SEPTEMBER 2019
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE
NAAV AND ALL TESTS REUNION EDITION
PETI-
TION
The Daily Mirror have supported the Nuclear Test Veterans for over 30 years and Susie Boniface has written numerous articles and continues to support our cause daily. At the 2019 Annual Conference, Alison Phillips, the Editor of the Daily Mirror pledged support for our text a friend service, which was launched by Susan Musselwhite. We are pleased to announce that the Daily Mirror have given a substantial donation towards the running of the service, which will enable it to continue for many years. We are very grateful to Alison for making this possible and to the Daily Mirror for their support and generosity.
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You can text about anything
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Even if it is just to say hello
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If you are feeling low
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If the four walls are closing in
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and you feel you cannot talk
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Feel that you have no-one?
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Together we are stronger
To text a friend, send a text to 07892719691 we aim to respond within half an hour from midday to midnight. 2 www.bntva.com
Chairman's Message Dear Member, Welcome to the Autumn edition of Campaign Magazine Contained within this edition is FALLOUT: Portraits of Nuclear Children by Gordon Murray which has been produced by the University of Winchester at no cost to the BNTVA. I hope you enjoy the interviews. We have been exceptionally busy in September, attending the NAAV conference in Dayton Ohio and the All Tests Reunion at Pontins, Sand Bay, Weston Super Mare. Our submission to the Advisory Military Sub Committee has been accepted and we are awaiting the decision of the board in regards to our medal campaign. Everyone has worked exceptionally hard to ensure that the submission was possible and I would like to thank everyone who has written to their MP’s, submitted Freedom of Information Requests and promoted our cause. We continue to forge links across the world and have produced a video to mark the UN International Day Against Nuclear Tests on the 29th August which was very well received across the world. Our new standard will be dedicated on the 3rd October (NAVAD Day) at the National Memorial Arboretum and there are 45 people registered to march at the Cenotaph Parade (we can no longer accept any submissions for the parade). The announcement at the Labour Party conference is a major step in the recognition campaign.
Alan Owen FBCS CITP The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (1173575) If you would like to unsubscribe or change how you hear from us in the future, please write to us at PO Box 1223, Spalding. PE11 9GD, email info@bntva.com or call 0208 144 3080. www.bntva.com 3
Medal Campaign Update In August this year we submitted our claim for medal recognition to the Advisory Military Sub Committee (AMSC). The submission will be reviewed by the AMSC board and a decision made. We have received confirmation that the AMSC board will be meeting in September and a decision will be sent to us by November. We are hopeful that the efforts made by everyone and the MP’s who have supported our campaign will ensure that a medal is awarded for the unique service of the Nuclear veterans. With the turmoil in government and BREXIT, the process has taken longer than expected, but the submission has now been made. We have now had 3 different Defence secretaries since we started the campaign! Once a decision has been announced, we will ensure that everyone of you is notified as soon as possible. Thank you to everyone who has promoted our campaign, obtained signatures, written to MP’s, made Freedom of Information requests and ensured that the world does not forget the Nuclear Tests and the impact it has had on the servicemen, their families, the indigenous people and the eco systems.
40 The ‘Jesse’ Award Outstanding Contribution Award 4
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Contents 6
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2019 NAAV
All Tests Reunion
Conference
Pontins
Dayton, Ohio
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Labour Party
Income & Expenditure
Emily Thornberry
2017-1018
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International News
Challenge Coins
Keith Kiefer
New Designs
34 2020 Calendars David Hemsley
We want to Hear from You! Email any stories to editor@bntva.com or write to PO Box 1223, Spalding. PE11 9GD.
/BNTVACharity @BNTVA
MEDIABNTVA www.bntva.com 5
2019 NAAV Conference The 2019 National Association of Atomic Veterans (NAAV) was held in Dayton Ohio, between the 11th and 13th of September. Eric Barton (Operation Dominic representative), his wife Janet, Alan Owen (Chairman) and his wife Mel represented the BNTVA. Alan was asked to give two presentations on the day of the conference, providing an update on the BNTVA and Nuclear Veterans Worldwide. The conference had presentations from AVEN, OBSIVEN, RECA, Nuclear Policy experts and Nuclear Veterans. During the 3 day conference, we were invited to attend the Mound Museum in Dayton Ohio, where Manhattan Project work was undertaken.
The Manhattan project was headed by General Leslie R. Groves. The museum’s website can be accessed via https://moundmuseum.com/
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The Mound Museum contains details of the work that was carried out on the triggers for the Nuclear bomb testing. The museum is housed in the administration building on the original site. It contains interactive exhibits and interesting stories, including that of a Russian Spy who infiltrated the organisation and gave information back to Russia, he was never captured and returned to Russia. Secrecy surrounded the work at Mound and everyone was given very high clearance levels. In 1945, George Koval infiltrated the Dayton Project.
Code named “Delmar”, he sent significant technical information concerning polonium and more to the Soviet Union. This information allowed the Soviets to test their own atomic bomb in 1949.
Soviet espionage with the US began before World War II and continued throughout the Cold War. Spies such as Koval heightened security efforts to keep classified information secret. www.bntva.com
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Mound Museum
Conference Report We received a presentation from a member of staff who had worked at the site for over 25 years. The presentation included his personal experiences, travelling to test sites and working directly with Polonium. A number of questions were raised, including how many triggers were used for Nuclear testing. Interestingly enough, the current batch of Nuclear Weapons used by the US still have parts manufactured by Mound.
At the museum, one of the exhibits showed the radiation suits that the employees used when handling Polonium. Eric Barton is pictured standing next to the exhibit in a polo shirt and shorts. Eric commented ‘Apart from my hat and sandals, this was what I was wearing when I worked on the tests’. We know that our Nuclear Veterans did not get the same levels of protection as the employees of Mound. 8
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USAF Museum We were also given a personal tour of the US Air Force museum, which contains over 360 aircraft, including the Presidential planes and various Nuclear bombs.
During the tour, the NAAV Commander challenged our Chairman to take part in a F14 simulator experience. The simulator involves spinning upside down. This picture was taken at the end, we will leave it to you to decide who enjoyed it the most! Alan Owen and Keith Kiefer in the simulator www.bntva.com
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NAAV Board Meeting
Conference Report
The BNTVA were invited to attend the NAAV board meeting held at the end of the Museum tour days. This meeting started at 7pm and finished at 10pm. The NAAV board members discussed various issues. Some board members were not physically present, but joined the meeting via the telephone. The BNTVA participated in the meeting and offered to help NAAV wherever possible. During the meeting, a point of discussion was the setup of a new UK Charity ‘OBSIVEN UK - International’, which will showcase the research that is occurring from around the world. The BNTVA are not part of OBSIVEN in France as we feel that we need to concentrate our efforts on our members. We told the NAAV board that we would not be joining OBSIVEN or the new UK Charity and the NAAV board decided to defer their decision pending further information. This led to a heated argument between the French representatives of OBSIVEN and the BNTVA representatives. Our members always come first and we need to remain focused on UK issues whilst supporting International research. The NAAV board decided to undertake their own DNA study which will be conducted on a Veteran and their child and use the Veterans sibling as a control subject. This study has not been completed before and we support the research and hope that it’s findings confirm the Massey Study results.
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NAAV Conference Day The Conference on Friday provided an opportunity for the BNTVA to provide an update on their current projects and to promote Nuclear Veterans Worldwide to the audience. During the initial presentation, we provided details of how the American national anthem tune is taken from an old English drinking song from the 1700’s, a comeback to the NAAV National Commander who asked us if we were going to sell any ideas to the Russians! All in good humour. The NAAV Commander presented the Chairman with a Star Trek uniform which was then worn during the Nuclear Veterans Worldwide presentation. At the gala dinner, the NAAV Commander also presented the Chairman with hoodie with details of the stolen ideas being sold to the Russians. This was worn by the Chairman on the way back to the UK, and he was stopped by an American who wanted to read it! This co-operation and collaboration through various media channels has raised awareness of the Nuclear Veterans, the inhabitants of the areas where the testing took place and the effect on the planet as a whole. The whole Nuclear Veteran community is suffering and by sharing stories across the community without building complex international organisations, we can help each other and share research findings. Each country have their own issues and we need to be respectful to each other, after all, we share a common bond.
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2019 All Tests Reunion Conference Report The 2019 All Tests Reunion was held between 23rd to 27th September 2019 at Pontins, Sand Bay, Weston Super Mare.
105 people attended the reunion, including members of the BNTVA board who are fully supporting the event. A fun week with a trip to the Helicopter Museum.
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As you can see from the pictures, everyone enjoyed the re-union, the Hawaiian night was enjoyed by everyone, with some very bright shirts. The winning golf team were awarded medals as were the winning quiz team. They will return in 2020 to defend their titles. www.bntva.com
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Tony Johnson, pictured with Rotee Walsh with his coconut from Christmas Island. It is dated 1957 Conference Report and was a talking point with many veterans who posted them back. One veteran’s wife received hers with their address in marker pen and a stamp on it, no packaging, just the coconut! The highlight of the Hawaiian evening was traditional Gilbertese dances performed by Chloe Karea, Ommirite Maddison, Rotee Walsh and Buaua James. Everyone joined in for the last dance and tried to follow the dance moves.
Denise Bristow with a picture of an early Weston Super Mare reunion from the 1980’s. 14 www.bntva.com
David Hemsley with his ‘Jesse’ award presented at the reunion.
The women who attended the reunion all dressed in Hawaiian attire. As you can see, more women than men attended this year.
The men who attended the reunion all dressed in Hawaiian shirts. It was great to see representatives from Montebello, Maralinga and Grapple. All three services were represented, with an increase in Navy veterans and descendants.
This year there were 14 descendants at the conference, including 2nd and 3rd generation. (some were not available at the time of the picture)
The 2020 All Tests Reunion will be held at Pontins, Sand Bay, Weston Super Mare between 21st - 25th September. To reserve your place call 0208 144 3080 for further details. www.bntva.com
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Merchandise
Conference Report
Online Shop The BNTVA online shop has over 50 products for sale. All orders are processed in the order they are received and sent out via 2nd class post. Orders may also be split into 2 packages where we have stock items available. (Car stickers / DVD’s / Lapel badges etc.) You can also pay your membership online via the shop, order Guinea Pig Certificates and sign your children up to the Neutrino’s. All profits are donated back to the BNTVA and help to ensure that the Association can continue to provide essential services.
Shop Manager Spotlight Mrs Melanie Owen is the Shop Manager for the BNTVA, she provides this service on a voluntary basis and receives no remuneration for her work. She processes each order, packages them and takes them to the post office. The shop has proved very popular since she took it over with 713 products sold online and many more at events. 16 www.bntva.com
Join the BNTVA To join the BNTVA contact us for a membership application form which contains all the details on paying your membership or join online. Electronic membership (Campaign sent via email) Individual £20.00 | Family £30.00 Postal membership (Campaign sent via the post) UK Individual £25.00 | UK Family £35.00 Overseas Individual £35.00 | Overseas Family £45.00
There are three ways to pay your BNTVA membership:
Cheque Payment Make cheque payable to BNTVA, write your membership number (if known) on the rear of the cheque and send to: BNTVA, PO Box 1223, Spalding, PE11 9GD.
Direct Debit Email info@bntva.com or call 0280 144 3080.
Via the Shop Visit www.bntva.com/shop to pay online. All membership data is stored on a secure server in accordance with GDPR. We will not pass on your information to any third party. To view our privacy policy, visit www.bntva.com or call 0208 144 3080 for full details. www.bntva.com
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Labour Party Conference Britain's nuclear heroes have been promised a full and unequivocal apology by a future Labour Prime Minister. Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry announced a manifesto pledge at the Labour party conference to give £50,000 to every survivor of Britain’s Cold War radiation experiments. And afterwards she told the Mirror: “We need a Prime Minister at the despatch box not just making good on this commitment we’ve made, but issuing a formal apology to the nuclear test veterans and families on behalf of the whole country.” It is the first time any frontbench politician has made such a promise to the survivors and relatives of 22,500 men who took part in the UK nuclear weapons tests between 1952 and 1991. She also called on the Tories and Lib Dems to match Labour’s promises. The BNTVA have written to the leaders of the Political parties for reaction to this pledge from the Labour party. We will be meeting with Emily to discuss the pledge. This pledge comes after a lot of campaigning by the BNTVA and Susie Boniface.
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Income and Expenditure The BNTVA accounts were filed for 2017-2018 with the Charities Commission, a full breakdown of Income and Expenditure is available to members:
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International News
Medal Campaign
Some might say we (Americans) are the prodigal child. We have just completed our 40th Anniversary Convention for NAAV. It was a great turnout and line up of speakers. We had a number of dignitaries (like the Republic of the Marshall Islands Ambassador to the USA, Gerald Zackios.) There was something for everyone in attendance. Again, I had fun at the BNTVA Chairman, Alan Owen’s expense. Starting with a salvo shot, “My mother, or as they say in Britain, mum said it’s not fair to have a battle of the wits with someone that is unarmed.” Then sharing a rumor of when Alan visited the USA NAAV Conference, 2017, in Branson Missouri, he left his Star Trek, Next Generation Red Shirt behind. Here I flashed a picture of him on the screen and followed it with a video about Red Shirts. I shared with the attendees there are three significant aspects of the Red Shirt. First, you can put the Federation Symbol on with out the backer and the blood doesn't show. Second, the Red Shirts never make it through the episode alive. And the third is a private joke between us. Later I challenged him to join me in a trainer as my gunner. I put the trainer into several rolls while he tried to shoot down enemy planes. My goal was to see if I could shake him up. He held up admirably. I think we made a good team, making the rank of Novice. We could have fell to Rookie or some lower level status. I finished the convention giving Alan a white flag for his use when he gives up and a hoodie with a logo stating “I stole this from NAAV, USA … Looking for a Russian buyer.” I closed with a caution not to wear the hoodie in New York and run from the Police, unless he wanted to get shot.
I learned from Alan the US National anthem is fashioned after a British Bar tune. To this I say, “Here Here” and “Cheers.” It’s still a damn good tune. Just like the children’s nursery rhyme/song “London Bridge is falling down.” Speaking of which the London Bridge has stood for decades in Lake Havasu, Arizona, USA. We have had sport at Alan’s expense with the use of forms of the “Invisible Enemy,” “Deny, Delay until they Die,” “The order of the guinea pig” but please understand it’s meant in good fun. Any use of these and other items is welcomed so long as it’s used to further the cause(s) of the Atomic Veteran community. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Meaning through imitation, that person/group values what the other person/group is doing. Thank you for sharing your Trustees they were a great asset to our convention. Keith Kiefer, NAAV, National Commander 20 www.bntva.com
Conference Report
Fissionline - Forgery
Whilst attending the NAAV Conference, a copy of Fissionline 59 was sent to our Chairman, which contained a very personal attack on him, his wife, his business and Dr Alexis-Martin. The BNTVA put out a response to the magazine via Nuclear Veterans Worldwide which can be read by visiting https://www.nuclearvets.com/post/smokeand-mirrors-bntva-chairman Dr Alexis-Martin contacted Alan Rimmer of Fissionline and he knew nothing about the publication. We now know that this publication is a forgery, persons unknown have hijacked the publication and used it to attack the BNTVA and it’s board members. We do not know who is behind the attack, or the reasons why, we do know that it has now been emailed to some members. We do not know how they obtained the email addresses. The creator of the publication needs to have had an insight into the BNTVA and the NCCF research projects, the technical knowledge to produce a copy of Fissionline and access to a mailing list of supporters. This matter has now been reported to Greater Manchester police and investigations are ongoing. A joint statement released by Fissionline, BNTVA and Dr Alexis-Martin states: "Fissionline 59 has appeared online on the 12th September, it is a phony version put out by people who wish to cause mischief. The police have been contacted and enquiries are ongoing. If anyone has information as to the authors of this forgery, please contact us immediately." Please call 0208 144 3080 with any information you have regarding this incident. www.bntva.com 21
Challenge Coins One of our members sent a design to the Chairman for a set of new coins to be produced. We liked the design so much, that we have produced a limited run of 100 of each coin. They are priced at £12.50 per coin or can be purchased as a set with the original coin issued last year. Each coin contains the BNTVA crest on one side.
New Individual Coin - £12.50 / Set of Two New Coins - £20.00 Set of Three New Coins - £26.00 Invisible Enemy with one new coin - £25.00 Invisible Enemy with two new coins - £35.00 Invisible Enemy with three new coins - £40.00 Order via www.bntva.com/coin or by calling 0208 144 3080.
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BNTVA Board of Trustees
Alan Owen Chairman
Sandie Hern Vice Chairman
Alison Walker Secretary
Doug Hern Historian
Susan Musselwhite
Eric Barton Social Media Manager Operation Dominic
Ron Watson Treasurer
Shelly Grigg Fallout Group
Robert McCann Standard Bearer
Appointed Persons
Sir John Hayes CBE MP Patron
The Very Revd, Nicholas Frayling BA, LLD
Association Chaplain
Dr Becky Martin Academic & Research Advisor
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Contact Us BNTVA PO Box 1223 Spalding PE11 9GD
0208 144 3080
info@bntva.com
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Campaign magazine is published by the BNTVA. Next issue copy deadline - 1st December 2019 All contributions for the magazine should be sent to editor@bntva.com or posted to the above address.
BNTVA is not an anti-nuclear or an anti-war association. All opinions, views and quotations do not represent official BNTVA policy and are the sole responsibility of the writer. Photographs and images—Copyright of owner acknowledged. Campaign cannot guarantee total accuracy of any reproduction of letters / articles / transcripts. BNTVA is a Registered Charity Number 1173575 supporting the past and present UK Nuclear Test Combined Service Veterans and their families.