear weapons (hibakusha), as well as of those affected by the testing of nuclear weapons” (UN, 2017).

So what does this mean for you?

If you are a person who has been affected by nuclear weapon tests then your country must be aware of the suffering and harm that has been caused to you. Rather than calling for action, this section calls for recognition of the challenges that you have faced.

However, Article 6 (page 6, paragraph 3) calls for victim assistance and environmental remediation. This article states that: “1. Each State Party shall, with respect to individuals under its jurisdiction who are affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons, in accordance

with applicable international humanitarian and human rights law, adequately provide age - and gender-sensitive assistance, without discrimination, including medical care, rehabilitation and psychological support, as well as provide for their social and economic inclusion.”

This means that social, economic, medical and mental health support should be provided to those who have been affected by nuclear weapon testing. This need is now recognised and upheld by this international treaty. While the UK has not signed or ratified, I hope that the Nuclear Ban Treaty coming into force will put considerable international pressure on the UK to provide this support.

This treaty shows that the world cares about nuclear test veterans.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions or queries, or if there is anything that I can help with – as I provide free expert academic support for veteran families in my spare time.

NB: The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is available for anyone to download for free from the United Nations archive: http://undocs.org/A/CONF.229/2017/8

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Puzzle Page All the answers are in the BNTVA memorial list...

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Ways to pay your annual BNTVA membership subscription Set out below are the methods you can use to pay your membership subscription, due 1st of April each year.

You can pay your BNTVA membership in the following ways:

Cheque Payment Make cheque payable to BNTVA, write your 4 digit membership number on the rear of the cheque and return to: BNTVA, The Smithy, Defynnog, Brecon, Powys LD3 8SB

Direct Debit - ask us for a form!

Email info@bntva.com or call 0208 144 3080

Direct Payment Direct payment to BNTVA reference ‘BNTVA Membership’ Sort code: 40-47-31 Account no: 94821238

Join the BNTVA To join the BNTVA, contact us for a membership application form which contains all the details on paying your membership, or phone 0208 144 3080.

Which membership type is for you?

UK Single Member Electronic

£20

UK Single Member Postal

£25

UK Family Electronic (partner & dependent children under 18 yrs)

£30

UK Family Postal (partner & dependent children under 18 yrs)

£35

Overseas Single Member Electronic

£20

Overseas Single Member Postal

£35

Overseas Family Electronic (partner & dependent children under 18 yrs)

£30

Overseas Family Postal (partner & dependent children under 18 yrs)

£45

IMPORTANT If you have been paying by Standing Order YOU MUST CANCEL with your bank. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STANDING ORDER. If you have been paying by PayPal please cancel your payment and use the online payment instead.

CWI Fund Making lives better

The Care Wellbeing and Inclusion Fund Making lives better The NCCF want to reach out to the British Nuclear Community to let them and their carers know, that we are here and ready to help with independent living adaptations, respite care and innovative measures to improve wellbeing.

Where a person is unable to fund the addressing of their suffering then assistance from the NCCF is wholly in line with our charitable purpose.

This concept has not changed since day one of the fund disbursements.

Wetrooms, Stairlifts, Mobility Scooters, Rise Recliner Chairs, Profiling Beds, Orthopaedic Mattress, Domestic Adaptations and Respite Care Breaks are just some of the types of thing we can provide to alleviate suffering.

All news and information relating to the Care, Wellbeing and Inclusion Fund can be found at our official news outlet: exposure.press

From the outset, the NCCF has been clear that unlike the majority of ex-service organisations it does not have a set level of wealth or income over which it stops providing assistance.

That is what we define as ‘means testing’.

The check we perform is one of ability to address suffering. When suffering is identified the measures to alleviate that suffering are costed, if the individual can easily fund the measures then they have the means to address their own problems, helping them would not be within our charitable purpose.

Make your application today: On-line: https://bhlink.at/CWIFund email: office@thenccf.org Telephone: 0115 8883442 Or write to: NCCF PO Box 8244 Castle Donington DE74 2BY

30

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2020

Contact us This is the only correspondence address and telephone number for the Association.

PLEASE NOTE! Our contact details have changed...

By Post

By Telephone

BNTVA

0208 144 3080

The Smithy Defynnog

Website

Brecon

www.bntva.com

Powys LD3 8SB

By Email info@bntva.com

Campaign magazine is published by the BNTVA Editors Wesley Perriman & Ceri McDade Next issue copy deadline 4th December 2020.

Please send material to info@bntva.com before this date. Thank you.

All contributions for the magazine should be sent to: Editor BNTVA The Smithy Defynnog Brecon Powys LD3 8SB or emailed to info@bntva.com

BNTVA is not an anti-nuclear or an anti-war association. All opinions,views and quotations do not represent official BNTVA policy and are the sole responsibility of the writer.

Photographs and images – © Copyright of owner acknowledged.

Campaign cannot guarantee total accuracy for any reproduction of letters / articles / transcripts. BNTVA is a Registered Charity Reg. No 1173575 supporting past and present UK Nuclear Test Combined Service Veterans and their families.

Thanks to our supporters