april 1997

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MAGAZINE

I’M FINE FOR THE SHAPE I’M IN ’There's nothing the matter with me, I'm as healthy as one can he, I have arthritis in hath my faces, find when I talks I talki urith a wheeze. 'My pulse is weak, my hfooif is thin.'But I in awfully wellfor the shape I’m in. firch supports I have for my feet, Or / wouftfti’t he able to he on the street, Sheep is denied me night after night. •But every morning I find I'm alright. My memory is fading, my head’s in a spin, ‘But I in awfuffy wedfor the shape I in in. fThe moral of this, as the tafe I unfohd, ‘That for me and you who are growing old, It s better to say "I in fine" with a grin, fTl\an to fet folks know the shape we are in.

Show do I faoxv that my youth is ad spent, ‘Wed my "(Jet up and (jo" has got up and went! ‘But I ready don't mind, when I thinfavith a grin, Ofad the grand places my "(jet up" has been. Old age is gofden I've heard it said, ‘But sometimes I wonder

FANCY SEEING YOU HERE

as I get into hed, 'With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup, My eyes on the table, until I wake up. ’Before sheep comes over me I say to mysehf. Is there anything ehse I should hay on the shelf?

•When I was young my shippers were red,I couhdkjckjny beefs right over over my head, ’When Igrewohder my shippers were hhue, ’But stid I could dance the whiofc night through, Mow that I in old my ship­ pers are blacks I wahfao the shops and puff myselfhack:

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t was a reunion to end reunions. Three soldiers and three marines came face to face at our 45th Anniversary Service in Portsmouth in February.

And that was the first time they had seen each other since 1952 - an astonishing gap of 45 years since they were last side by side. They last met as members of the Advance Party leaving Portsmouth on 19th February, 1952.

And that’s where they met up again 45

years on in an emotional reunion that cer­ tainly brought back many, many memories.

Pictured outside the Cathedral are: BACK ROW: Mike Hoare (ex-Royal Marines, HMS Zeebrugge); Richard Collins (ex-Royal Engineers HMS Zeebrugge); Tom Wilson (ex-Royal Navy HMS Narvik).

FRONT ROW: Ken Gower (ex-Royal Marines HMS Narvik); Peter Fletcher (exRoyal Engineers HMS Zeebrugge) and Alf Ollis (ex-Royal Engineers HMS Narvik).

ON THE VERGE IF Application Nos 21825/93 and 23414/94 Kennth McGinley and E.E. v the United Kingdom Proposals of the Commission (Article 31 paragraph 3 of the Convention) The Commission has concluded that, in the present case, there has been a violation of Article 6 para 1 and and Article 8 of the Convention. It therefore proposes, pursuant to Article 31 paragraph 3 of the Convention, that just sat­ isfaction be afforded to the appli­ cants by the Government of the United Kingdom.

The Commission considers that, in the light of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights as to the application of Article 50 of the Convention, and the prac­ tice developed by the Committee of Ministers under Rule 9 para­ graph 2 of the Rules adopted by the Committee of Ministers for the

Rights on the three test cases brought by the BNTVA, were final­ ly made available by the Commission to the Association’s New York legal representative on January 27th, 1997. Due to the rules of the Commission, the British Government received its copies first, in early December 1996. and was given an opportu­ nity to review them before it became public.

As you may now be aware, the Commission found the UK liable for violating the Veterans rights to claim war pensions by denying them access to war records which would prove their claims.

The Commission considered this to be a violation of Article 6 (1) of the Human Rights Convention, which prohibits a Public Authority from interfering with rights relat­ ing to a person’s private life.

The Commission was highly crit­ ical of the Government’s action in violating the above rights. It found that the Veterans had established

application of Article 32 of the Convention, such satisfaction should consist of the payment of a sum of money to be fixed by the Committee of Ministers after the Government of the United Kingdom and the applicants have been consulted.

The sum should cover compen­ sation for material and non-mate­ rial damage, if any, as well as for legal costs incurred by the appli­ cants in the proceedings before the Commission. It is to be noted that the applicants had the bene­ fit of legal aid before the Commission.

The Commission is not, at this stage, in a position to make any proposals as to the precise amount to be paid. However, the Commission is prepared to pro­ vide the Committee of Ministers with any further assistance it may require.

IAN ANDERSON'S RESPONSE: THE long awaited reports of the European Commission of Human

□ SPECIAL NOTICE fl.G.M. Notice to Members Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (1992) will be held on

Saturday 2Bth flnril 1997 The venue will be The Paradise Room, Pleasurelands, South Shore, Blackpool, and admission to the said meeting is by current mem­ bership card only. The meeting begins at 1.30pm prompt.

ELECTION DF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Nominations for election to the above positions must be in the hands of the Association Secretaiy 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 Proposer and Seconder is required with each nomination and each proposal.

HOW TO FIND US

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IIONI) STREET

Recommended ronle Leave the M6 at Junction 32. take the M55 to Blackpool, continue along the dual carriageway, fol­ low Tourist signs for Blackpool Pleasure Beach and look for the Pepsi Max The Big One!, the tallest, fastest rollercoaster in the world.

BLACKPOOL PLEAJIURI BEACH

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[ ACM PARADISE SUITE ] Address for nominations and proposals:

Mrs S Gray, Secretary, B.N.T.V.A.(1992), 11 Grosmont Drive, Billingham, Cleveland TS23 2EP Signed for and on behalf of the Association by Sheila Gray, Secretary, dated 28th Februaiy 1997.

fl MT VICTORY ■UROPE SACKS US!

a reasonable basis for their “anxi­ ety and concern" that they had been the subject of radiation experimentation by the UK. It fur­ ther found that the Government’s contention that “dummies" (and not servicemen) were exposed to radiation was "unconvincing".

The Commission also accepted that the veterans had established substantial and detailed grounds for challenging the scientific valid­ ity of the 1988 and 1993 NRPB reports.

The Commission’s criticism of the Government was not limited to its violation of the veterans rights, but included its conduct before the Commission, which the Commission described as “lacking in candour".

The Commission, in a separate document, recommended that the UK make good its violations of the Convention by paying the veterans compensation for both “material” and “non-material” loss incurred as a result of its actions.

In its second report the Commission dealt with the case of a first born child of a veteran, which the BNTVA had also pre­ sented.

The Commission accepted that her 1970 medical records dis­ closed that her father’s exposure to radiation on Christmas Island was the possible cause of her childhood leukemia.

The Commission, however, was uncertain about the state of med-

ical knowledge at the time of her birth and has referred her case to the European Court of Human Rights for a final detremination of this issue.

As the UK has refused to honour the recommendations of the Commission to pay the veterans damages, the Commission has also referred the veterans’ cases to the European Court of Human Rights for a final order.

The Commission’s findings rep­ resent a very substantial victory for the BNTVA in its long struggle for justice. Its findings with regard to the above-mentioned violations of Articles 6(1) and 8 of the Convention, affect all veterans who took part in the UK tests: it is not limited to the UK veterans, but includes New Zealand and

Fijian veterans who also suffer from radiogenic illnesses or condi­ tions. Since the two cases pre­ sented by the BNTVA represent all of the Associations’ veteran mem­ bers, the European Court will be asked to order the UK to provide proper compensation to all affect­ ed veterans.

A great deal has already been achieved by the BNTVA’s actions in Strasbourg. More will be achieved by the continued strength and unity of the Association and its members.

Steadfast support is now required to win the day. Should any member be troubled by mis­ leading or anonymous telephone calls concerning their case in Strasbourg, the Chairman, ViceChairman or Secretary should be notified.

Please tell us about any deaths T

O ensure we are informed, as soon as possible of a death, please follow this procedure: Write or ring the Secretary - Sheila Gray, 11 Grosmont Drive, Billingham, Cleveland TS23 2EP Tel/Fax: 01642-559903. She will then contact the appropriate Representative and Committee

Member. Sadly there are many vet­ erans dying without us knowing or hearing too late. We want to be able to show our sympathy and where possible, attend the funeral.

It is also awkward asking for a copy of the death certificate but you will understand, we do need this for our records showing cause of

death. When someone dies, that does not mean he stops being a member of our Association.

We encourage the next of kin to take on the membership and so be the voice of the deceased.

We say, once a member, always a member so please help us to achieve this.

CHAIRMANS REPORT Over the past fourteen years, as we have received your medical forms, there has been one outstanding feature which I believe is of great concern. I have held long discussions with Peter, Sheila and Ian Anderson and other interested parties. Our conclusions are that many veterans have and still are, suffering some form of psychiatric conditions which could be linked to their witnessing a nuclear explosion. Some years ago,one of our members - Nobby Clarke - made a very emotional speech which brought tears to the eyes of many of us. He said he had been there and back, referring to his condition. It was brave and very moving and I believe made many veterans look more closely at themselves. It was back in 1984, at our first meeting in Newcastle, when Peter first mentioned to me that psychiatric conditions should be examined more closely as many wives and widows described their husbands as having a Jekyll and Hide personality. Many of you will also be aware that when we first applied for war pensions, we were sent to see a psy­ chiatrist! WHY? At our last AGM many will recall a member stated we were the serious side of the Association-and that he represented the fun-lov­ ing side. Let me confirm to everyone - we DO NOT HAVE A SEPARATE SIDE and I know there are many of you who will confirm this who were there at the time.

We do have our fun in the EVENING but of course you have to attend to discover this for yourself. I do not have any time for those people who come to our AGM purely to line their own pockets. We did not set up this Association for that purpose and our AGM is definitely not the venue for such tactics!

As many of you are aware, the War Pensions Agency sent a letter to Doug Hoyle MP, dated 16 Aug ‘94 and signed by Peter Mathison, Chief Executive, stating: ‘Following the findings of the 1993 NRPB report, the Secretary of State has decided his normal policy will be to reject any new claim for a War Pension, for multiple myeloma but to accept any new claim in respect of leukemia (or polycythemia rubra vera) if the test participants develop the condition within 25 years of first participation in the tests.’ It was later confirmed to me, by the WPA, that this letter should not have been sent out and that Mr Mathison was no longer with the Agency!

We questioned the letter; challenged the contents; produced letters both from Sir Richard Doll and the Dept of Veterans Affairs and the conclusions were similar to BSE - BLAME SOMEONE ELSE! It was worth our effort as it showed the decision by the Secretary of State had not been based on scientific or medical evidence but purely on political terms! Yes this is the serious side of our organisation and why we were founded! We are now in the driving seat and more hopeful of our future. All we sought was justice and were refused. Now, together, we can overturn that refusal but it is not a game with us - it is a very serious matter and not one that can be dealt with by ‘fun and games’. I do not think you would want it otherwise.

With regard to our lawyer, Ian Anderson. I must point out, he represents our Association and not individual members. I am as your Chairman, in constant touch with him and as you will read in his report, he represents us all so please let him get on with his job of gaining justice for everyone. There are procedures which are important within any organisation, members do not have direct access to our legal representative.

If there are any questions you wish to ask him, it would be prudent to WRITE to either myself as Chairman, Peter Fletcher, your Vice-Chairman or Sheila Gray, your National Secretary. There is still a great deal of work to do before the cases go to the Courts and I hope any person who has information, would forward it to me ASAP. Please do not phone, it is best we receive signed statements and that way it makes them official. The telephone is very unreliable for confidentiality, this being confirmed to me by a BT official.

Sadly we have lost many valued members recently and a special mention of ‘Big Arthur’ Inwood. He went back to Christmas Island and videoed the rubbish left behind by our Government. He tried desperately to have it cleaned up but, alas, he never fulfilled his dream. Our condolences also go to the family of Tommy Gordon, Gordon Lee and John Oughton. John served in the RN, but was transferred to the New Zealand Navy as the Weatherman. He died earlier this year from acute myeloid leukemia. His family received his rejection of a war pension the day before his funeral!

John Price was another member we sadly lost recently and we were all shocked to hear of his death. John and I went to America in 1984 on a six-week lecture tour giving our version of the effects on our members.

John left this country a wee bit ‘conservative’ and returned a converted man demanding an end to all nuclear testing’ John was a friend as well as a member. Yes we have come a long way and on that journey we have brought together people who did not think they would ever meet again.

Our achievements have been many and disappointments few. Our bereavements have been excessive, but we still have faith in each other and that is important. Come to Blackpool on the 26 April for the serious talking in the afternoon and our fun in the evening. I look forward to seeing you there.

KEN McGINLEY

§fa CHRISTMAS ISLAND r VETERANS REUNION 1997 7 I

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Welcome to Sand Bay Holiday Village for our third reunion since 1993. The reunion offers a marvel­ lous opportunity for our veterans of all services and their families who served on Christmas Island during 1956-64 to meet up and renew' and make new friends.

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For bookings, a copy of our current brochure

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and further details telephone Sand Bay on...'

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□ Full board in double/twin chalets with en-suite bathroom and colourTV. □ Tea and coffee making facilities □ Table service □ Sports facilities including indoor swimming pool, short mat bowls, snooker, table tennis and much MUCH more. □ Full programme of day/evening entertainment □ Cabaret, ballroom and sequence dancing □ Insurance optional extra at £8 per person

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For further information call Jim Cooper on 01903-232108 Chris Christodolo 01273462647 or Brian Vale on 01812-890-0188.

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pEJtT MEETING, BUT OUR HJECT IS IN LIMBH John Leuchars writes here about his last visit to Christmas Island. Fax or phone him on 0161-705-2289.

HE one outstanding fea­ ture of the venture to date was meeting the President of the Republic of Kiribati.

Shortly after Independance Day celebrations he and Madam President paid a visit to each of the republic’s 33 islands. He spent a full week on Christmas Island and both, accompanied by Linnix and District MP’s, made an official.visit to the library.

A finer gentleman one could only wish to meet. He appeared noticeably interested with the nuclear age paraphernalia adorn­ ing the library. But it was his engaging manner and stimulating conversation that had one overwhlemed.

His departure left me truly deflat­ ed and humbled, because prior to taking his leave he asked if I would write him the history of Christmas Island?

On the subject of coconuts and tree carving. all. the requested coconuts were dis­ patched to the UK. but due to a shortage of appropriate stamps at Kiritimati post office part of the consignment left bearing no duty paid sticker in place of postage stamps.

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HE picture below shows Sappers of 71 Field Squadron R.E. with A.W.R.E per­ sonnel and this crowd was known as 'The Mechanical Effects team Monte Bello 1952".

Sappers worked (laboured - hard labour) under the supervision of “Boffins" setting out vari­ ous recording instruments above and underground on various parts of the island at various dis­ tances from HMS Plym and "The Bomb" anchor­ age.

There are 12 boffins and nine Sappers. Not one of the boffins has been in touch from that day to this. Of the nine Sappers four, including myself, are members. Where are the rest? The four are Dougie Atwell, Eddie Reeves, Derek Howard, and myself. Of the other five Sappers I can only recall two names, Paddy Connery and Paddy Curry.

On the front row of the picture, second from left, was “boffin" Arthur Stead.

I remember him because his parents lived in my hometown, St.Helens. Despite many efforts I have failed to trace any of them.

How is the health of the boffins? I know some of them returned to the islands after the test to retrieve instruments and measurements before returning to HMS Campania and then flying home almost immediately with their findings.

PETER FLETCHER

The Island's post mistress assured me this was normal procedure when short of stamps. Sadly the tree carving project is still in limbo. Let me explain. Initially the spot picked for the tree carving was a copse of palm trees approxi­ mately two miles out of London on the road leading to the main camp, a spot relatively close to Tennessee school.

After some deliberation the tourist officer rejected this ‘site in favour of one at the boating lagoon, but again, after a lengthy period, this also was rejected. this time bv the ministry.

I believe the idea was that was that one day the self same site would make an ideal hotel loca­ tion.

So once more the tourist officer.

with myself in tow, engaged on an further sortee.

On this occasion the choosen location was at the junction of what I think we used to call the A land the road leading to the main camp.

Close by is a plant equipment dump. The site appeared alright but one problem remained, no one on the island then had the jurisdiction to authorize the go ahead. Kiritimati was virtually leaderless as the Ministry had bv then all departed to Tarawa for the opening of Parliament.

That is the position of the pro­ ject today with the funds deposited in an account.

Had ill health not stopped me I would have been back on the island a considerable time ago.

VICE-CHAIRMANS REPORT FOLLOWING my announcement in the last issue of the magazine that I was going to stand down at the end of this year’s term of office as Vice Chairman of our Association, I have received many, many letters and telephone calls thanking me for my efforts over the years and wishing me well. I must confess that on the twelfth day of Christmas all our cards were taken down and then a couple of nights later I re-read all the letters I had received and some 160 Christmas cards and I cried to myself a little. They made me feel so humble yet at the same time they made me feel immensely proud that I appeared so well thought of and respected. To each and everyone who contacted me by card, by letter or by phone, I extend my sincere thanks. Is it still my intention to stand down on April 26th? The answer is NO! I will stand for re-election and hopefully work on to see the victorious end to our fight for truth and justice.

My good wife Hilda does not agree with my decision, but having been deeply involved with our Association for 13 years, I feel I must carry on. Last September she wanted me to have a bet with her that I would not resign. I refused saying I was going to quit. Now she is complaining about my change of heart and also that I would not accept her bet.

EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS This subject is well covered within these pages so I will not dwell upon it except to say our Attorney Ian Anderson has worked extremely hard and his efforts appear to have given us a distinct bright light that is beginning to appear at the end of the tunnel.

However I still maintain it was a great pity we had to leave the UK to seek truth and justice. We can only hope and pray that we do win in the not too distant future and just payments and pensions are awarded to ALL veterans, our widows, damaged children and grand­ children and not to just a few selected cases. It is hoped Ian will attend the AGM in April to answer all your questions. Meanwhile can we ask you NOT to ring him at his New York office.

ACTS OF REMEMBRANCE and DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL STONES. Newcastle-Upon-Tvne: It is almost three years since I first started on this project for the North East. Now we are almost there thanks to our friends at the CoOperative Funeral Services in Gateshead and their Mr Kevin McAllister, who have donated the stone. Our own Bill Campbell, Mike Reid, and, of course, Sheila Gray are working round the clock to organise the dedication for April 12th, 1997. Please see Mike Reid's report and approach him for details because we may have to change the date. Unfortunately, we now omit our motto on these memo­ rials, the words - “Not forgotten” are replaced with “All We Seek is Justice".

Manchester: Again, many thanks to our friends at Co-Op Funeral Services (Liverpool and Manchester) and their Mr Steve Caine, who arranged and donated our Memorial for Manchester. The service took place on October 3rd last year in the Peace Gardens adjacent to Manchester Town Hall and was conducted by our Chaplain, Canon Nicholas Frayling along with Canon Michael Arundell. The Stone was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Derek Shaw. The music was rendered by Chethams School of Music. Many thanks to all of these good people, but especially to John and Liz Lowe. John received a grant from Manchester City Council which provided the buffet in the Town Hall following the service. I know for a fact John worked long and hard to make the day the success it was. Again, congratulations to all concerned..

Portsmouth: February 22nd, 1977 dawned windy, cold but bright and dry for our annual Remembrance Service by our own Memorial Stone in the grounds of Portsmouth Old Cathedral. We made yet another friend in the Reverend Canon Colin Bradley who conducted the service due to the Provost of Portsmouth, Reverend Michael Yorke, having another pre-arranged service to attend. We hold this service every February on the nearest Saturday to February 19th (it will be February 21st next year. Dave Riley again organised the event in his usual quiet and very efficient way. A piper played a lament and a trumpeter sounded the Last Post and Reveille. Many floral tributes were laid by the stone and it was my privilege to lay a poppy wreath. Mrs Betty Dannet and Mrs Ursulla Mathews placed flowers on behalf of our widows and Sid Harris (Blackpool) placed a floral tribute for the Aborigine people and South Pacific Islanders. We man­ aged to have present six of us who were in the original Advance Party to leave Portsmouth on February 19th, 1952, on HMS Zeebrugge and HMS Narvik (see full story on the front cover). Again many thanks to Dave Riley for his efforts in organising the day and also for helping the out of town veterans with their accommodation. Further thanks to Peter Wylde for his kindness and gen­ erosity in giving us our valuable magazine.

Other Matters in brief: Social Services Problems - Benefits etc: Ken Taylor (London Branch) is undergoing courses on this subject. If you need advice write to or ring Ken who tells me he is there to help and advise. Don’t forget the date - Saturday 26th April, 1997, the AGM at Blackpool.

Yet another year gone, but what a year for our Secretary Sheila Gray. She has been working long hours on our behalf, moreso in the last few months, dealing with our European affairs - just as our Chairman Ken McGinley has been doing. It means spending time sending and receiving faxes at all hours of the day and night from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Fiji and Strasbourg. To both of them, many thanks for your hard and loyal work on our behalf. In closing may I wish one and all, everything I wish for myself. Do your best - come to the AGM and I look forward to seeing you there.

PETER FLETCHER

The Queen sends her greetings to all BNTVA members

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ie BNTVA, via Peter Fletcher, has received two acknowledgements from The Queen at Buckingham Palace following two messages The Association sent to her. Her Majesty's first reply, in September, reads: “/ am commanded by The Queen to thank you for your message of loyalty, sent on

behalf of members of the British Nuclear Veterans Association - 1992.

“Her Majesty much appreciated your kind thought and / am to send her good wishes to you for a successful day on 3rd October, when you commemmorate the forty-fourth anniversary of the first British Nuclear Bomb Test, with a Dedication Service in Manchester. ” Signed Simon Gimson.

The second letter, from The Queen's Private Secretary at Christmas, read: “The Queen thanks you and all your colleagues most warmly for your kind message of Christmas greetings, which was received with much pleasure.

“Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh send you every good wish for Christmas and for 1997."

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WE extend our thanks to Ossie Thomas, secretary of the Risca Branch of the Royal British Legion, who for the last two years has, in conjunction with Peter and Gron Williams and Peter Fletcher, organ­ ised our Memorial Service and parade. The service takes place in the Cenotaph grounds where our own Memorial Stone is situated. It occurs on the nearest Sunday to October 3 anniversary of our first bomb test.

The service is conducted by our good friend The Reverend Richard

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Pain of St Marys Church. Risca.

Some 200 ex-servicemen attended and marched with the Newport Pipe Band along with approximately 20 Regimental standards in attendance, our own South Wales standard and the North West Standard included Our own contingent of Test veterans first attended the Harvest Festival morning service in St Marys before joining the main parade.

Don Touhig. MP for Islwyn, and the Mayor of Caerphilly, Leonard Lewis, laid wreaths on behalf of miners and

Dates for your diary 1977 SATURDAY APRIL 12: Unveiling of Memorial Stone - NewcastleUpon-Tyne.

SATURDAY APRIL 26: AGM at Blackpool SUNDAY APRIL 27: Church Parade and Service in Blackpool.

JUNE 14-20: Weymouth Military and Veterans Festival.

Main Parade Sunday June 15. Further details contact Bobbie Brewster on 01703-844489.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 3: 45th Anniversary of Great Britain’s first test at Monte Bello. Memorial Service at St.John’s Gardens, Liverpool. Contact Chris Rowlands.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 5: Church service and Memorial Parade at Risca, South Wales. Welsh veterans con­ tact Peter and Gron Williams on 01558822141.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8: Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph Parade in London. For tickets contact Peter Fletcher on 01744-29636.

1978 SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: Remembrance Service in Portsmouth Old Cathedral. For further details contact Dave Riley on 01705-735669.

ex-servicemen. Peter Williams. Mrs Gron Williams and Peter Fletcher laid poppy wreaths and flowers for the BNTVA. After the ceremony, we then marched to Risca Working Mens Club where a buffet was laid on for us and Ken Taylor gave a vote of thanks on our behalf.

The 1977 service will take place on Sunday 5th October. Please do your best to attend and contact Peter Williams for any further information.

Many members have sug­ gested raising anual sub­ scriptions and one in par­ ticular, Ken Roberts of Cleveland, has even writ­ ten to say they should go up.

Before we all meet up in Blackpool perhaps other members can write in with their views on the matter then we’ll have an idea of what everyone thinks.

Ken suggests doubling the annual amount to £10 but still allow widows and unemployed members the usual free membership.

As Ken points out prices have rocketed over the years, but our annual fee has remained at £5 for nearly 14 years.

Sheila Gray (Secretary)

WE SAY FAREWELL TO THREE DEAR FRIENDS

BY PETER FLETCHER

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RS Sheila Inwood has written to us wishing to send her thanks to all those who sent her cards and floral tributes following the sudden passing away of her husband Arthur on December 5.

Also, to everyone who sent donations, these have now been passed on to the BNTVA. Arthur was on Christmas Island from 1956-57 as a STS Driver with the Royal Signals. I recall how Arthur came to join the BNTVA. One morning I was watching a chat show on television which was looking at where people had spent a Christmas day to remember.

Arthur was a member of the audience and spoke of his Christmas Day on Christmas Island. I was not familiar with his name and guessed he was not a member so I immediately contacted the studio in Leeds who kindly passed my phone number on to him.He rang the next day and that's how he came to join.

It became his desire to return to Christmas Island and this he achieved in January 1995. only to find it littered with rubbish left behind by us in the 50’s and 60's. It then became his objective to get all

the scrap removed and to clean up the island. Alas, it was not to be. Perhaps some day someone will achieve this and no doubt Arthur will be looking down with a big smile on his face.

In November last year, we also learned, of the sad loss of John Price of Lancaster on October 11 and Malcolm Pitt, also of Lancaster, on October 9. It was so strange because our chairman Ken McGinley phoned to say Maureen Price had written to him to tell us of John’s passing. A few minutes later I opened the post to find a let­ ter from Mrs Dorothy Pitt reporting Malcolm’s sad loss. Coincidence?

Many will recall John who was on the BNTVA Executive Committee in 1983, 1984, and 1985.

Those who attended the 1996 AGM will have noticed the wooden painting of our badge on the stage. I remember arriving for the AGM and Malcolm greeted me at tbe door and presented me with the badge he had painted. He asked that I look after it and display it at meetings which I have done ever since.

Our deepest sympathy to Dorothy and her family and to all those who have lost loved ones. “We will remember them."

f NOTICE BOARP CT MRS Joan Dawkins would like to hear from anyone who served on Christmas Island with her late husband, Peter Dawkins. He was with the RAF, Tent No C8 and landed on 28th May, 1958, and departed from then island 28th October 1958 after witnessing three bomb tests.

She has a diary Peter kept at the time which shows he was very sick following a test and then hospitalised.

His diary says: “Temperature 103.

Couldn’t see or walk. Hands very shaky.

‘Lofty’ was the first to come and see me in hospital.” Are you out there Lofty? Do you recall your old pal Peter?

Who is the chap giving the thumbs up in the picture as he serves Peter with a cup of char? If you knew Peter please write to Joan at 33 Lucas Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9JL. OMRS Clare Walliker, widow of the late Lt.Commander John Henry Walliker RN, wrote enclosing several photographs of HMS Salvictor. A number of these pictures show the christening of a baby girl on the deck of the Salvictor. All the ladies are in white dresses and wearing large white brimmed hats. Clare says the baby was christened with the name Salvictor. Does anyone know how and why this event took place on a RN ship? Answers please to Peter Fletcher.

O JIM Benson, ex-RAF, would like to hear from any of his old mates who served with him on the Hastings flight or 1325 Dakota flight between September 1958 or until September 1959. Jim can be reached on 01762-391721.

DBOOKS: “Megaton Mornings” by Charles Hall. This book is about his experiences on Christmas Island and it is for sale at £5 per copy post paid. It can be obtained from Charles at Chase Cottage, The Chase, Ashingdon, Essex SS4 3JE (Tel: 01702-201659). Charles will donate £1 to BNTVA funds from every book purchased. □ DID you know Norman McKenzie? He served on Christmas Island between 1958-59 with the Royal Engineers, Did you share Tent 24 with him? His widow, RIGHT: ExCorporal Bill Hogg who recalls some really enjoy­ able times by ***** the fire and cray fishing with one of his old pals. ‘

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Mrs Mary McKenzie, would like to hear and she can be reached at 5 Idrigill, Vig, Portree, Skye.

OHMS Narvik Grapple Squadron Reunion - Christmas Island from 1956-1959. The reunion takes place on May 9th this year and you can find out more by contacting Rod Jenkins, 33 Paston Ridings, Paston, Peterborough PE4 7UR. □ FOLLOWING your September article relating to the types of cancers suffered by the Marshall Islanders, I too suffered from a benign tumour of the salivary gland and had it surgically removed just before last Christmas. Furthermore, shortly after returning to Blighty the enamel on all my teeth just crumbled away. If any other members have suffered similarly, would they contact A Johnson, 179 Whitbv Way, Darlington, Co.Durham DL3 9UG. □/ WAS a Corporal in the RAF on Christmas Island, 1958-59, and served at B site and down the port as a cook. My nicknames were Scotty and Jock. Does anyone from B site remember when Geordie would get a truck with a bunch of us in and drive to a deserted part of the island at night. There we would light a fire and have a few drinks and something to eat. Then there was one of the guys from Jamaica ‘Dudley Parchment’ who took us cray fishing in the dark, shark-infested waters with his light and matchet while the waves thundered in and not knowing how deep the water was we followed him like a bunch of foals. Needless to say we caught nothing. Someone must remember Corporal W Hogg 4158437. Drop him a line at: 9 Gerald Crescent, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8J2J5. □CAPTAIN J W Bradford (Retd) writes from 14 Mulberry Avenue, Stubbington, Fareham, Hants P014 2SN saying that our magazine brings back many memories for him. “It is great to see or hear any news about “Grapple" with 38 Regiment RE and especially 63 Squadron RE with the E&N Troop which I was so proud to command.

As all the old hands will recall, one was pleased to have a few hours off to go fish­ ing in the lagoon as you can see from my photograph. The photo of the desalination plant, printed in the Notice Board section of your October issue, was of interest. It was not needed when we were there because it was found that a dragline cut of about 3-4ft would ensure FRESH water floating on the surface to be collected and pumped around - we never used the desalination plant at all.

ABOVE: Does anyone remember Peter Dawkins? His wife is Irvine to find out.

ABOVE: Bill Bradford with one of his catches - a lovely hone fish.

NOTICE BOARD ..J. 2

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i

felt “Thank you”. It has taken a chronic disability over a period of several years to reinforce my belief in how much we rely on others and that no man is an island, par­ ticularly so when one is trying to exist on such a place. So if you’re still out there somewhere lads, that one time skin­ ny and oft-times sullen workmate in the MT sec­ ABOVE: Roy Gambrill with some of the sharks tion will be ever grateful caught off Christmas Island.

ABOVE: Barry, Derek and Dave outside their tent. and you are always in Now he wants to get in touch with his friends again. my prayers. casualties, Diana none; she rescued 70 DEARLY in October 1996, sev­ survivors. Now the congratulatory signals □ Dave Pickford of 8 Southern Close. from the 1st Sea Lord down arrived in pro­ enty officers and men of HMS Diana met Barton. Torquay. Devon. TQ2 8QJ. writes fusion. at Plymouth to celebrate the 40th anniverto us to try and track down some old pals.

Many veterans were unwilling partici­ sray of their ship commissioning. She was From a naive, introverted and rather surly pants as indeed I was. I received an unex­ the ship selected to deliberately steam teenager during the months March pected order to join Diana forthwith at through two nuclear fallout’s off the Monte through November 1958, on Christmas Devonport. In the Navy this is known as a Bello Islands in June 1956.

Island, there eventually arose a man who ‘pierhead jump”. The captain earmarked Like other veterans who participated in had learned to enjoy life one day at a time. to command Diana had broken both his these trials to give Great Britain the ‘H’ But spare a thought, if you would, for legs ski-ing. She turned out to be a happy Bomb, those on board felt that they had Dave, Richard, Roy and “Brum" with ship and we have clung together all these received scant recognition for their ser­ whom I shared a tent. I can tell you that years. vices in what would be classified as an Norfolk, Jersey, London and Birmingham (Capt J R Gower DSC, who was skip­ unwelcome peace time operation. have much of which to be proud of in per of HMS Diana.)

On passage back to rejoin the these sons for not only did they have to Mediteranean Fleet, Diana was stopped at contend with their own problems, they □ ONE of the fondest memories of my Aden due to the pending Suez crisis. The also suffered and nurtured me through first night of the war found her in the Red tour on Christmas Island with 17 INDE FD that evil and traumatic period, no doubt Sea ready for action, in company with the Sqn RE, was the times spent playing vol­ taking pity on this bewildered Devonian cruiser Newfoundland who was senior offi­ ley ball with the Fiji troop boys in the Main adolescent. They were men indeed and cer. Soon after midnight the Egyptian Camp prior to its closedown and subse­ although I have no idea as to whether or frigate Domiat (ex-HMSNith) was encoun­ quent removal of all remaining servicemen not they have all survived to this day, I tered and sunk. Newfoundland had a few to Port London. greet them very belatedly but with a heartThe task of our squadron was parking and preservation of span­ ners to the airfield, star mix and all things in between received our tal­ ents and our attention.

Back to the volleyball, these games were something else and would often end up with approxi­ mately 20-30 aside as nobody was refused a game. The ball, during these epic matches, often never touched the coral dust pitch for what seemed like ages and much fun was had by all. Normally when these games finally finished, many tinnies were downed and countless comradeships were formed.

That dot in the Pacific Ocean did have the odd good point about it. I finally finished my military service in 1971 as an SSI APTC after a stint in the early sixties from the island with the 9 Para Sqdrn RE. My good wishes to all ex-17 Sqn ARE you one of the happy bunch of Sappers above from 38 CER on Christmas Island in May 1958? Ex-CpI Emmott NC, chaps and all British Nuclear Test would like to hear from you. He can be contacted at “Maytress”, Smiths Avenue. Mayland. Cheslmsford. Essex CM3 6AS vets from from Roy Gambrill.

New Zealand veterans are continuing their fight to be given compensation N 1957-58 the New Zealand Frigates, HMNZS Pukaki and Rotoiti were involved with the Grapple Test as weather ships, thermal flash measuring, anti-submarine patrolling and air sea rescue. Approximately 600 RNZN seamen were involved being only 20-150 nautical miles from ground zero.

In the early 80’s, health concerns were evi­ dent amongst the NZ Grapple men. Little credence was given to our problems and a scoffing attitude was adopted by our Government. Some of our veterans therefore decided to raise public awareness through the media.

In 1988 an MOD official reluctantly announced that the Government would fund a Health Study on Grapple veterans. Due to ill health, a decline in the veterans concerns, plus my previous efforts to gain recognition of our case which had exhausted me finan­ cially, things quietened down.

In 1990 the Report was released. It turned out to be a Mortality and Cancer Incidence Study among NZ Grapple men NOT a Health Study as promised. Basically all it revealed was elevation of five times the risk of leukemia and overall increased risk of blood cancers.

The Government immediately paid out to those affected by blood cancers and this ‘payment’ has since been described as an ‘‘act of benevolence' rather than recognition of irradiation.

We were also informed that Grapple veter­ ans are not entitled to the full benefit of a War Pension scheme. A follow up was released in 1996 and showed the same ele­ vated blood cancers result. In other words, the Report backed up the earlier findings conducted in the UK by by the NRPB. Some interesting information did come out

I

of the report. The RNZN seamen on average attended 3.6 Tests as opposed to 1.2 UK Veterans. The only monitoring records are from the few held in the UK which pertain to gamma radiation only. We have long argued that because of varied duties and locations of the NZ frigates, the risk to crewmen would have been considerably higher. The small group of surveyed men (528) make cancers, other than blood cancers, but spread over a wider spectrum, undetectable due to lack of significant elevation.

Sue Rabbitt Roff recently revealed that neoplasms among the US Smokey and Hard-tack veterans and the UK veterans, averaged 23.1% - the rate among the 528 NZ Grapple Seamen was 37%.

During our earlier campaign I had contact with Ken McGinley and Peter Fletcher and so in 1993 I again approached Ken asking if he had any documentation which could help us in our fight - he responded with two large packages. That info convinced me further that what affected UK vets also affected us and that we needed to form an Association and present a united front.

Those papers, combined with our own research, are being used frugally and skillful­ ly to dispel the narrow and selected opinion that Government advisors are tendering.

Some months ago NZNTVA and BNTVA agreed to a ‘loose’ affiliation. It is an arrangement which allows us to go about our individual business yet give mutual support in times of need. BNTVA issued a statement that NZNTVA is the only NZ Grapple veter­ ans organisation it recognises.

In October 1996 New Zealand formed a Coalition Government and the Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, announced the funding of SNZ200.000 in legal expenses for

any possible class action by NZ victims of British Nuclear Testing on Christmas Island.

We are waiting for further announcements regarding this.

Because of our common service at Grapple, NZ and UK servicemen share a special bond. The professional and social interaction on such an unpleasant (though not by name) location involving military duty was both unique and dangerous and has strengthened that bond.

Our NZ veterans often speak of evenings at the ‘canteen’ ashore or ships visits and sports events. On a personal note as a radio operator, I can still hear the varied accents of the operators on HMS Warrior, Narvik and all the other ships involved and especially the voice of the ever efficient and authorita­ tive BRAVO MIKE (Beachmaster) on Christmas Island. The men may have gone, but the voices and memories will always remain. Images of young shipmates and other acquaintances will never age.

To you all in the UK, we the New Zealand men and widows and their families wish you well and much success in 1997. If there are any NZ veterans or their widows or surviving children now resident in the UK, will you please contact me. Also if there are any of you who served alongside us, I would also like to hear from you.

From Roy Sefton, President of the New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Association, 45 Newcastle Street, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Tel/Fax: 0064-635-84841

peace of mind The issue over pensions by being prepared People who care In time of need 0800-289-120 Everyone Inuw.s the value ol being prepared, hul do you knovt the value of The Co-operative Funeral Bond You pay for ihe funeral at today's prices Guaran­ teed- with no additional costs whenever the funer­ al occurs . conducted anywhere in the l/nited

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THIS is to remind all members and Associate members that it is time to pay one’s subscriptions again. I am aware many of you have already paid and that is the same loyal members who pay each and every year without fail. To those a Big Thank You because you are the members who are keeping the Association afloat.

However, I am downhearted by a total of 234 members who have moved without letting us know their forwarding address. This means we have a loss of £1,700 in lost subscriptions every year plus lost money in lost postage when we send out our magazine, only for them to be returned.

Now we come to those members who have not paid ANY subs at all since the change over in 1992, yet they still receive the magazine.

Again we are paying the postage for this and if that large number of the membership who have not paid would send us their subscription, we would be £5,500 better off each year.

All members have to do is contact me and I will tell them what they owe to date. As it stands with the loss of subs from 1992-1997, it means we have lost a total of £12,520 which could have been used for the good of the Association. And this does not even take into account Associate members. Some seem to think that when they join the £5 fee is it, but we need that subscription every year.

BILL KITTSEN TREASURER

Arnund the Branches FIRST of all I would like to thank Dave Riley who, at short notice, travelled up from Portsmouth with the Standard to attend the funeral of John Oughton. Also thanks to Brian Juniper and Harold Rozier. Our thoughts go out to John's family. I have arranged three meetings this year at the Royal Engineers Museum, Brompton Barracks, Chatham. These are on 12th April, 5th July and 4th October. They are all Saturdays and start at 1 pm. If you wish to attend these meetings and need a lift then please contact me on 0181-5552644 so I can arrange this for you. Please let me know if you’re attending so I can arrange the refreshments.

This year’s AGM is at Blackpool on 26th April at The Horseshoe Bar on the Pleasure Beach. If you need transport and accommodation for the week­ end then again please contact me so I can arrange this.

If, as indicated, Peter Fletcher retires as Vicechairman, then I would like to thank him on behalf of the London branch and myself for the hard and unselfish work he has done over the last thirteen years. Well done Peter, you are the tops.

The MOD are currently reviewing over 250 retained files and we hope to hear from them soon about the release of some of these or their rea­ sons for not doing so. Congratulations to our researcher, Paul Draper and his wife Susan, who gave birth to a son, Joel, on 26th December last year They already have a son Samuel.

Ken Taylor- London AT last we have made progress in getting a place to erect a Memorial stone in the North East. All we are waiting for is Newcastle Council's planning office to give us the go ahead. All being well, 12th April at 12-noon will be the time and place for this event and it will take place at St.Thomas the Martyr Chapel grounds, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

This is situated next to the Civic Centre in the Haymarket area. I will send a route map to all area representatives at a later date.

But please bear in mind there could be a change of date if things go wrong so please phone me on 0191-5497620 if you propose to attend and this will also give me an indication of how many to cater for at the buffet afterwards,.

At this stage, a big thank you to all those who have worked so hard on the above, in particular, Maj.Bill Campbell, Peter Fletcher and Sheila Gray.

Look forward to seeing everyone at the AGM. Mike Reid ■ North East MANY thanks to members who have contacted me with their news and views in recent times. As always I am always pleased to hear from you and trust that my change of address and telephone number did not cause any contact difficulties.

All being well, I do look forward to arranging a branch meeting this summer, probably on a date after the Weymouth veterans Sunday Parade (15th June) which forms part of the Military Week down there on the delightful Dorset Coast.

Hopefully our branch will be well represented at Weymouth and I consider it will give us a great opportunity to plan the Sussex branch meeting arrangements for July/August time in the Worthing area.

In the meantime, best wishes to all members and families and have a great summer.

Andrew Blosse - Sussex

I WOULD like to start by welcoming our new branch members. Bob Wade from Tadcaster has already attended one of our meetings and has got involved with the branch. Then there’s Mrs Betty Swinnow from York and our most recent addition, Keith Calvert from Huddersfield, both of whom we look forward to meeting in the future. May I, on behalf of Branch members, thank all those who responded to our ‘plug’ in the last issue by sending orders for tea towels, beakers, sweatshirts etc s ill ea towels and beakers a.ailaMe ,1 »ou would liKe to contact me in wnting.

Ge.Qr.g6 Robertson - West Yorkshire

PLEASE remember ‘ Weymouth Parade" is in June and that it is now 40 years since Operation Grapple started in that remote part of the world. A time to reflect. Note for your diary: Branch meeting at the RBL Newport Pagnel mid-day on the first Sunday of June/September/December/March, Pat Hurley - Milton Keynes THE branch hold their meetings on the last Tuesday of each month (except December) at

assess.,

a| ^ meeling ,,,hich is abonl one ,he membership. We also like to see new faces so if you live locally please come along. We have members who regularly attend the AGM in THE branch has been going along nicely for the Blackpool and the Cenotaph Parade in London, last few months and our meetings in October and We maintain strong ties with the National January were interesting owing to the enthusiasm Association and are pleased to ‘host’ the annual Memorial Service at Portsmouth Cathedral markof branch members. Mike Thomas from Congleton, Cheshire, is our latest member and he mg the anniversary of the first ships to sail to served on Christmas Island as an RAF cook. We Monte Bello from Portsmouth in 1954. The next are all keen to hear from our Government to find date is February 1998 and we will circulate more out their intentions, if any, in replying to the when it is confirmed. Peter Fletcher of course is Strasbourg report. Surely there must be some­ involved in organising this annual service. He is a thing for BNTVA otherwise why a report for the good friend of our branch and we wish to thank Government’s eyes only? Look forward to seeing him for all the hard and important work he does for you all at Blackpool. the BNTVA and wish him a long and happy retireJohn Cole - Nth Cheshire/Sth Staffs ment.

Dave Riley - Portsmouth ONCE again the magazine is going to press, but there is, this time, a light appearing on the Petition SOCIAL evenings are held at the White Ensign Club, Exeter, every three months and special before the European Commission of Human thanks to Bob Aslett and Brit Merritt who organise Rights. No doubt our Chairman will have given these events. I am very grateful and really do more information in his report herein and at the appreciate their help at these get together AGM. In November I attended the Field of evenings as I couldn’t manage without them. May Remembrance in Westminster Abbey and the I say that if there is any member in the North attendance from the Association was very good Devon and Plymouth who can similarly help out, although the lack of small crosses on our plot was then I would be grateful as I find the Cornwall area disappointing with only West Yorkshire and Merseyside branches donating funds for individual sufficient for me to manage. Things seem to be crosses. Then again, it was our first year. Locally moving in our favour at the European Court of Human Rights. Let’s hope we are successful the branch was actively involved at services on because so many people fought so hard to get land and sea during November. At the April meet­ where we are. Grateful thanks to one and all ing (6th) I hope to have more information on the may Justice prevail.

Euro Commission findings. I was intending to Noel Hendy - Devon & Cornwall stand down at this year’s AGM, but medical reports are thankfully much better than was at first expected. So all is well providing I keep taking the I WOULD finally like to say how pleased I was upon hearing the news of our three cases being tablets hence I will put up for re-election for the referred by the European Commission to the Committee. Finally, may I say our meetings have European Court of Human Rights for a final order. been poorly attended during the last year. Please I do hope that the final findings and recommenda­ make an effort to come along. The RBL open the tions are to the benefit of all Test veterans. At the club an hour early for us and to have only three or four people there is becoming an embarrassment.

AGM last year it was proposed that our annual So please try your best and come along. subscription fees be increased to £10. Notice of Chris Rowlands - Merseyside this had not been brought to the attention of the National Secretary 14 days before the AGM so it RE: Our case in the courts at Strasbourg. What could not be introduced. I. along with many other good news January 30th was for the Association. members of the Humberside branch were very In the east Midlands we managed to get ITV and pleased about this, the reason being we live in a BBC to come to my house and hold an interview very deprived County, i.e. low wages. Whilst realwith Marilyn Hall (widow of John), Brian ising the need to keep our bank balance in a mh,c^ifb ThTh eX"RN anb branch membe[) arJd. healthy state, I feel that to increase subscriptions cast from lunchtime onwards. What grieves me is, tbe end °^he da^ we cou,d ,ose a 0 me™be[sthere are still people out there saying “It is the first So w^b tb's *n m'nd iam appealing to members to they they have heard of the BNTVA". Well, where ’Think’ before you vote. If you can afford to subhave they been? Heads below the parapet until it scribe a little extra then fine, but think of those is fairly safe from the bullets? Or can they see who are struggling on low incomes. I've had my Im­ pound notes in front of their eyes? tie gripe, so until April that’s it.

Tom Kitchina - Humberside Derek Heaps - East Midlands

British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (1992) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Ken McGinley 12 Walpole Place Johnston Renfrewshire PAS ORE Tel: 01505-704936 VICE-CHAIRMAN: Peter Fletcher “Monte Bello” 134 Clipsley 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 Kittsen 28 Westover Green Bramley, Leeds LS13 3SO Tel: 0113-2361123 SOLICITOR: Mark Mildred 67 Sisters Avenue London SW11 5SW TEL: 0171-228-1321 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Chris Rowlands 14 Monksdown Road Liverpool LI 1 1HH 0151-2566688 Bobbie Brewster (Mrs) 61 Cedar Road, Hythe Southampton S04 6PS Tel: 01703-844489

Mike Reid 70 Rochdale Road Red house Estate Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 0191-549-7620 Mike Doyle 14 Exeter Gardens Stamford, Lines PE9 2RN Tel: 01780-65622 Ken Taylor 56 P^astbourne Road Stratford, London E15 Tel: 0181-555-2644 CHAPLAIN: Rev.NichoIas 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 John Lowe (Manchester) 45 Sheldrake Road, Broadheath, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5LJ Tel: 0161-941-2164 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, Woodvillc, Nr Burton-on-Trent Staffs DEI 1 7JR Tel: 01283-222113

Noel Hendv (Devon & Cornwall) 2 Bowdens Row, West End, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 2TS Tel: 01209-214814 Peter and Gron Williams (South Wales), 27 Heol Myrddin, Ffairfach, Llandeilo SA19 6PD Tel: 01558-822141 Dave Riley (Portsmouth) 190 Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth P04 8LE Tel: 01705-735669 Ken Taylor (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 CW1 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 ME1 2RD Tel: 01634-828827

Ken Leyland (Canada) 8840 Douglas Street, Box 2121, Port Hardy, BC Canada, Von-2PO Pat Hurley (Milton Keynes) 24 Caxton Road, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK12 50PG Tel: 01908-313024 A M Loudon (Scotland) 18 McLelland Drive, Kilmarnock, Scotland KA1 1SE Tel: 01563-43731 Jim Crossan (Australia) 86 Waygara Avenue, Green Valley, New South Wales 2168, Australia Andrew- Blossc (Sussex) 136 Timber Mill Southwater, Horsham West Sussex RH13 7SR Tel: 01403-732218 George Robertson (West Yorks) 64 Deighton Lane Healy, Bat lev, Wakefield, West Yorks WF17 7EU Tel: 01942-478301

TV*

Paper plan does not have any real bite

LET'S TRY TO HELP VICTIMS LIKE IGOR

BY MIKE DOYLE

AS you know the NRPB hold the database on the morbidity study conducted on our veter­ ans. When you have queries, that is where you apply for your dosage reading. Some months ago I had heard they intended to download the database onto paper and hand it over to the MOD - this to take place in March.

The reason given was the MOD had refused to fund it any longer as it was costing too much. I was informed it would be just as con­ venient and cheaper this way. Now I am not a computer buff but they wayl looked at it was - it has to be cheaper to have one man (with one finger) to push a button on a computer than have someone go manually through pages of paper. So that is when the battle began.

I began writing letters (and I have the corns on my lingers to prove it). First it was to the NRPB to ask if what I had heard was true we had not been informed officially about the downloading. The answer was ‘yes’ in March’.

I then asked if they would be willing to have the database transferred to a different location. The reply was I would have to have the permission of the MOD as they were the funding body.

OK, I wrote to the MOD and their reply was it was the Department of Health who funded it! Back I went to the NRPB with this and I was then told 1 would have to obtain permission from the ethical authority the British Medical Association. Never say die (that’s my motto) so off went another letter guess what - they were not the ethical author­ ity and knew nothing about our study!

Do you get the feeling I was being given the run around? I plodded on and that was when Sue Rabbit Roff offered her assistance (God bless her). She roused the interest of people at her university and they were astounded to learn of the proposed actions of the NRPB. After detailed discussions (and more letters) Sue and I have managed to get a ‘stay of exe­ cution’ on the downloading until matters are resolved. We are now hopeful that the study database will be transferred to a university to be used for research purposes and therefore safe.

I have obtained all the necessary permis­ sion required, now all we need is the money to pay for the upkeep and transfer - if any of you have a tew thousands lying idle and want to get rid of it, I can give it a good home!

Seriously, it is looking good for us and Sue and I intend to keep up the pressure until it is safely in our keeping.

SHEILA GRAY

M

ANY of you will have seen and been moved by the recent television pro­ grammes about Igor, the little boy who has come to Britain from an orphanage in Minsk for help in combatting his problems with limb deficiencies brought about by cont­ amination from Chernobyl.

Some of you will have sent for the informa­ tion pack generously made available by Carlton Television and publicised at the end of the programme.

To quote producer/director Mandy Temple: "Igor will need constant monitoring for cancer and ongoing prosthetic support. He may never obtain his dream of being normal, but at least his journey through life can be made less harsh.

“He’s a very special little boy, an ambassdor for the million other children who are suf­ fering needlessly.

“When I was asked to make a film about the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, I had no idea of the devastation and despair I would find. It was as if the world had turned its back on Belarus.”

In the orphanage in Minsk where Igor grew up, Dr Marashova and her staff work likje angels trying to give these children some sort of life against all the odds. The condi­ tions are pitiful - vitamin pills are far too

expensive and a packet of aspirin costs half an average month’s salary. Medicine, food. clothes, aid, in fact any help at all is des­ perately needed.

Perhaps some of you are individually involved already, but I believe that together, partly because of our own unique history and understanding, and partly because we are spread over the whole country, we can be of immense help.

I cannot get out of my mind the fact that vit­ amins, aspirins, and other pain killers which we can buy so cheaply and readily, cost the equivilent of two weeks wages.

I have been provided with a list of UKbased charities serving various aspects of the problem, too long to take up space here, but please let me know if you would like a copy.

I would also like to have your thoughts and ideas as to how we can best help as a group. In the meantime I will be talking to a number of them myself.

RETURNING TO MY USUAL THEME: Please keep your NRPB record details com­ ing, remember, they might not always be available. Only you will know if they are accurate. I note that nowadays they only seem to give the dates of the bombs and not the dates on/off the Island or Site

AND I'LL SECOND THAT

BY SHEILA GRAY

I

would like to reiterate Mike Doyle’s request for the Chernobyl children. For my sins I have been made Treasurer of the Baltic

Ecological Parliament as representative of the BNTVA. This has entailed me travelling to Poland three times in the past year at MY OWN EXPENSE. I emphasise this as there have been questions and objections raised to the BNTVA funds sponsoring me.

My point in telling you this is that l have seen for myself the children who are suffer­

having the medical equipment or medicines to do their job properly.

In my part of the UK I assist in sending over medical equipment and drugs; toys for the children and clothes. I have also been fortunate to be in Poland when the contain­ ers have arrived and so seen the joy on the faces of, not only the doctors, but also the children.

It has been said, why should we pay to go over there and help them, if they want our help let them pay for it.

Let us all cast our minds back to when we

ing thyroid cancers because of Chernobyl

needed help - thank goodness we did not

and it is heart-breaking.

meet the same attitude. So if you can help

In the summer of last year I was invited into

Mike in anyway, please do contact him. He,

Russia to meet professors and doctors who

myself and the people he is trying to help,

are struggling to help the children without

will be eternally grateful.

■

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(Licensed Private Hotel) |

38 Shaw Road (opp promenade)

18 Withnell Rd, Blackpool.

□Fully licensed □B/B &evgmeal □Full c/heating □All rooms en-suite □Tea/coffee facilities □Large car park

□ En-suite bedrooms available □ Bar lounge □ Car parking (limited). □ Sun lounge with Tv. □ Tea-cottee facilities in all room.

rooms □ jree child plates I Q jull central heating

Ring MARLENE on 01253--341771 or s.a.e. from above address

TEL: 01253-343364

Fernlea Select Self Contained Flats

□ <Tea makers in all

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Sandalwood

(TEL: Dan Harris

Southside

70 Station Road, Blackpool.

HOLIDAY FLATS 22 Osborne Road, South Shore .Blackpool □ 50yds from Promenade, Sandcastle, Pleasure Beach . □ All flats self contained □ Fully fitted - electric metered □ Sleeps 2-6 □ Bedding supplied

□ Clean , modern, and

□ Open all year □ Parking space □ Convenient for South Pier, Promenade, Sandcastle and Pleasure Beach

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TEL: 01253-343362

Superior Holiday Flatlets 64 Station Road, Blackpool.

(Open all year round)

TEL: 01253-346512 jenny Williams

fuCCy

equipped accommodation □ Close to South Short amenities QConstant hot toater included

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Langroyd Private Hotel | The granville 47 Station Road (opp South Pier), Blackpool.

TELEPHONE: 01253-342263 □ Fully licensed □ Excellent menus □ Modern bedrooms with tea making facilities and tv's □ No meters □ Some en-suites

□ Lovely dining room, comfortable lounge and a friendly licensed bar □ All the amenities needed to help you enjoy your stay

Licensed Hotel

12 Station Road, Blackpool Telephone: 01253-343012 □ Situated opposite South Pier □ Large, comfortable bar/lounge □ Spacious separate dining room □ Excellent varied menus □ Choice of standard or en-suite bedrooms with all facilities □ Full central heating Proprietors - Pat and Wilf Taylor

PROPRIETOR: TREVQr COX

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ELn ‘Easter messagefrom our Cftapfain ister is a time of new beginning. flhat, (T7 J you may thinks is the sort of thing that peopfe fife me say from pu Cpits, but for once it is true! 'Easter is a festival of new life, the time when Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus, The Son of Cjod, turned defeat into victory, tragedy in to triumph and death into new fife for all eternity. ‘There is nothing quite (ike it in any other religion.

It would be both over-simple and also offen-

si ve to some to draw comparisons between your campaign for recognition and for justice with this earth-shattering event.

1The connection is, of course, more subtle.

(The central conviction of the Christian faith is that Cjod became man, in order to feelfor our sadness and share in ourgfadn css. fThe cause of the ‘B'J^PCTt is a just one, and we all hope and many of us pray that you will achieve the recognition that you so richly

deserve. 'But of one thing we may be quite cer­ tain; happy or sad, sick or well, in company or alone, Cjod is until us.‘There could be no more reassuring fact than that. tMay I wish all our members a very ‘Jlappy •Easter andgood health and success in the coming months.

Canon icholas frayling •Rector of Liverpool

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT!

BY PETER FLETCHER

M

ISTAKES, errors, call it what you may, but they do occur in every walk of life.

Not everyone is perfect, honest, accu­ rate and totally incapable of making mistakes.

Except, that is, the gnomes of Whitehall within the corridors and offices of the Ministry of Defence (or so they say).

“Men and equipment with and without pro­ tection will be used to test the effects of ionis­ ing radiation.” So read top secret orders. The said order (one of many) now declassified, was questioned. The reply: Oh! It did not mean MEN - it should be read as DUMMIES with and without protection.”

One applies for a pension and either it is awarded or refused. If it is the latter then we appeal. You wait months, even years, for your name to reach the top of the waiting list for your appeal to be heard, then “bump", you are informed it cannot be heard. Why? Because your papers have gone missing or more infor­ mation has come to light or the War pensions medical directorate needs more time to con­ sider. Back to the bottom of the waiting list you go.

Recently the widow of an RAF officer rang me in a bit of a panic to say her tribunal appeal was to be heard in ten days.

I tried to reassure her and asked her to keep me informed. Two days before she was due to appear she called to say her hearing had been post­ poned. Why? Well, they had not known her late husband was an RAF Commissioned officer therefore her case would have to be considered by a different tribunal. We still await the outcome.

Two other very disturbing cases recently brought to light: CASE ONE: A veteran ex-RAF Christmas Islander, attended and just two days previously had received further evidence to sup­ port his appeal. As you know, all evidence and paperwork has to be in the hands of the W.P.A. and the P.A.T. weeks prior to your hearing and you cannot produce anything else on that day. Our member

Pension appeals should not be an occasion for giving members the runaround...

therefore attended the venue and requested his RBL representative to seek an adjourn­ ment. The representative was, it appears, annoyed stating that he had travelled all the way up from London to Manchester for the case and that he (the applicant) would not succeed in his appeal anyway "because there was no radiation on Christmas Island.”

CASE TWO: The widow of one of our mem­ bers attended her venue for her appeal only to be told: “Sorry, it cannot be heard, your file has gone missing."

To add insult to injury, so to say, her RBL representative told her: "Radiation did not cause the cancer that killed your husband, it was whisky and ciga­

rettes." Needless to say letters of protest will be dropping through the letterbox. These inci­ dents are diabolical and disgraceful and must not be allowed to reoccur.

My questions now to our members are: (1) Have you experienced similar treatment?

(2) Have your documents gone missing'?

(3) Has your appeal been cancelled at the 11th hour?

If so please write to me with full details.

In all honesty I must admit that I have written to and telephoned both W.P.A. and P.A.T. not only regarding my own appeal, but on behalf of members and have received nothing but help, advice, kindness and consideration from both authorities.

Having said that, my papers were sent to a specialist consultant for him to study and follow this up with a full med­ ical examination.

They were sent in November last year.

In January I inquired about any progress and discovered that my papers had ben lost in transit. The Consultant had not even received them.

Fair play! W.P.A. sent him a duplicate set and I received my medical examina­ tion all within two weeks.

But what would have happened had I not queried what was happening? How long would I have waited until someone realised my case was still on file FROZEN'?

Please write to me with any experi­ ences you have had regarding this issue.