Issuu

j I

BNTVA

APRIL 1996

Magazine

CONCERN VOICED OVER THE N.R.P.B. REPORTS NRPB Reports and Findings 1989 and 1993 THESE reports and findings have been critiicised and pulled to pieces by experts from all over the world. See our Chairman’s report in this issue, everything he writes is correct. Just recently Mike Doyle sent me a copy of a report from the New Scientist for 8th December 1995 called ’Under Focus - Will It Get Any Worse?". Medical researchers thought they knew when diseases would strike after the Chernobyl disaster - they were wrong. It reports on a World Health organisation conference in Geneva in November last year. This is an extract: "However, a new study of ABomb survivors presented in Geneva provides the first serious evidence that radiation may help to trigger strokes, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver. “Direct correlation between radiation exposure and all three conditions are highlighted by researchers from the Joint USJapanese Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima..” Head of the Foundation, Kazunori Kodama. goes on to say: "We are now almost sure that non-Cancerous diseases have increased among Atom Bomb survivors, but we need further extensive studies to dis cover why." Mike reminded me of one of the meetings we had with the NRPB and the ICRF in 1990. Present were Sir Richard Doll, Dr Sarah Darby, Mark Mildred, Mike Doyle and myself. Mike suggested the NRPB and ICRF should write to each and every veteran individually. Dr Darby replied: uWe already know all the effects of radiation." Do they? Does anyone? Mike, Ken. Sheila and I are to meet Dr Sue Rabbitt Roth in the very near future. No doubt she will enlighten us even more. "Nil Desperandom,, ‘Do Not Despair* PETER FLETCHER

□ □ AL S more evidence demonf nfr strates the fall in sperm JL JLcounts over the last 40 years, scientists are asking why? One possible cause is exposure to environmental contaminants such as DDT. DDT's main metabolite is an environ mental oestrogen and it is environmental oestrogen’s that research has linked with the falling sperm count. Recently many Servicemen who attend ed the Gulf War have reported strange ill nesses. Rather than just one disease, they have reported many. The cause seems, also, to be multi faceted. This demonstrates that simple cause and effect links are not the answer. Servicemen who attended nuclear tests were exposed to many contaminants and not just radiation. For example, at Christmas Island, the

daily ‘Captain Flit’ flights have been widely reported by veterans. These flights were by Auster aircraft spraying DDT. This shows that the veterans who have low sperm counts or testicular cancer may have had their problem caused by them attending Christmas Island. Exposure to chemicals does not exclude radiation as a cause of some illnesses. Similarly an interaction between radia tion and chemical may cause other ill nesses. This applies particularly to those who have testicular cancer, low sperm counts or related problems. Though the evidence is less clear, there may also be cause for concern for veter ans whose children have experienced sex ual development and related problems. Those wanting to find out more please contact Ken Taylor.

Bill sends out a pay up plea First of all may I say on behalf of us all that our thoughts are with Tom Kitching at the sad loss of his dear wife. The other thing is thank you on behalf of my wife and myself to all the members who have asked about our health since the car smash. Well, we are both on the road to recovery and almost back to normal. Now, on behalf of the Association, may I say the subscriptions this year and that

of Associate members is a bit slow. In fact it is less than at the same time last year. However, I do wish to thank those who have already paid plus those who kindly gave donations. I have said before that we do need the support of members by paying their subscriptions for this money helps us to carry on. When we aks council’s for help it looks bad if our own

members cannot even pay £5 per year. So please think about what I have said. It costs well over £600 an issue to send just the magazine out and this has to be done four times a year. That is the only way we use the money which is the reason we must let you the members know what is going on in the Association. BILL KITTSEN - Treasurer

MYSTERBES AIRE SOLVED BY A EEW CEOUCE WOIRDS! BY BOBBIE BREWSTER

HE Health Records Act gives everyone the right to see medical records made after November 1991. We all knew that.

But did you know this. A Ministry of defence spokesman says "records before then were vetted on security grounds and medical grounds before release." So with those few words from the Ministry, it explains a whole host of mysterious things which have happened with our veterans medical records. In the last ten years after the Chernobyl Nuclear disaster, came the latest scientific evidence and with it comes a dawning realisation amongst scientists that they have much still to learn about the hazards of radiation on man. Facts: Thyroid cancers started to emerge four years after the Chernobyl accident and that is apparently much sooner than predicted by studies of Japan's A-Bomb survivors which started to show 10 years after the explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first cancer which Japanese ^^researchers noticed an increase in was leukemia which began to rise after about five years. They say there are no significant increases in the number of leukemia, but they do however expect more leukemia victims in the future (in Chernobyl). They say no-one is sure why the pat terns produced by the A-Bomb survivors and those at Chernobyl should be so dif ferent. They say it could be something to do with the differences in the nature of radiation to which people were exposed or differences in the susceptibilities of the exposed. Now we know something about that remark don't we! We know that our men V should have had their blood screened before they were involved with the tests. It was recommended to the Ministry to do just that, but it was turned down. It was ~ also recommended that their blood be screened when they came back.

But, the little deskbound tin gods declared it had to be turned down because when the men came back and had a blood test it might prove they had leukemia and legal actions could have been taken. By God, those little tin men have a lot to answer for... The between radiation and cataracts has been well established by studies of Japanese survivors. So why do our men get denied? Now wait a minute it goes on to say, several researchers from the former Soviet Union argue that radiation is

also causing increases in a range of non cancerous diseases. For example cataracts, cardiovascular disease, and hyperactive thyroid glands. The latest new study of A-Bomb survivors, which was recently presented in Geneva, provides the first serious evidence that radia tion may help trigger strokes, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver. They also reveal evidence that suggest links between radiation and hyperactive thy roids and non-malignant tumours in the stom ach and thyroid. But they say they need extensive studies to discover why.

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Chairmans report past year has been without any doubt the most frustrating one of our campaign. We now 1 have to rely on the European Court of Human Rights In Strasbourg to determine the claims we 1 have been making since we realised that our health had been affected after witnessing various types of highly dangerous Atomic and Hydrogen bomb tests in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was very unfortunate that the prime Minister totally disregarded the first class brief which we sent to him giving very strong evidence that servicemen were affected, also that a very high proportion of our off-spring had shown genetic effects. But In general I am also very disappointed at many MP’s who have lost interest and totally disregard ed our correspondence. Many veterans have contacted me since the news broke last November send ing their best regards to the three test cases and also agreeing that our only course was Strasbourg. The decisions are now available to the general public and there is nothing secret in its contents other than the child's name is referred to only by initials to protect her from adverse publicity prior to the hearing. In fact just before Christmas, a Norwegian television company came over to Scotland and brought with them a copy of the decisions. A copy of the press release was sent out with your Xmas issue of the magazine. However, if anyone requires a copy please write to me. Recent reports and studies commissioned by the Government over the last decade have come in for some criticism, with some justification. When these reports are studied they have been “cherry picked” and evade the real problems. In our own particular situation the Government, in response to Strasbourg, tried the ‘Old Soldier’ when they sent a copy of the NRPB report. Missing was page 57 where gross errors appear on Pages B Table 2-5 referring to non-existent tests at Christmas Island and exclude 1500 veterans, many with leukemia, while wrongly including 3500 others. Let me say quite clearly that the study was a farce, a stitch up, to save the Government from paying out pensions which are richly deserved. Only recently I received correspondence from Ray Whitehead of Canada who served on Christmas Island at the same time as myself. I had written to him in 1982 when I read his story in the ‘Sanity’ magazine about his experiences on Christmas Island. Welcome to the BNTVA Ray and Yvonne. If ever we have to stand united as one, this is the time. I am hoping this year we have a large turnout at Blackpool and we may also have lan Anderson over from New York, weather permitting.

Ken McGinley

Special offer

The Handy Cup Dispenser pictured on the right usual ly sells for £8.99p, but the BNTVA has come up with a special deal that not only sares our members money, but raises funds for the Association too.

U'wm• I . p

The manufacturers are offering the dispenser for sale at £5.99p, including postage and packing, to BNTVA members and for every one sold they will donate £2 to our funds. That's a great offer. So if you want to purchase one of these handy items, then send your order to:

s I

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Len Anderson, 71 Gloucester Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 2UQ. Please make all cheques payable to A D Baker.

115114 ■J

Remembering the dirtiest

nucg test ever

Natalie Blosse, 6, daughter of Andrew Blosse, poses with the piper and trumpeter at Portsmouth Old Cathedral.

EBRUARY 19th, 1952, saw the sailing out of Portsmouth of H.M.S. Zeebrugge and H.M.S. Narvik - two tank landing craft car rying Royal Engineers of the 71 Field Squadron, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Army Catering Corps, Royal Marines and Royal Navy personnel, stores and equipment. Destination, the Monte bello Islands off the North West coast of Australia in the Indian Ocean to carry out “Operation Hurricane”, Great Britain’s first Atomic Bomb Test, a bomb that proved to be the “dirtiest of all our tests”. Each year for the past seven years, we have held a Memorial Service at Portsmouth Old Cathedral on the Saturday nearest to February 19. This year it fell on 17th February and as usual preparations began as far back as October when I contacted the Provost of Portsmouth, the Very Reverend Michael Yorke. From there Dave Riley, Sid Hardwick and Mrs Matthews organised things in their usual unselfish manner. Alas, one of our usual organisers, Reg Smith, was absent due to illness and being hospitalised. We missed you Reg and we all wish you well. The Provost, Michael Yorke, honoured us by con ducting the service himself. Some sixty veterans, widows and families attended, many travelling from as far as Somerset, Lancashire, Merseyside and London. All in all it was a lovely day, albeit somewhat sad as we prayed and remembered our lost comrades. PETER FLETCHER

The Reverend Michael Yorke, Provost of Portsmouth, with BNTVA Vice-Chairman, Peter Fletcher.

John Agnew of Plymouth (ex-Maralinga) has sent us these items fro JillyCooper’s book ‘Animals at War’ and he points out that Plymouth ain library has a wonderful Naval History sectioiMMnn

SHOP ^4

THIS book is written by our Chaplain, Canon Nicholas Frayling, the Rector of Liverpool. His City is sometimes called the Dublin of Britain and has the largest Irish population in the country. Nicholas’s book examines Britain’s role in Ireland over the centuries and concludes that there will be no lasting peace until the pains of history arc faced, honestly and openly. Only by admitting faults can wrongs be righted. Does that sound a bit familiar to us? The book is due to be published on 25th April by SPCK and will cost £10.99p. Nicholas will be in the SPCK bookshop in Liverpool Cathedral (Anglican) to sign copies of the book on Saturday 27th April.

The highlights of Judy’s POW life were having nine puppies and finding an ele phant’s shinbone which took her two hours to bury. Smuggled back to England in a troopship, Judy cncrged from quarantine in a blaze of glory. She was awarded the Dickin McdaL the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross^

TUDY, a young mongrel bitch, was the J mascot of several Royal Naval ships serving in the Pacific, and she was captured by the Japanese in 1942 and interned in a prison camp at Medan. Here she met Leading Aircraftman Frank Williams, who shared his srruill helping of rice with her and won her love and loyally for life. Judy raised morale on the POW camp giving the alarm when crocodiles, poisonous snakes and even tigers approached. Falling foul of the camp commandant, she was smuggled out in a rice sack when pris oners were shipped back to Singapore. For three hours she lay upside down in the sack in the blazing sun, never whimpering, mov ing or betraying her presence to the Japanese guards. Next day the ship was torpedoed and Judy was separated from her master. Three days later, on the way to another prison camp, they met again and their reunion was described by an officer as joyous and touching. Finally they ended up at a camp with the same Japanese commandant they had out witted at Medan, who condemned Judy to death and ordered the prisoners to eat her its punishment. Judy went into hitting.

TT^v AISY was the mascot mongrel of a \~J Norwegian trawler which was torpe doed by the enemy. Those of the crew that were not killed outright were thrown into an icy sea. Daisy went with them and through the dark chill hours of the night, swam from one man to another, licking their faces as though seeking to encourage and comfort them. When they were at last picked up and landed in England, all the crew were united in their praise of Daisy, who they said had put new hope into them. As a result of her unselfish heroism, Daisy was awarded a medal by the RSPCA.

□ SPECIAL NOTICE □ A.G.M. NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

HOW TO FIND US

(o*oi rm UTUM Q

Notice is hereby given that the Annual o RECOMMENDED ROUTE General Meeting of the British Leave the M6 at Junction 32, g take the M55 to Blackpool, Nuclear Tests Veterans Association 5 continue dong the dual carriageway, 2 (1992) will be held on follow Tourist Signs for Blackpool__

Saturday 27th April 1996.

The venue will be The Paradise Room, Pleasure Beach, South Shore, Blackpool, and admission to the said meeting is by current membership card only. The meeting will com mence at 1.30pm prompt.

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Nominations for election to the above positions must be in the hands of the Association Secretary 14 days prior to the A.G.M. Proposals must be in the hands of the Association Secretary 14 days prior to the A.G.M. A

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Proposer and Seconder is required with each nomination and each proposal. Address for nominations and proposals: Mrs S Gray. Secretary. B.N.T,VJl.n992V 11 Grosmont Drive. Billinaham. Cleveland TS23 2EP Signed for and on behalf of the Association by Sheila Gray, Secretary, dated 29th February 1996.

Branch news... i MERSEYSIDE ' “r ivicnocioiuc BRANCH DnMRWi.^. ■.:

DECEMBER 1995 and January 1996 proved to be a sad period for the branch with the death on Christmas Eve of John Davies, our first Branch Secretary. John served in the Royal Engineers as a regular soldier at Monte Bello 1952 “Operation Hurricane". He was a very supportive branch member who was always on hand to help us in whatever needed to be obtained or done. Both my wife Evelyn and myself will miss him as over the past few years we became veiy close friends. In early January, staunch branch member and our Standard Bearer, Harry Hoult, passed away. Hany, although a Scouser through and through, served in the R.A.N. on H.M.S. Sydney and also at Monte Bello in 1952. He paraded with our North West standard in many parts of the country on BNTVA parades and the parades 'of other associations. On our travels together we found we both had. to put it mildly, an odd sense of humour. We are proud to have known John and Harry and to have had their friendship. As the old adage goes: - To be bom a gentleman is a privi lege. To die a gentleman is an honour. To Nonna and to Madge and their families we at the branch extend our deepest sympathies. As with all our members who have passed on, “we will remember them". Our branch meeting in January was a change from usual procedure in that we had no agenda. As a result we covered a lot more subjects than usual and all those present became much more involved. Perhaps this will be the format for future meetings. Would members please note change of date for our April branch meeting. As April 7 is Easter Sunday, the meet ing will now be held on Sunday 14th April at the usual venue, Croxteth and Gilmoss RBL. The Association AGM is at Blackpool on April 27. Donations for raffle prizes would be appreciated. Chris Rowlands

LONDON BRANCH

ONCE again January saw the file openings at the Public Record Office (PRO) in London. This year, however, for the first time, no Hies were opened relating to British Atmospheric Tests. The only files relating to nuclear tests were those for the Charcoal Test of 1965. This test was conducted in Nevada, USA. on September 10th, 1965, and was designed to improve the Polaris warhead and followed a failed test in 1964, due to an American non-nuclear component. The other interesting feature of this test was that it was the first test of the Wilson Government and caused much discussion within the Labour Cabinet. The end of January did see further releases of AWRE files and there are now over 1000 of these listed files at the PRO. The problem is that over 800 are still retained. Many of the files relating to the Australian tests had extracts pre sented as evidence to the Royal Australian Commission in 1985 and so will probably not add anything new to

existing knowledge. We will review them to make sure. The files did. however, include the Grapple files. These are totally new and if any member worked for AWRE we may have records relating to their work. We will keep you informed of any developments. Our next meeting is at 1pm on Sunday 30th March, 1996, at the Royal Engineers Museum. Brompton Barracks, Chatham. Kent. If you need any help getting to the meeting please con tact me. We also have our AGM at Blackpool on 27th April at The Paradise Room. Pleasure Beach. Again, if anyone needs assistance in getting there, could they please contact me. We look forward to seeing you. Ken Taylor

SOUTH WALES BRANCH * IT has been very quiet since I last wrote in the magazine. As you will know from the last issue, we have even got the European Court backing us. It makes you wonder what it will take to get this Government to believe us. We have a new member in the South Wales branch, Keith Wallington from Carmarthen. Welcome to the branch Keith. Due to work commitments, I seem to have less time to myself than before so if anyone who has more time on their hands fancies the job of South Wales representa tive. please let me know. Also, if any of you want to write something for the magazine, send it to Peter Fletcher. Peter Williams

NORTH EAST BRANCH EVERYTHING appears to be progressing very well, by all reports, for the three test cases in the Human Flights courts. Now that the last stage has been reached and a decision will be made soon, let us hope that at last jus tice will prevail. There is now a campaign being carried out by a Liberal MP, who has introduced a bill in Parliament to abolish the fact that war pensions are taken into account when council’s work out council taxes and rents. The effect of this is that many war pensioners are left with virtually little or nothing of their pensions after these council’s have grabbed hold of it and, after all. this is a form of compensation and should surely be left alone. As an exServicemens association I would like to request that all our members support Mr Simon Hughes’ Bill to abolish this heartless act. For the cost of a postage stamp you could write to your MP asking them to sign Mr Hughes’ Bill. Just write your MP’s name. House of Commons, London SW1A OAA, or write to Lord Mackay at the DSS complaining against it. A survey was recently carried out by the Government and this was due to reports that many children were being bom around the British coastline with malformed hands. In our association myself and Mike Doyle know a few cases like this and would ask if this has occurred in your children or grandchildren regardless of whether you live near the coast or not. Would you please let me or

Branch News...2 Mike know, it would of course be confidential. We are interested in knowing the numbers only so we can work out the percentage. Anyone serving on HMS Messina, Christmas Island, and knew Kenneth ‘Geordie’ Maddison. His daughter is try ing to contact you. Her address is: Mrs S Hunter, 64 Parry Drive, Whitburn, Sunderland. Any North East members due to pay subscriptions please send them to Bill Kittson, Treasurer, because it does save me having to redirect it. See you all at the AGM. Mike Reid

WEST YORKS BRANCH

v iJ.

I would like to thank all the members who attended the branch meeting on 27th November, which was my first as the newly elected Branch representative, and would like to appeal to all Branch members who are able to. to try and attend future meetings which, hopefully, will be held every eight weeks. Thanks too for Bill and Annette Kittson for all the effort and work they’ve put in keeping the branch going. In an effort to boost funds with a view to laying a Memorial Stone, I’m going to do a bit of'Car Booting’. If any members have any unwanted items to donate, please contact me or bring them to meetings. Hoping to see as many of you as possible at the AGM in April. George Robertson

MILTON KEYNES BRANCH

. • • rc. -jr

IN January I was invited by Mrs Chris Cook to attend a meeting of the Pacific Island Society. Mrs Cook is the widow of Mr Dudley Cook, District Officer on Christmas Island in the 1960’s. He died last year of cancer. The meeting was held at the Royal Oversea Legation in London and the guest speaker was the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hanley MP, Minister for the Foreign and Commonwealth office. The subject was: Aid and Development of the Pacific, he spoke at great length on what the British Government and the EEC intend to do out in the Pacific. Questions were invited from the floor. Mrs Cook asked the Minister what was the British Government’s position in the matter of the nuclear tests being carried out by the French in view of the reaction of the people of the Pacific. His reply was that it was a mat ter for the French Government and that he thought all necessary precautions would be taken. Later that evening I was informed that it had just been discovered that radiation was leaking from one of the test sites. By the way. I did attempt to ask a question, but was ignored. It was very much Tes Minister’. Was it because they knew I was a Christmas Island vet? As far as the branch goes, it certainly was good news with the European Commission for Human Rights. At last the door is opening. Let’s push it wide open and step through. Thanks to all concerned and their hard work. Pat Hurley

PORTSMOUTH BRANCH NINETEEN ninety five was a joyful and sad year for our branch. With all the celebrations going on, I took the Southern Area Standard to a parade at Hythe with Sid Hardwick as escort. We would like to thank John and Bobbie Brewster, also the people of Hythe for their hospi tality. Then, still on a joyous note, Sid and myself took the Standard to Canada and what a reception we received. Out there we met up with or own National Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Ken and Peter. I have been asked by the local committee to thank Peter Fletcher, the staff of Portsmouth Cathedral, the Provost, Mrs Matthews and all who helped to make the Memorial Service a success. It is with great sadness that I have to report the loss of two local veterans, Colin Barraclough and John Woodman. Our thoughts are with both Joyce and Pat on their sad loss. The Portsmouth branch still holds monthly meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at the Hampshire exServicemens Club, Fratton Road, Portsmouth. Dave Riley

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IT looks as though we may be involved in a race against time. I have received the following letter from the NRPB which speaks for itself. Draw your own conclusions and shout at your MP. Dear Mr Doyle STUDY OF NUCLEAR TEST PARTICIPANTS Thank you for your Idler concerning the above study. The information held on file in any magnetic media is subject to the strict requirements of the Data Protection Act. The Act requires NRPB to keep the data accurate and, where necessary, up to dale and slates that data held for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or purposes. As the database was being maintained since the second study without ; formal authorisation from the MOD, who had not made a commitment for a further study, NRPB sought both approval to retain and funding to maintain the database. MOD is not prepared to fund NRPB to keep the database live and up to dale. MOD has also repeatedly made clear that they have no plans to commission a further study. In making these decisions MOD wish all the data to be retained so that in the unlikely event that a third study is deemed necessary, it could be remounted on computer, albeit with some start-up expense. The death certificates are being held by NRPB and have not been processed since 1 April 1995. So the situation is that unless NRPB receives a commitment to fund the active database it will be downloaded into a paper format. The consequences will be that individual personal queries to NRPB could not be answered without considerable cost. Additionally, BN'TVA will wish to note that once downloaded, NRPB no longer has a legal responsibility to provide personal information under the requirements of the Data Protection Act. The current situation is that we are seeking funding from the Department of Health to maintain the database so that we can provide personal information to individuals in a cost effective and efficient manner. Dr J R Harrison Assistant Director (Medical)

NOTDCE

Bob Aslett of Exmouth. Devon, writes to sav: □THE thanks of many of us who are members of the Association and living in the South and East Devon area, must go to Brit Merritt of Exmouth who, although he is a comparatively new member, has taken it upon himself to organise social meetings for members in the area. The first of these took place at the White Ensign Club in Exeter on November 23 and the second was on January 29. Another is scheduled for 1st April to which any and all local members are warmly invited. The venue, again, will be the White Ensign club in South Street, and it starts at 7.30pm. Anyone interested and who has not had an invitation through the post, may get further details either from Brit on 01395-269272 or from me on 01395-264940. Initially, invitations were sent to some twenty members living in the Exeter, Sidmouth, Exmouth and Torquay areas and at the first meeting there were eighteen memjbers and wives. The second meeting, unfortunately, did not have such a good turnout, but the weather was not conducive to dri ving that evening. The names and addresses of local members were very kindly supplied by local representa tive, Noel Hendy, after we explained why we wanted them. As at the last meeting, members attending will be asked to donate £1 towards the cost of a small buffet which the club lays on for us. Therefore it would be helpful if any one intending to join us in April would let us know so that we can give the club an idea of the numbers attend ing. Once again, many thanks Brit from all of us. ■ DID you serve on H.M.S. Messina at Christmas Island? If you did, do you remember Ken Maddison, who was nick named "Nix" or "Nixi”? Well, his daughter Mrs Sandra Hunter would like to hear from you and she has sent in a photograph with the names of

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ABOVE: The picture submitted by Sandra Hunter, who is trying to find anyone who served with her father on Christmas island. the following men in it - Mulligan, Manson, Lithgoe, Taylor, Appleyard, Davies and Millington. Are you one of these famil iar faces? If you can help then contact Sandra at 64 Parry Drive, Whitburn, Sunderland SR6 7BE. JRAF Pearce Field, Monte Bello 1956, Buffalo Maralinga 1956. Did you serve at these stations? Did you know Joe Northey (Equipment Section)? If so his widow, Mrs Joyce Northey, would like you to contact her. She is at 59 Carter Lane, Mansfield, Notts NG18 3DQ. □A request from BNTVA Secretary. Sheila Gray WERE you at the Brigadoon Tests in 1962-63? If so would you please send me your name, which service you were with and a short history of any illnesses you and your children may have suffered. ■ EX-Flight Lt, Patrick Hannam, RAF, would like to contact fellow aircrew and groundcrew who served in 76 Squadron at Edinburgh Field and at Christmas Island for Grapple Zulu. Please write to him c/o Peter Fletcher, who will for ward your letters to Patrick. □NEW member Bryan T Young of 31 Pheonix Road, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8SY (Tel: 01634686935) would like to hear from anyone who served with him on Operation Grapple Y and Z in the RAF Active Handling flight. ■ ANYONE who served on Christmas Island 1962-63 in Operation Brigadoon (USA Tests) could assist in a High Court claim against the Ministry of defence. Please contact Ken Byatt, 5 Arbour Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 2HF. Telephone 01782-261950.

Branch news...3 I am extremely concerned by this latest proposal. Such records as do exist will be, in reality, lost forever, impos sible to access for any serious research and barred to individual test veterans. In view of the discrepancies we have discovered, this might be more than convenient. Our average age is around 60. I do not detect much deep concern or inter est amongst the wider general public and I really do fore see and fear that unless we are all extremely vigilant, the question of health effects on Nuclear Test participants will before long be reduced to a single line in selective history books. And Gulf war Syndrome will go the same way! Tough, but that’s life. Mike Doyle

SOUTH CHESHIRE BRANCH

• •>

THE dominant talking point at our last meeting was of course the news about our progress in Europe. We hope and pray our years of fighting and campaigning reach a just outcome. The sale of car stickers has been veiy promising and they will be available at the Blackpool AGM. I would like to thank all our Branch members for their support and to say it has been veiy worthwhile starting our own branch. Special thanks to babs Maden and Graham Tanos for their efforts since the branch was founded. A wreath was laid at the Crewe Cenotaph on behalf of the BNTVA on Remembrance Sunday. Look forward to seeing you all in Blackpool. John Cole

SUSSEX & BORDERS BRANCH IT is intended to hold the inaugural meeting of our new branch in the Lancing area about May time, carefully avoiding conflict with the two Bank holiday arrange ments and the FA Cup attractions. Also at this time, the

National AGM will have taken place with an opportunity for the Sussex membership to discuss major news updates being provided at Blackpool in the preceding month. I am personally heartened by the European Commission of Human Rights review being undertaken in Strasbourg and feel it gives us all greater hope for the future. My best wishes to all the branch membership and look forward to seeing you sometime soon at our BNTVA events. Always pleased to receive your telephone calls on branch news and enquiries on 01403-732218. Andrew Blosse

CANADIAN BRANCH At this time I have no information, but to say that it is sad to hear new requests for membership come from vet erans who have health problems. Many nuclear veterans are out there I know because being the representative in Canada I listen to veterans with these problems and look for ways of getting it over to the British Government that these health problems came about because of over-exposure to radiation. The British Government is guilty of murder every year that goes by when veterans pass away. They know that doctors today are reluctant to say that our experience was the cause and my own doctor says it would be hard to prove. The British Government knew this back in the 50’s60’s and the Executive is doing a fine job in overcoming these barriers. Keep it up for it encourages the represenatives to keep talking to veterans out there who are com ing out of the forest to see if help is available. I would like to thank Ron Summers for his ongoing help in making life worthwhile for my friend ‘Buster’. Ken Leyland.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR U.S. ATTORNEY ON November 28,1995, the European Commission of Human Rights at Strasbourg published two decisions in which it declared that the applications of two veterans and the first born child of a veteran were admissible. In doing so the Commission rejected the legal argument of the Government that the Commission could not hear the application since the events complained of (the UK’s nuclear tests on Christmas Island in the late 50’s) occurred before the UK recognised the jurisdiction of the Commission. All 29 Commissioners who considered the appli cation were unanimous in their decisions which were the result of two years of complex legal argu ments. The decisions now open the way for a hear ing of the applicants’ complaints of violations by the UK of the European Convention on Human Rights as a result of its Christmas Island tests.

The decisions are of such importance that the Commission has ordered their publication in its official reports which are available throughout the world. In terms of Rule 53 of the Commission’s Rules, once the Commission declares an application to be admissible, as in the present case, It will deter mine a hearing date and is required to look into the possibility of a settlement between the parties. As the three applications are representative of all veterans and their children who suffered harm as a result of the UK’s Nuclear tests Programme, any settlement will have to take into consideration the suffering, loss and needs of all such persons. Once the Commission has heard evidence and any further legal argument, it will prepare a report indicating whether or not it has found that viola tion of the European Convention on Human Rights to have occurred.

If there has been no settlement, the Commission, if it finds that violations of the Convention have occurred, may submit its report to the European Court of Human Rights for linal determination and the Issue of an order against the UK. In the majority of cases the Court will follow the recommendations contained in the Commission’s report. The above offers a ray of hope to the many veter ans and their families who have suffered as a result of the UK's Weapons Tests Programme car ried out in Australia and the Pacific in the 50’s and 60’s. Hopefully this sad chapter in Britain’s history may be finally drawing to a close. As at the date of writing, word is still awaited from Strasbourg on a hearing date.

IAN ANDERSON OUR ATTORNEY IN NEW YORK

Vice-Chairmans report Y written contribution to this issue of our magazine you will find is not so much a report, but more of snippets of news, requests for contacts, opinions and views etc. Our Chairman’s report is rather brief as Ken will give a full verbatim report at the annual general meeting. He retires as a local Government Councillor at the end of March and is currently extremely busy winding things down in that department as well as doing his own work and our business. Having said that, our AGM, 1996, will, without any doubt, be the most important one in our history and I urgently ask you one and all to endeavour to attend. It will be our 10th AGM to be held in Blackpool and our ninth consecutive one there. We enter our 14th year of campaigning for truth and justice and I feel there is a silver lining coming through those clouds of lies and deceit. We have members coming from Australia, Canada, Malta, South Africa and the United States of America and it will be good to meet and welcome them. The venue for our meeting and social evening will be in the Paradise Suite at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, South Shore. Meeting - 1.30pm - 5.30pm. Social - 8.00pm 12.30am. Please note that you are welcome to bring relatives and friends along to the social evening. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Blackpool Tourist Board Council, who have yet again financed the cost of hir ing the venue for us. Thanks also to Mrs Margaret Roffey at the Tourist Board Office, not forgetting Miss Karis Bailey and her staff at the Pleasure Beach. Sunday 28th April - 11am. Church Parade and March (all denominations) at the Salvation Army Citadel, Raikes Parade. Please don’t rush off home after your Sunday morning breakfast. Come to the Service then march into town (approximately half a mile) with the S.A. Band. Should you require a wheelchair to take part in the march then please let me know as soon as possible to enable our Sid Harris in Blackpool to organise loaning the chairs for our service. Copies of the agenda for the AGM will be available at the door on your arrival. AUSTRALIA: I am constantly in touch with our Aussie counterparts through Bill Plewright in Western Australia, Terry Toon in Queensland and their solicitors in New South Wales. Bill is slowly recovering from the heart attack he suf fered late last year, but has handed over the reins of his Presidency to Max Kimber. However, he is still some what active and still assist Max and their members. You can’t keep a good Nuke vet down! December 1995 saw Maralinga veteran Pedro Cubillo in the Australian Supreme Court claiming his Government had been negligent and had breached its duty to protect him from exposure to ionising radiation. He contracted renal cell carcimona (kidney cancer) in 1982. Following a long court hearing, presiding Mr Justice Foster, rejected his claim. It is understood that Pedro can appeal and his lawyers urgently seek to contact some British Royal Engineers under the command of Captain Dennis Palmer and Sgt. Jimmy James. There were six Australian soldiers sec onded to Captain Palmer to serve the the Forward Area at Maralinga in 1957. Did you serve there under Captain Palmer? Can you help? If so, please contact me urgently. The Australian Veterans, like us. say our Government’s just do not want to know or recognise him. They point out that their Prime Minister, Mr Paul Keating, was very quick to criticise and condemn the French over their recent testing and expressing what damage and illnesses they would cause in Australia, but it seems our atmospheric tests in the 1950's could not and did not harm their servicemen. We are all aware that ionising

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■ NUMBER 58 Squadron RAF, Christmas Island, "Grapple” 1958. The Number 58 Squadron served out there as 100 Squadron. Dave Forbes says he was involved in an incident when one of the 58 Squadron aircraft was found to be highly contaminated following a test. The War Office claims they have no record of any such incident and Dave has got to prove that it occurred. Can you help? If so, please write to him at 31 Row Brow, Dearham, Nr. Maryport, Cumbria CA15 7JR, or you can tele phone him at 01900-816721. JCALLING all BNTVA members in the Poole, Dorset, area. Ron Summers (ex-Royal Engineers Christmas island 1958) of 9 Billingbank Drive, Leeds, Yorkshire LS13 4RY (Tel: 0113-2571112) ABOVE: Tom Kitching (Humberside) replies to the welcoming speech of Cllr John would like to hear from you with a Blake, the Lord Mayor of Hull, at the reception in the Guildhall, Hull, following the view to asking you to visit his old dedication of the Humberside Standard in July last year. army mate Brian ‘Buster’ Cork in BELOW: Harry Robinson’s ex-pals who were at Maralinga when the atomic weapons Sandringham Nursing Home, tests took place in 1958. Sandringham Road, Parkstone, Poole. The phone number there is 01202-74409. ‘Buster’has lost both legs and would welcome the odd visit and chinwag. Come on lads, see what you can do. ■ THE photograph on the right was sent in by Harry Robinson and it is part of the ex-pals Sappers Royal Engineers task force prior to boarding RAF Hastings aircraft for the first leg of the journey back to the UK on December 12, 1958, from Maralinga Airfield. All those in the photograph arrived at Maralinga Atomic Weapons test range in the South Australian outback on March 13, 1958. They were to carry out duties in the forward areas coming into contact with Radiation dangers during clean up and minor experiments. Harry remembers thinking early on after demob in 1959 that having not been party to the main bomb tests and not being witness to these tests and explosions, they had been spared the radiation exposure. structing the camp after all sections of the tin and metal had "Now I know that wasn’t true. When I think back to the many gone through the decontamination process, operations myself and my pals were ordered to participate in “Do any of my ex-pals or serving personnel remember the and the exposure to radiation we encountered,” said Harry. rescue in the outback in that year of 1958? Two Sappers "This was only part of my tasks. I was a time served brick were rescued after getting themselves bogged down in a Salt layer so part of my duties fitted in with my trade. Some mem Lake in their Land Rover. The three were Sapper Robinson, bers will remember these tasks, like the camp we started to Sapper Mays and CpI.Stevenson RE.” construct away from Maralinga Village. If any members recall any of these days and would like to "As I remember, a previous camp had been contaminated by drop Harry a line, his address is: 36 Kentmere Drive, fallout from the bomb because the wind changed direction leaving the camp unhabitable. We now had the task of reconBlackburn BB2 5HF.

British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (1992) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Ken McGinlcy 12 Walpole Place Johnston Renfrewshire PA5 ORE Tel: 01505*704936 VICE-CHAIRMAN: Peter Fletcher “Monte Bello” 134 Clipslcy Lane Haydock St.Helens WA11 0UB Tel: 01744-29636 SECRETARY: Sheila Gray (Mrs) 11 Grosmont Drive Billingham Cleveland TS23 2EP Tel: 01642-559903

TREASURER: Bill Kittscn 28 Wcstover Green Brainley, Leeds LS13 3SO Tel: 0113-2361123

Mike Reid 70 Rochdale Road Redhousc Estate Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 0191-549-7620

SOLICITOR: Mark Mildred 67 Sisters Avenue London SW11 5SW TEL: 0171-228-1321

Mike Doyle 14 Exeter Gardens Stamford, Lines PE9 2RN Tel: 01780*65622

M EM BERSH1P SECR ETA R V Chris Rowlands 14 Mtmksdown Road Liverpool LI 1 1HH 0151-2566688 Bobbie Brewster (Mrs) 61 Cedar Road, Hythc Southampton S04 6PS Tel: 01703-844489

Ken Taylor 56 Eastbourne Road Stratford, London E15 Tel: 0181-555-2644 CHAPLAIN: Rev.Nichotas Frayling Rector of Liverpool Liverpool Parish Church Old Church Yard, Liverpool

BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES Mike Reid (N E England) 70 Rochdale Road, Redhousc Estate, Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 0191-549-7620

Peter and Gron Williams (South Wales), 27 Heol Mvrddin, Ffairfach, Llandeilo SA19 6PD Tel: 01558-822141

Pat Hurley (Milton Keynes) 24 Caxlon Road, Old Wolvcrton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK12 50PG TEL: 01908-313024

John Lowe (Manchester) 45 Sheldrake Road, Broadheath, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5LJ TEL: 0161-941-2164

Dave Riley (Portsmouth) 190 Lock sway Road, Milton, Portsmouth P()4 8LE Tel: 01705-735669

A M Loudon (Scotland) 18 McLelland Drive, Kilmarnock, Scotland KA1 1SE Tel: 01563-43731

Peter Bullen (North and Mid Wales) Penlan Mill Cottage, Llandegai, Bangor, Gwynnd LLS7 4LG Tel: 01248-352708 Tom Kitching (Humberside) 5 Ellerby Grove, Preston Road, Hull HU9 3PR Tel: 01482-793082 Chris Rowland (Liverpool) 14 Monksdown Road Liverpool Lll 1HH Tel: 0151-2566688 Archie Ross (West Mids) 230 Burton Road, Woodville, Nr Burton-on-Trent Staffs DEI 1 7JR Tel: 01283-222113 Noel Hcndy (Devon & Cornwall) 2 Bowdens Row West End, Redruth Cornwall TR15 2TS Tel: 01209-214814

Ken fay lor (London) 56 Eastbourne Road Stratford, London E15 Tel: 0181-555-2644 Bernard Canovan (Lancashire) 18 Bog Heights Road, Darwin, Lancs BB3 0AW Tel: 01254-771499 John Cole (Sth Cheshire/North Staffs) 5 Byron Close, Crewe, Cheshire CWl 1JT Tel: 01270-589980 Derek Heaps (East Midlands) 4 Bakewell Drive, Castle Donnington Derby DE7 2NF Tel: 01332-811429 Paul Rowles (Kent) 4 Huntsmans Close, Rochester, Kent MEl 2RD Tel: 01634-828827 Ken Leyland (Canada) 8840 Douglas Street, Box 2121, Port Hardy, BC Canada, Von-2PO

Jim Crossan (Australia) 86 Waygara Avenue, Green Valley New South Wales 2168, Australia Andrew Blosse (Sussex) 136 Timber Mill South water, Horsham West Sussex RH13 7SR Tel: 01403-732218 George Robertson (West Yorks) 64 Deighton Lane Healy, Batlcy, Wakefield, West Yorks WF17 7EU Tel: 01942-478301

radiation causes cancers and other illnesses. The million dollar question is: “How do we prove it?” The majori ty of the world’s countries condemned the recent French testing (now hopefully stopped we trust) and begged them to desist. Not so the United Kingdom or the United States. I wonder why? Could it be that by publically voicing disapproval they would be admitting guilt for our tests in yesteryears? Who knows, we may even have helped finance the French tests in return for information.

NEW ZEALAND: DR Graham Gulbransen worked hard for years doing research and a study of R.N.Z.N. Personnel who served at Christmas Island on R.N.Z.N. ships. Graham wrote to me to say he had to retire from this field, but was hand ing over his findings to Mr Roy Sefton. Roy and his friend, Mr Tere Tahi, have now formed the New Zealand Tests Veterans Association. Our Chairman, Secretary and myself are now in close contact with Roy and tere and assure of our help and co-operation. FIJI: I regret to report that we have made little or no progress on behalf of these men or their widows. Distance and lack of close contact is the main bugbear. Oh to win a little of the lottery or pools to visit Fiji and meet these people face to face and talk to them, advise them. In 1994, Ken and I visited the Fijian Embassy in London and had an audience with the Ambassador. We were promised something would be done and left the embassy highly pleased with ourselves. Alas, to the best of our knowledge, nothing has been done. However, I do promise to continue pursuing the issue on their behalf.

EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS - STRASBOURG: OCTOBER, November, December 1995. Rumours were rife throughout our Association with talk of victory, big big money awards etc, etc, etc. How or where these stories started we do not know. I spoke to and wrote to our Attorney, Mr Ian Anderson in New York and asked him to please write a letter in laymans terms, explaining the situation thus enabling us to put it in the magazine for our members to read. Ian acted immediately and you can read his letter on Page 9. With luck, Ian will attend the AGM and will answer your questions first hand. On a purely personal note, I detest and abhor this talk of awards and compensation of £millions. World War One. World War Two. Korea. Palestine. Egypt. Falklands. Northern Ireland and other conflicts. Men were killed or wounded in action; maimed for life; wives left as widows; children as orphans; men taken prisoners of war and deprived of their freedom for years. Thousands of POW’s suffered atrocities at the our enemies at the time. Thousands died as a result of those inhumane cruelties. Did the cripple receive £millions? Did the wid ows receive ^millions. No! They received pensions. In 1994 Ken McGinley, Mike Reid and myself stood within the walls of the House of Commons and told MP’s: “All we seek is justice and pensions for all our sick and our widows." A few weeks later Ken, Mike Doyle, Mrs Mavis Gardner and myself addressed the House of Lords and MP’s in the Moses Room in the House of Lords and again we stressed: “All we seek is justice and pensions.” We had learned many MP’s and Peers would not give us their support and backing because they thought we were seeking massive lump sums of cash. Following those two visits to London we were promised full support by many who had ignored us. As they say in the courts of law: “I rest my case." AT HOME: THERE have been many programmes made for television by many countries relating to our experiences and our campaign. Just recently Ken has done two, one for Scottish television and one for Norwegian television. Ken is also featured campaigning for us on a David Frost report. These three programmes can be obtained on one three hour videotape available from our Treasurer, Bill Kittsen, priced £6.50p including post and packing. Arthur Inwood still has video tapes available of his and Pat Hurley’s return to Christmas Island. 1997 marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction of National Service. BBC Television (Bristol) plans a documentary covering National Service and in its introduction they would like to include N.E. men who served on the tests. If you were a National serviceman and served on any of our tests in the 1950’s and would like to take part, please write to me with brief details and your letters will be forwarded for consideration. BBC Television (London) also plans a documentary of the Australian tests at Emu Field and Maralinga. They are particularly interested with the Emu Field tests so if you served at Emu or Maralinga and would like to par ticipate let me know by sending brief details for transfer to London for selection. Both programmes will be screened in 1997. Come on you budding television stars!

MEMORIAL STONES North East England - Newcastle. Mike Reid and Bill Campbell are to attend a local council meeting re a suitable site for our Memorial Stone in Newcastle. Once this is established, Canon Nicholas Frayling will set about geting a date. We should have news of this in the very near future. Paisley, Liverpool, Risca, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Leicesyer. If you visit these areas, visit our stones and clean them down if they need it. The weather and the birds have no respect for them and they soon get dirty.. Finally, but not least, our thanks again to Peter Wylde of our Lottery and Ken Taylor. Thanks again also to J Walter Thompson who supply us with the magazines and to Don James.

PETER FLETCHER

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