BNTVA Journal Spring 2010

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE

The Journal of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association

CAMPAIGN March 2010

Registered Charity number 1131134

1 Today Maralinga

2 Maralinga Ceremony

T

he final section of the former Maralinga nuclear test site in South Australia's north has been handed back to it’s traditional owners.

our history when little regard was given to Aboriginal people or their connection to the land. He said “The Maralinga Tjarutja people were put through an unthinkable experience”.

On the 18th December 2009 a ceremony, involving the Maralinga They were forced from their lands Tjarutja people, ended their 50against their will. They had year struggle to have the land nuclear weapons tested, and returned. hazardous chemicals used on their It followed the passing of traditional sacred lands, and legislation in the South Australian important parts of their community Parliament allowing for Section and beliefs were torn from them.

400, an area of 3,100 square kilometres, to be handed back.

Mr Weatherill said “the hand back followed years of negotiations and The Maralinga area was used by the British government for nuclear extensive rehabilitation work”. tests between 1953 and 1963.

Even after the clean up, 70 square miles of this land is still The first hand back of land to the considered too dangerous to allow Maralinga Tjarutja occurred in people to live on it.

1984 with two further parcels of land returned in 1991. Section 400 is located about 300 kilometres northwest of Ceduna.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jay Weatherill said “while the Maralinga story was one of suffering and loss, Friday's ceremony was about healing.” ' The British nuclear tests occurred during a period in 3

the medieval mystic, that: ‘All will be well, and all manor of thing will be well’…

Even, or perhaps especially, when we least expect it.

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message for Easter from our Long-standing members of this Chaplain

‘Now there remain faith, hope and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.’

Association have known much discouragement as they have sought justice and proper recognition of service and sacrifice.

Famous words from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, so often read at weddings and increasingly, I find, at funerals.

Many are no longer with us, but – I dare to hope – continue to support the present and coming generations with their prayers.

Far be it for a mere Chaplain to take issue with St Paul, but I do wonder whether the greatest of the three Christian virtues should really be hope.

The BNTVA is facing fresh challenges, not least in the vital examination of the health of the children and grandchildren of veterans.

Hope always has a future reference: in the Christian story, there is the hope expressed in the new birth at Bethlehem; the hope which constantly filled Jesus' teaching; and above all the Resurrection hope – the promise of new life, which turned the defeat of Good Friday into the triumph of the first Easter morning.

These challenges will demand fresh energy and the taking up of the torch by a new generation: none of us is getting any younger, after all!

That hope has inspired Christian people down the centuries, and it inspires us still.

It makes it possible to believe, with Mother Julian of Norwich,

But my prayer is that, as the Association undertakes new tasks and faces new challenges, its trustees, members and their families will be inspired by fresh hope and love… and the greatest of these is hope!

Nicholas Frayling Dean of Chichester

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Message from Nigel Heaps

Chairman

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t is with regret that the trustees he past year has been one of great have to inform the membership that change, the foundations of the John Lowe has resigned as BNTVA new organisation have been laid and Chairman with immediate effect. work is well underway to forge the infrastructure which will create an Under section 2 paragraph 17 (2) of Association able to provide a lasting the governing document the trustees legacy for our children and have appointed Nigel Heaps to be grandchildren.

Chairman of the Association subject to ratification at the AGM This achievement has come with a price, unfortunately John took the John Lowe difficult decision to stand down. I wish to thank John for all the have known John for many years — exceptional work he has given to the even before he became an Association, many times he was the Executive member. He has always ‘only man standing’ and without his worked hard for the Association and contribution we would not be in the has always been dedicated to the tasks amazing position we are today. I in hand. hope everything works for him and He stood up to be counted when the look forward to seeing John at the last Chairman walked out, holding the 2011 Conference.

Association together.

Having been asked to take up the Since he took up the reins the Association has moved from strength prestigious role of Chairman I can promise my complete determination to strength. Our position is better than it ever has been, both financially to realise the vision of my trustee colleagues. and in credibility.

T

I

He now finds it time to hand over the steering wheel to a younger group of members, to help the Association plan and build for the future.

The first change the Trustees and I are making is in attendance to the 2010 Conference. This year will be a landmark event; our main focus will be on organising for the future.

We hope that he can find time to attend our conference in 2011.

The trustees wish you John, all the best in the coming years Derek Heaps

We have a whole series of very challenging dynamic proposals to place before you, proposals that will change the direction and pace of the Association for all time.

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To ensure we maximise the exposure of this event please will all members make a special effort to attend.

At the end of the meeting I told my father I wanted to join and do something for the Association.

Non-Members will be able to observe the conference and learn what we are trying to achieve, and how we plan to do it. Whilst they will not be able to vote on any issue, it is our hope that they will be inspired to join the Association and possibly become active in building that future.

That was two years ago, since then I have served on the G2+ initiative, and after last year’s AGM I joined the management committee. I helped deliver the resoundingly successful national ballot to make the Association a Registered Charity, of which I am proud to say that I am a Trustee. I continue to work with the people you see sitting on the top table to shape and deliver our vision of the future.

Every person who attends as an observer and signs up for membership using the direct payment form, will receive a year free membership for 2010/2011.

If my father had not dragged me along I would not be here in the role Now is the time to bring a son, of Chairman, steering us forward. I daughter, grandchild or friend along. would not be here sharing something Let them see what we are achieving, with my father that could so easily and encourage them to become a part have passed me by. of your heritage.

Never before in the history of the Two years ago my father dragged me BNTVA has there been a more (somewhat reluctantly I might add) to critical time for us to introduce ‘New the AGM in Blackpool. I had met Blood’. some of the veterans many years before.

Join with us, and make the next two years secure the future of the next I was impressed that the level of twenty. determination, and camaraderie was undiminished by the intervening years. Will you bring your child, grandchild, As I watched the meeting I realised friend or colleague to the AGM, and something here was very important plan for the future? and precious, something that needed nurturing to enable it to grow, Nigel Heaps something which would link my father, his fellow veterans and their families with me and my family.

Nigel Heaps 7

Listen Very Carefully

I

shall say this only once!

Just in case you are wondering why such a start to my piece, it’s because I am a great fan of the B B C programme “Allo” “Allo” especially the leader of the “Resistance”. The phrase she always used to pass important information.

I intend to stand down as membership secretary at the 2011 AGM; this means that we will need to find a replacement for me. I have rationalised the Membership and issued new numbers to you all. That number was on the envelope containing the Sept .09 magazine.

You will find a standing order form with this magazine, to enable us to accurately issue membership cards.

You must use your new number.

Alrewas. The Memorial will help to inform future generations of our involvement in the protection of this Country and perhaps make them think about experiences and legacy endured.

I am also pleased to say that the majority of people I have been in contact with over the last years have always been a pleasure to deal with.

Bob Smith

Payments When any payment is sent to the BNTVA, cheques must only be made out to the BNTVA. We still receive cheques made out to individuals.

Standing order forms, payments over the counter at your bank (BACS), through PayPal, and on line banking must have your membership number and your name as reference. Without these details you will not receive your membership card, nor will your membership account be credited.

I have had a number of letters and telephone calls to tell me I have made a mistake with the membership number sent out. These are the correct ones and should be used in all correspondence, and on the standing order forms. To use any other will cause confusion to me, and whoever takes over in the future. Rationalising the system has taken a large amount of effort.

I enjoyed being the Scottish rep and Standard Bearer, and being the driving force behind the BNTVA Memorial at The National Arboretum

Please send any donations separately from your annual subscription via BACS, Paypal or on line banking Bank details for UK payments only HSBC plc Parliament Street York Bank account number:64259351 Bank Sort Code:40-47-31 Account Name: British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association Remember to use your name and membership number as your reference.

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Book this date in your diary Nominations and Proposals for consideration at the Conference & AGM 2010 Conference & AGM 2010 Saturday 24th April 2010

Nominations

Same venue as usual at the Paradise Room, Pleasure Beach, South Shore. Nominations for Officers and Blackpool.

Trustees must be received by the The meeting commences at 13.30 Secretary, on the correct form at least hrs, doors open for registration at 21 days before the AGM , each form 13.15 hrs . must be signed by the nominee, proposer and seconder, all of whom This year the AGM will only be the must be fully paid - up members of afternoon session. The evenings get the Association. ( Forms available together will be at the Parisienne from the Secretary) Hotel North Promenade (see Ad on page 9). Special rates for over night accommodation have been negotiated for those members wishing to stay in Proposals Blackpool.

The cost for Dinner Bed and Breakfast per person per night is £27.50.

Proposals for discussion at the AGM must be submitted in writing, and received by the secretary at least 21 days before the AGM..

A hotel booking form is included with this magazine. All bookings as soon as possible to the Secretary and not direct to the hotel, a deposit of £20 per person with the booking. Full payment due by the end of March.

It is required that the motion is completed with the name, membership number, and signature of both the proposer and seconder.

The proposer must also be present at the AGM in order that they may Evening Caberet is a feature at the ‘Parisienne’. All members are invited present the motion to the meeting. to come to the hotel during the evening of the 24th April starting at 20.00 hrs to meet for our usual social gathering and enjoy the Caberet.

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The Parisienne Hotel Blackpool Seafront Location Car/Coach Park Nightly Caberet Porterage Service

65 Ensuite bedrooms Choice Menus Lift to all floors Special Diets Catered For

Special Group Rates

Open all year

240- 244 North Promenade, Blackpool, FY11RZ 01253313414 Ext 2076 E Mail: lizevedon@tiffanyshotel.co.uk www.parisiennehotel.com

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Don James and his wife Christine began arranging the BNTVA presence at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in 1996.

Every year the BNTVA plot is tended by Don with great care and reverence. He maintains a list of all members of the BNTVA who have passed away, and ensures that their names are entered on the poppy crosses.

The attendance at the opening of the Field of Remembrance is becoming smaller as each year passes. In 2009 only a handful of members were able to attend.

BNTVA Group in the 1990’s 11

What is it to be a volunteer? ways. For gymnastics it is the joys of seeing a child reach their wish to thank John Lowe for all potential, even if their potential is his help in my research, and for to be able to walk on a beam without falling over. Medals of getting me involved in the course are a bonus, as every BNTVA. I am very aware that gymnast wants one! But knowing John has spent a considerable you have helped in someway is a amount of time travelling the reward in itself. The reward is also country to further the aims of the BNTVA. I hope now he can enjoy to be respected by the gymnasts I coach – in a nutshell, I motivate a peaceful retirement. the gymnasts and they motivate 2005 was the year of the volunteer me. I also consider myself very – it brought a smile to my face, as I fortunate to have the opportunity to work with equally dedicated had by then been a volunteer for volunteer coaches who freely give nearly ten years. up their time to benefit the community.

A volunteer according to the Cambridge online dictionary is: In regards to volunteering for the “to offer to do something that you BNTVA, the benefits to me are do not have to do, often without just as rewarding, if not more so: I having been asked to do it and or am part of an established without expecting payment.” In organisation who dedicates itself 2010, I face the wonderful to the welfare and remembrance of prospect of being a volunteer for fifteen years as a gymnastics coach, veterans who took part in the Cold and now nearly four years with the War, witnessing atomic and hydrogen detonations – a truly BNTVA. I know four years of heroic act, which will hopefully, volunteering my time for the never have to be repeated. An BNTVA is merely a honeymoon organisation who wants to ensure period compared to you as that the heroic deeds of nuclear veterans and your families. test veterans are never forgotten.

An organisation who also dedicates However, people I meet often look itself to the welfare of nuclear test at me with a telling look and ask, veterans’ families.

“What do I get out of all my volunteering”? It works in many

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As a historian I have been very lucky in being in contact with veterans who have brilliant memories, and who have researched my subject area – so my reward is also knowledge.

you, but what can you do for the BNTVA? Tracey Morris MA, BA hons.

BNTVA Trustee

RAFFLE/TOMBOLA

For my Masters thesis I researched the BNTVA’s early humble beginnings, and over the years, I have watched this organisation grow, despite many bumps on the way.

We raise funds to cover the cost of the AGM /Conference through the raffle.

In the last few years the BNTVA has achieved so much, particularly in regards to obtaining charity status.

Please could everyone sort out their unwanted Christmas/Birthday presents or gifts; gift vouchers.

It is the dedication of fellow volunteers that keeps the BNTVA going.

You could also sort out your drinks cabinet and bring them along to the AGM.

Volunteers, who often put their time to the BNTVA above and beyond the quality time they could spend with their loved ones.

If we have enough prizes we will also run a tombola .

So, please spare a thought at the AGM, for your fellow comrades who are trustees: Jeff Liddiatt, Derek Heaps, Bob Smith, Doug Hern, Trevor Butler; Don James and Nicholas Frayling, who give such a lot without ever expecting a thank you— the same can be said for Nigel Heaps, Carol Longden and Ian Greenhalgh, and who will continue to do so willingly.

We all must play our part — to paraphrase the late John F Kennedy:

We would like to see as many of veterans and their families as possible having a chance to win a decent prize.

If you cannot attend the AGM and would still like to donate a raffle prize please contact the Secretary or me (details at the end of the magazine) Do you know of, or have contact with, a company willing to donate a raffle prize?

Let’s work to make this the biggest raffle yet - its for a brilliant cause!!

Tracey Morris

ask not what the BNTVA can do for 13

Letter to the Association and the Editor Hello Sirs

If any would like to get in contact with me, my telephone number is 01795 428942.

I am a 44-year old man living in the UK. I have just read a book called 'The Call Up ' which is a fascinating history of National Service in this country. A section near the end of the book describes how some servicemen were deployed at the sites of the British nuclear testing in Australia and the Pacific, detailing the British government's callous disregard for the safety of the personnel, and some of the alleged health problems that resulted.

Perhaps we could organise a get together .

C F Barker.

News from around the UK Roddy Moffat writes from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.

I carry the BNTVA Scotland Standard at many ceremonies around the Island.

A special one is at the RAF Memorial outside Stornoway Airport, which was used by the RAF for operations I just wanted to say I am horrified and in WW2. I also attend the sickened by the cavalier attitude of remembrance parade at the village the British government. I thought this memorial and the BNTVA memorial. sort of abuse only went on in places The wreaths from the village like China, North Korea, or Burma memorial are placed on the BNTVA but sadly not. I feel ashamed to be memorial after the service.

British.

Marilyn Hall from the East Midlands I send my sincere good wishes to all writes — Just a quick note to tell you the veterans of those nuclear tests and that we are still meeting in the East to their families. I haven't got any Midlands, although not regularly. more to say except that I am stunned, and I stand in solidarity with you all. One of our members Fred Southwood has had a book published about his Best wishes years in the RAF Police entitled “The Phil Hadley, Wandering Snowdrop” If anyone Hertfordshire would like a copy please contact Fred on 01572 737443 Dear Jeff Thank you for our chat yesterday.

Norman Aplin from Portsmouth You mentioned that there are other writes — I write to tell you about the members of the BNTVA in the funeral of Dermot Swaine. His funeral Maidstone and Chatham area. was held in Portsmouth in October 14

Stornoway Parade November 2009

Portsmouth Cathedral October 2009

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2009. By request of his widow After the Island Bobbie, in lieu of flowers, donations should be given to the newly formed fter being released from military BNTVA Charity, £200 was raised. service in October 1959. I Maybe in his death Dermot has shown resumed my occupation as a quantity the way for us all to continue to surveyor and after a few years I left support BNTVA with a legacy. my job to ‘go it alone’.

A

We still meet monthly at the ExServiceman’s Club in Fratton, and our standard bearer regularly represents the BNTVA at local parades (he keeps in practice as a lollypop man) Some of us are looking forward to attending the AGM.

At first I was very busy but it wasn’t to last. The economic downturn of the late 60’s and early 70’s badly affected the building industry.

Ron Taylor 0191 4147886

I was discharged on medical grounds with a pension.

To fill my time I decided to write a book about Christmas Island and ion particular of the nuclear testing that Where are they Now took place. However work improved so unfortunately the book was never Ron Taylor is looking for all those finished, from the research I’d who were in main camp stores 73 Christmas Island Squadron 1958. He undertaken it was going to be very revealing. remembers some names, but ‘Anno Domini’ has taken its toll. Gerry After witnessing the testing of five Woods Bridgend, Jimmy Mackie Kikcaldy, Anthony Judge - Yorkshire, nuclear devices things went badly wrong with my health and early in and Tony Thurman electrical storeman, unit CO Captain Rawlings 1959 I was brought back to the UK for an operation at Millfield Hospital.

(I think)

How can I contact some of my buddies who were on Xmas Island with me in 1958 during H bomb testing?

E & M troop 73 (xmas island sqn) RE Regards Keith Walmsley Tel 01772 722853 Mob 07775 584026

After a series of heart attacks and skin cancer, I am still around to count my blessings. After all I am 75, thanks to Lady Luck?

Tony Judge Ex 73 Christmas Island Squadron

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Dear Secretary I have never been much good at composing letters and I find now at the age of 81, it is even more difficult. Dates are particularly difficult. I think we left Heathrow in March 1958.

The first thing that comes to mind is, when we tried to buy some cigarettes on the aircraft we were told that they were locked in the hold.

Our next stop was San Francisco a coach had been laid on for a city tour but two SNCO’s and I hired a cab and ended up in the Three Veterans Bar, we were late back to the airport!

Hawaii next stop, then on to the Island as Moonies. I was SNCO in charge of the Flying Clothing Section.

Having been present at all the 1958 tests. It was welcome news when I heard we were coming home on the SS captain Cook.

On arrival at Idlewild Airport the smokers amongst us immediately looked for cigarettes. Here I had the pleasure of meeting Pat Boone and his Harry Spires marked with X wife.

Flying Clothing Section 1958

X

SS Captain Cook 17

The following letter was published in The East Anglian times February 20 2010 Dear Editor, While based at RAF Honington in 1956, which was then an airfield for Canberra bombers, I got my marching orders for Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean to take part in the nuclear tests.

At Southampton about 24 of us RAF chaps, a large number of army personnel and a few Royal Marines boarded the SS Charlton Star, a tramp steamer being used as a troop ship, and on it’s last voyage. There was no airfield on the island at that time.

and Greeks on the upper decks, and the food was terrible.

As we approached the Caribbean we were told to sunbathe in stages: half an hour for two days, an hour the next two days, etc., until we were acclimatised.

Of course some of the chaps said "we don't burn, we always go brown". The result was many of them suffered severe burns and were hospitalised in the ship's sick bay.

We sailed through Panama Canal and then made our way to Honolulu in the Hawaiian Islands. We were given 24 hours ashore, we first made our way to restaurants. A pound was worth three dollars then so we were quite well off, and being regulars our pay was much better than National Service pay.

We'd only been on board a couple of hours when the Senior Military Officer made us all disembark to nearby service camps, as the ship was There were many restaurants offering infested with bed bugs and "eat as much as you like for a dollar." cockroaches. The ship was then As we were all pretty hungry after the fumigated, which took the rest of the awful food on the ship, we soon day, and we were then allowed on nearly cleared the restaurants of all board the next day and sailed twenty they had to eat. The food on offer was four hours late. only what we'd seen in American films at the time, large steaks and Our first port of call was the Azores, exotic fruits, etc. and as the ship rolled terribly and there was a smell of diesel oil It took about a week to sail from throughout the lower decks, many of Honolulu to Christmas Island, and us were violently sea sick, myself there being no docks we anchored out included. at sea and the Royal Marines came out in landing craft to transfer us from The crew comprised of Asians in the the ship to the beach. engine room, 18

With waves about twenty feet high, There was no hot or fresh water on the we had to wait until the landing craft island for washing and showering, came up on the top of a wave and and with windy days blowing coral jump down with our kit. If we missed dust into the pores of our skin, after the timing it was a nasty drop! washing in sea water for all that time much of the apparent sun burn was I spent about two years on the island, false! by which time a runway had been constructed, so we were able to board Roger Fleming, transport planes to make our way Alphamstone. home via Honolulu, San Francisco, Chicago and New York, spending about a day at each place sight-seeing.

Although we appeared as brown as a berry, after our first hot shower much of the suntan washed off.

SS Charlton Star 19

BNTVA Contact details Registered Charity Number 1131134

Please do not telephone any of the Outside the following hours

Not Before 09.00 or after 20.00 National Chairman Nigel Heaps 8 Castle Hill Castle Donnington Derbyshire DE74 2LD Tel: 0115 7140768 Skype nigel.heaps Email: chairman @bntva.com National Vice Chairman Derek Heaps 4 Bakewell Drive Castle Donnington Derby DE74 2NF Tel:/Fax: 0133 281 1429 email derek.heaps@homecall.co.uk

Chaplain The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling BA, LLD Dean of Chichester The Deanery, Canon Lane, Chichester West Sussex PO19 1PX email dean@chichestercathedral.org.uk BNTVA Solicitor Ian Greenhalgh LLB Olympic House Maple Court Maple View Skelmersdale WN8 9TW Tel: 0333 200 5200 email ian.greenhalgh@greenhalghs.net

National Secretary Jeff Liddiatt 13 Wetlands Lane Portishead Bristol BS20 6RA Tel 01275 848965 e-mail: secretary@bntva.com

Shop Manager Trevor Butler 75 Woldcarr Road Hull Humberside HU3 6TR Tel: 01482 571 431 Fax: 01482 569 241

National Treasurer (PHONE ONLY BETWEEN 6.00 – 8.00 pm) Mrs Carol Longden 2 Fossland View, Middlecroft Drive Strensall York YO32 5RH Tel 01904 492 875

Media and Archive contact Doug Hern 36 Bell Lane Moulton Spalding PE12 6PH Tel 01406 371134 email doughern@tiscali.co.uk

National Membership Secretary Membership fees , Data Controller Bob Smith, 11 Holyknowe Crescent Lennoxtown Glasgow G66 7DY Tel: 01360 311 300 email: membership@bntva.com

Mrs Tracey Morris 79 Mill Road Deal Kent CT14 9BA Tel: 01304 364726 e mail tm269@st-andrews.ac.uk

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London Events Organiser Don James Flat 8a, Peabody Estate, Abbey Orchard Street, Westminster London SW1 2LJ Tel 0207 799 6054

BNTVA Shop Window

CAMPAIGN Editor and Web Manager As Secretary National Standard Bearer Terry Washington ‘Little Hey’ 8 Butley Close Tytherington Macclesfield SK10 2HL Tel: 01625 425 970 Widows’s Contact Mavis Gardner 30 Link Road Anstey Leicester LE7 7BY Tel:/Fax: 01162 364 737

BNTVA SHOP MANAGER Trevor Butler 75 Woldcarr Road Hull Humberside HU3 6TR Tel: 01482 571 431 Fax: 01482 569 241 Badges Car Blazer Lapel

3.00 12.00 3.00

Small Medium Large Ex Large

12.50 12.50 12.50 12.50

BNTVA Grapple

7.50 9.50 22.00 11.00 3.00 5.50

Shirts

G2+ Committee Secretary Janet Bird Members/Advisors Tracey Morris Nigel Heaps Owen Stevens Carol Longden

Ties

Fleece Baseball Caps Blue only Key Fobs Cuff links (pair) Tie Pins Blue SOLD OUT discontinued Campaign magazine is published by the British Nuclear Tests BNTVA 3.50 Veterans Association. Editor: Jeff Liddiatt, 13 Wetlands Lane, BNTVA 3.00 Portishead, Bristol BS20 6RA. Tel: 01275 848965. Next issue copy Lapel Badges Deadline 22 May 2010. BNTVA is not an anti-nuclear or an anti-war Scarf woollen BNTVA 12.00 association. All opinions, views and quotations do not represent official BNTVA policy and are the sole responsibility of the writer. Scarf silk effect BNTVA 13.00 Copyright of owner acknowledged.

Photographs and images – Engraved Tankard 20.00 Campaign cannot guarantee total accuracy for any reproduction of letters / articles / transcripts. BNTVA is a ‘not for profit’ voluntary Association supporting past and present UK Nuclear Test Combined Service Veterans and their families.

All prices include Post & Packing 21

For sale: RAF Balloon Unit Blazer Badge Never used.

Quality Gold Wire ÂŁ25.00 free p/p Revd John Walden 11 Hemmings Close Norwich NR5 9EH 22

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This important medal is a joint commission between the Australian and British Nuclear Veterans Associations providing medallic recognition to veterans who served in nuclear test site locations and supporting bases in Australia and the Pacific between 1952 and 1967.

Next of kin or direct descendants can also apply.

The obverse of the medal depicts the nuclear symbol surrounded by the words 'British Nuclear Weapons Tests in Australia & Pacific' and the reverse dramatically features a detonation cloud and the words 'For Service in Radioactive Areas 1952-1967'. The ribbon is white on the edges representing the blinding white flash that comes before the fireball and then subsides to the fireball which has the reddish fire in the centre and becomes the familiar mushroom shape.

An easy care 100% polyester navy blue tie has been tastefully designed with stripes matching the ribbon colours and bears an authenticating label on the reverse.

For further information and/or an application form contact Award Productions Ltd, (Dept. NNL) PO Box 300, Shrewsbury SY5 6WP, U.K. Tel: 01952 510053 Fax: 01952 510765 E-mail: award@crown-lane.co.uk

The Australian Nuclear Veterans Association and the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association are the beneficiaries of this project.

www.awardmedals.com 24