Christmas 1993

Special Christmas Edition ^r\

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THE dedication and bless­ ing of the Welsh Standard and Memorial Stone at Risca took place in June.

Pictured above are BNT-

VA'S Vice-chairman Peter Fletcher, the Right Hon Neil Kinnock and John McFarland, District Manager of the Co-Op.

A full report of this event appears inside on pages 2 and 3. plus lot's more news from around the globe.

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Fruits of hard labour finally

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BY PETER FLETCHER

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WO of the highlights of 1993 within our ranks were the services to dedi­ cate Standard's ad unveil our memorial Stone.

Our Scottish service was reported in our Easter magazine so here I report on the Welsh service.

Work began on the Welsh Service almost immediately after the Scottish service was completed.

Canon Nicholas Frayling, the Rt.Hon Neil Kinnock and Peter Fletcher

\i»tiici:i> rn tmims m» irv imc ti iiks Edwards, the Regional Director in Wales, who kindly organised the donation of the stone. He put me in contact with Mr John MacFarland, the Gwent Area manager, and W M Baulch, the funeral director in Risca who provided and laid the stone. Our deepest thanks go out to these gen­ tlemen.

Next - where could we lay the stone?

My dear right hand man, Chris Rowlands, and myself travelled to Risca to sort things out and following meetings, many letters and many phone calls, we finally got the bless­ ing to lay our stone adjacent to the War memorial in Risca.

I must stress here and now that

none of this would have been pos­ sible without our man on the soot.

John Wheeler of Risca (Royal Navy at Monte Bello 1952). who despite his own Illness, worked non-stop to make the whole event the memo­ rable success It was.

The date was set - June 12th, 1993.

The church was arranged - St Mary's Parish Church, Risca. The vicar in Risca, Rev. Richard Pain, along with our own Canon Nicholas Frayling, organised the services. Church lead­ ers present were: The Venerable Keith Tyte, Archdeacon of Newport, who blessed and dedicated the stan­ dard; the Rev. Father Eric Willett, Dean of Newport and North Gwent; the Rev. Brian Russell of the

Methodist Church; introduction and prayers by Rev.Richard Pain; and Canon Nicholas Frayling gave his usual strong sermon.

Following the dedication of the Standard, we marched to the Cenotaph led by the Borough of Newport pipe and drum band accom­ panied by a contingent of Army cadets, air cadets and many, many standards and their bearers.

The Memorial Stone was unveiled by the Rt.Hon Neil Kinnock and it was my privilege to read out the mes­ sages of goodwill from Her majesty The Queen, Lord Ashley of Stoke, C.H.; and Lord Parry of Nayland. I received a letter from The Vatican saying his Holiness The Pope had received my letter too late to reply in time for June 12. After the service we marched to Risca Working Mens Club where we had arranged a buffet.

We ended the afternoon with the usual speeches and a vote of thanks to all who had attended or con­ tributed to a sad but lovely day.

In closing, John Wheeler presented Mr Kinnock with one of our Association plaques. In church the lessons were read by Mrs Joan Day of Cardiff and John Wheeler of Risca.

In attendance on the day were the Worshipful Mayor of Newport and her Consort, the Mayor and Mayoress of Risca, Mr David Morris, European Member of Parliament for Gwent among many other local dignitaries.

Our thanks go to our Standard Bearers who travelled long distances to attend - Albert'Nobby' Clarke from Birmingham with the National Standard, Dave Riley from Portsmouth, Bob Smith from Glasgow and Harry Hoult from Liverpool.

John Wheeler with the Rt.Hon Neil Kinnock

Our thanks also to St John Ambulance who attended, especially the lady who took me to and from the Cenotaph in a wheelchair. Indeed it is thank you very much to everyone who attended with special mention again to Chris Rowlands, John Wheeler and Canon Frayling, who made the day possible.

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News from around the branches Merseyside branch HE branch has once again had another good year with a further membership. in increase Parachuting is getting to be very popular among the branch members. After Andy Anderson’s effort we now have Fred Horn having a go. Incidentally, Andy went to see some of his former Fijian pals from Christmas island in Fiji would yu believe.

What he told me about living standards there was very sad. See his full report on Page 5.

John Towney has not been too well, but it is now nice to have him back with us.

Peter Fletcher, Terry Mercer, Syd Harris and myself attended Risca, South Wales,

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for another double dedication Standard and Stone. Canon Nicholas Frayling, of course, was at the service and as usua did us proud. The Right Hon.Neil Kinnock unveiled the stone and delivered an excel­ lent address.

The next event for the branch was the Anniversary Service on Sunday, October 3, against conducted by Canon Nicholas Frayling.

The Mercantile Chapel of Liverpool Parish Church was dedicated during the period of the Battle of the Atlantic anniver­ sary. I was invited along on behalf of the Association and it was a very fitting memorial to those brave men. The

Merseyside branch raised nearly £500 towards it with donations from members outside the aea also helping.

Next trip for Peter and myself is to Leicester in November for the dedication of another Memorial. Finally, if you served in the RAOC and would like to join the Corps Association, please get in touch with me and I will put you in contact with your local rep. The Corps disbanded, but not the Association.

On behalf of the branch, have a peaceful Christmas and an excellent 1994.

ladies for taking the trouble to contact me.

I am sure there are many widows missing out on a pension through not appying.

Ladies, make sure you apply - it is your right.

I have been invited to join the committee of the War Widows Association and having met the chairlady twice I am sure we can gain a lot more information to help us so I

am accepting.

Anyone can join the War Widows Association. It is not expensive - just £5 for life membership and 50p to join. The address if you wish to join is Mrs Murphy, Hon Secretary, 52 West Street, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 4AF. Mrs Mavis Gardner

is adament that the onus s on the doc­ tor to fully inform his patient before the operation. Consent can only be valid if three criteria are satisfid - a person must be able to understand the impli­ cations of the treatment; have suffi­ cient information to make an informed choice; and consent to the operation without duress.

A patient who feels that they were not sufficiently informed before surgery could sue the doctor. You wuld have to prove who had suffered adverse effects from surgery and that you would not have consented if you had known the outcome.

The Director of the Patients Association says patients ned to assert their rights. The model consent form now promoted by the Department of Health allows you to state if yo do not wish to have any intervention other than the operation you have agreed to.

Many GP's are worried that patients are not told about operations they may have until shortly before they are wheeled into the operating theatre.

The fact that many surgeons delegate consent forms:" to joverworked junior

staff, may also conspire against the patient.

Junior staff may be poorly informed themselves about non-surgical alterna­ tives. A patient can insist on seeing a more senior doctor to discuss the operation or ask for more time to think about it. You are not making a nui­ sance of yourself by asking questions or wanting time to consider alterna­ tives.

There is a strong argument for seek­ ing information rom other sources such as your GP, Self Help groups or books before committing yourself to the blade.

But it must be remembered that noone can be prepared for every possible surgical contingency. In an emer­ gency, say a ruptured spleen after a road accident, you would not want the surgeon to hang around waiting for you to regain consciousness so you could sign the consent form.

(Taken in part from a report in The Guardian) Bobby Brewster

Chris Rowlands

North East branch

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HERE has been a good response to my article in the last issue of the mag­ azine and by taking the advice therein some widows have been awarded a pen­ sion. I have received many lovely letters and phone calls of appreciation for what we qare doing.

Through this issue I would like to thank the

Southampton branch HOSE body is it anyway? Many years ago at a meeting in London, a veteran told me that he was admitted to hospital for a spe­ cific operation and found that some­ thing else had been done to him as well. Just recently this tpic has made headlines. A surgeon who terminated a womans pregnancy without her con­ sent may face legal prosecution. This made me think of the veteran again.

Such cases highlight serious concern about surgical consent forms. Sign such a form withoutb reading the small print and you may emper the surgeon to do whatever he or she feels neces­ sary. So how confident can patients be about what can happen when they are anaesthetised?

The British Medical Association insists: "Peope should be re-assured that doctors will stick to the limits of the consent form, Doctors are accountable to their peers and the rule of the land."

If they are challenged they could be struck off or even imprisoned for negli­ gence or assault. Dr Gerard Panting of the Medical/Legal Advice for Doctors,

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mm ^ otice 0 BOARD

T TERE'S a plea to anyone who served on XJLhmS Narvik between 1957-58. It comes from Mrs Suzanne Talbot of 48 Forgeway, Banbury, Oxen, 0X16 7QS, who would like to hear from anyone who knew her loving brother Peter Hatfield.

Peter got married in March. 1963, but sadly he died in September of the same year from cancer of the lymph glands. If you can help please drop Mrs Talbot a line.

AyTRS June Charney writes to say her late -Lv Xhusband, Wing Commander K L Charney, DFC, did a four year tour on Christmas Island and she has a silver ciga­ rette box which was presented to him and signed by a number of people. These arc the one's she can identify: F C Ycldeal, Peter Shirlaw, F White, E M Parry, John Winthrop, Freddie Manihall, Peter Craft, K Payne, Mike Hall-Smith, A Campbell, Allen Mears, Chris Farrier, Derek Ely, M J Porter, D B Pyles, R H Allen and Adrian Ja....

She would like to hear from any of the above names or indeed anyone who served with her late husband. Please write c/o Peter Fletcher, who will forward all letters.

ERNIE Shaw, 94Freeman Road, Didcot, Oxon. 0X11 7DB, was at RAF Fireman on Christmas Island 1956-57. mainly in Port Camp, but sometimes in Main Camp. He would like to hear from old pals so drop him a line at the above address.

U EMEMBRANCE DAY service and march JK.past at The Cenotaph, Whitehall, London.

A directive from the Royal British Legion states that war widows can now attend and take part in the parade if they wish.

In the past only ladies who were ex-Service, were permitted to attend. This year Peter Fletcher tells us that 60 tickets have been ordered for our membership and all of them have been taken.

TTAVEyou ever sat back and thought what JLXit costs to produce your BNTVA maga­ zine. No! Well, we can tell you it's a lot of money and a lot of time as well.

The question is: How do we do it? Well, it is thanks to Mr Peter Wylde who runs our lot­ tery. He funds it all so on behalf of our mem­ bers I would like to say a sincere thanks.

The thing is what can we do in return?

Perhaps you could ring or write to our own Ken and Pam Taylor and ask for lottery tick­ ets to sell or get some advice on how to become an agent selling lottery tickets. Remember, Help Them to Help Us. Ken can be reached at 56 Eastbourne Road, Stratford, London E15 (081-555-2644) or contact the Lottery Office on FREEPHONE 0800-526-408. rpOMMY Masterson of 42 Russficld JL Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin 24, writes to say that he attended the Annual General Meeting in Blackpool this year for the very first time and made many new friends.

He adds that he thoroughly enjoyed his week­ end, but was disappointed not to meet any of his old friends. So he has sent us two pho­ tographs which may stir a few memories.

The two pictures submitted by Tommy Masterson

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The first (at the top of the page) is the official picture of the 511 Squadron, Transport Command Support Group, Edinburgh Fields, Australia, 1957. Names he recalls are: LAC "Chitty" Hill, J T Roy Pawson, Sgt Mott, F/O Delaney, Fit Sgt "Rab" R A Butler, LAC Peter Neale, P O’Leary (Dublin), P O'Leary (Cork).

The other picture shows the Support Group football team, winners of the Woomcra Trophy presented by the Dc Havilland Aircraft Company. Tommy is front row left (kneeling) and he recalls that the captain, seen holding the trophy, was a Geordie and three or four other members of the side were also Gcordies. Write if you can shed any light.

ERT Goble, 110 Cokeham Lane. Lancing, West Sussex, was with 59 Airfield Construction squadron. Royal Engineers.

Christmas island 1957-58. He would like to hear from anyone who served with him. Bert is try-

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ing to write a book about the 59 Airfield Squadron on its Christmas Island tour of duty. i NOTHER appeal comes from Bob Aslctt, XJL17 The Green, Littlcham, Exmouth, Devon EX8 2QP. He served in the Royal Engineers on Christmas Island (Grapple) and was in the main camp workshops as a mechan­ ic. He would like to hear from old mates and he recalls the following: Keith (Yorky) Bannister, Keith CIceve, John (Ginger) Calvert and Gerry Legge. He recalls that Gerry had a nasty accident and was flown home for treatment.

"TXANNY Lee from Bridport in Dorset writes .L/to publically thank Mrs Bobbie Brewster for all the w'ork she did to organise the trip and re­ union of Royal Engineers in Marchwood, Southampton, and the lunch afterwards. Danny says he speaks for everyone who attended and who had a great day.

NOTICE BOARD T TERE are two poems that will touch the heart jLLstrings. The first was written by Bill (Paddy) Gaul - 4199978. Tent G18. and it is enti­ tled "Christmas Island 57/58 Grapples X&Y".

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/ once sat under a coconut tree, watching a dragonfly dance, The sun beat down pitilessly as I dreamed on in a trance.

I once sat under a coconut tree with men of the Gilbert Isles Remembering them always for their innocent, perpetual smiles Twice I sat under a coconut tree, with a thousand amenable men Afraid that things might go wrong, when the countdown started on ten Ten. Nine. Eight, Seven. Six. Five, Four. Three, Two, One The Victor climbs, the bomb has gone Dark glasses cover our eyes, anxious hands the glasses Deathly silence, desperate tension, the flash sweeps over the masses Heat is upon us in a trice, link arms mates before the blast l wish myself away and distant, moments later all has passed l turn to view a mushroom cloud, spread omi­ nously towards the sun I gasp aloud in awe and wonder, Thank God it's over and done Deaths and Deformities followed, a high price has been paid And the only crime they're guilty of, was that sim­ ply they obeyed For the men passed on and the pien left behind, Til pray on my knees That the reposed are in God's house, and those left may their burdens ease.

ABOVE: Four old mates meet up at the annual general meeting in Blackpool this year - (left to right) Peter Bennett, Bernie Sheen, Mike Reid and Laurie Yeo of the 94 Company RASC, Christmas Island 1958-59.

We live for the moment and live for the day The second poem is submitted by Muriel When someone with a conscience will openly McCormach (West Midlands) and she wrote it say in 1985, just three months after her husband "We did you wrong, so now let's put it right Ken (REME - Monte Bello 1952) died.

You all put up one hell of a fight We can't go on living a lie The bomb had to be tested, it had to be tried Knowing your loved one's have had to die."

No-one cared who lived or died X yTRS Pauline Taylor has applied for a penNow thirty and more years on, the hell and the IVAsion, but things are held up because of "lost trauma for families goes on records". Pauline says her husband often spoke The sickness, frustration, Oh Lord what more of The Test, Australia and three ships can I do?

Give me the strength to see another day through Hurricane, Zeebrugge and Narvik. Put two and Our loved one's are dying, but no Government two together, he served at Monte Bello in 1952, cares Operation Hurricane as officers cook. Alexandre There was "no risk" they loudly cry, 'Sandy' Taylor - Pauline says he was a Scotsman.

We who have seen the suffering know Did you serve with or know Sandy? Please con­ it’s a lie tact Peter Fletcher. Pauline is almost certain his Why do our loved one's have to die ship was the Zeebrugge.

TTappy news! Our dear friend the Very JLXReverend David Stancliffe, Provost of Portsmouth, is to be consecrated Bishop of Salisbury in Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, November 30.

David has kindly invited Peter Fletcher and his wife Hilda to the service and to have lunch afterwards. On behalf of the BNTVA he is honoured to accept and we know everyone will all wish David and his family every happiness in his new and important position. Our people in Portsmouth will miss him.

T AWRENCE Dcvcrall, Operation Buffalo at J—/Maralinga, RAF. takes his appeal to the High Court later this year and would like to hear from Buffalo veterans. Please write to him at Box 49 Diamond City, Alberta TOK OTO Canada j^JANY thanks “w . , to veteran P B Bosson of Whitchurch, Shropshire, who did a Bungee Jump and was sponsored to the tunc of £100 by his garage customers and friends.

Well done to a real high flier.

ABOVE: More members of the RASC at Christmas Island in 1959 They are Harry Napier, Frank McCarthy, Geordie Stokoe, Taffy Hargreaves and "Sarge" Hollingsworth.

The Editor and his staff would like to wish all BNTVA members a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Peter Fletcher points out that anting this piece he refers ma,n|yt0 Army personnel

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0 the best of my very limited knowledge, in days of old a ser­ viceman would be given an over­ seas posting and if he was married, he could apply for his wife and children to join him, be allocated married quarters and live happily as a family whilst still serving his country and tour of duty. ir his request was granted, his wire and family would be transported by sea or by air to join him. In some cases, his wife and family would accompany him to his new posting.

At 16.15hours on january 30,1957, the Troopship M.V.Dunera sailed from Berth 30 at Southampton Docks.

Destination - Christmas Island.

She was carrying personnel of 38 Field Regiment RE, who were to relieve per­ sonnel of 25 Field Regiment RE, who had now' completed their tour of duty.

This cruise was no holiday for women who were sent out service wives? Is this story fiction?

However, also on board The Dunera, as revealed by the passenger list, were the names of 28 ladies, the wives of members of 25 Field Regiment RE. They were to sail to Christmas Island (they did not go ashore there) and remained on board whilst troops were disembarked. They then greeted their husbands as they embarked to return to the United Kingdom, arriving back in Southampton on March 12,1958.

However, I have yet to meet or speak to anyone whose wife was one of those 28 ladies or speak to any of the ladies who made the journey.

Are you still out there? If so, I would

Did the Ministry of Defence at that time really provide a ten week cruise for 28

Memories revived...

The Assignment - A Trip Down Memory Lane, McMullen Barracks, Marchwood, Southampton.

■Memories may escape the action of the will, may sleep a long time, but when stirred by the right influence, though that influence be as light as a shadow, they flash into full stature and life with everything in place (John Muir).

VETERANS of the 1950's, wives, widows were given a very warm wel­ come on the Wednesday morning of 18th August 1993. Commanding Officer Lt.Col Mike Bowles, MBE, RLC (whom we did not meet), put us in the care of his adjutant Captain Mike Robertshawe, who had organ­ ised a marvellous programme.

On arrival we were greeted by a civilian police woman at the M.O.D. police hut (on seeing her some wag said: Cor blimey what a smasher.

Shame we didnl have any in our time.').

We noticed a very large blackboard with the words 'Christmas Island Veterans.* The instructions were read and we were whisked away in a coach. We were met at R.H.Q. by 2.I.C. Major A M Speight. PLO Major H F R Mason and coffee was served, pleasantries exchanged.

We all sat down for a talk on a brief history and slide show of MMP by Major Mason and a brief and slide show on the regiment today.

Everyone was immediately interest­ ed. Then, to our delight, Lt.Col David McLellan, gave an informal chat and slide show of his recollections of

I doubt it because I have met and spoken to men who recall sailing to Christmas Island on board The Dunera with the 28 aforementioned ladies also on board.

Christmas Island. It was informative and very humourous. I can see why his men said he was 'an officer and a gentleman*.

Before we left for the tour of the Port and the rest of the camp, we thanked the officers and presented a keepsake - a framed picture to Major Speight of an H-Bomb (the men had signed the back of it), to be hung somewhere within the camp.

Amongst the veterans who had not been back to Marchwood since the 1950’s were A.V.M . W.E. and Mrs Oulton, Major and Mrs John Downes, and not forgetting Major Ralph Thompson's wife. All were officers together with David McLellan on Christmas Island. Before we knew it, we were back at the Convoy Assembly area. The time 12.30. We all formed a convoy of cars and our destination was the local Working men's Club where drink and lunch was available. We also had the chance to view a video provided by A.V.M. Oulton. It was ri vetting.

Before everyone departed, we pre­ sented framed pictures to A.V.M. Oulton. Lt.Col McLellan and Major

Downes. Friendships were renewed, memories recalled and a new repre­ sentative found. All in al a glorious day.

POSTSCRIPT: When we gathered at RHQ, we were told a book had just been published, Megaton Mornings by Charles Hall. It's about the American series on C.l. in the 1960's and we could obtain a copy there. I thought then how times had changed....one officer didnl even know about Operation Grapple. I was amazed. He is about the same age as my eldest son, so maybe he could be forgiven. The good thing was that he had now been educated about it and had the pleasure of shaking hands with the Task Force Commander of Operation Grapple.

My thanks to Lt.Col Mike Bowles and his band of officers for making it such a memorable day and not forgetting my M.P., Michael Colvin, for his help as it was he who I turned to when I lost all my contacts at McMullen barracks since I worked at the Royal Engineers diving estab­ lishment...

Peter Fletcher A

Your Xmas message

LAST Christmas I wrote about hope and the diffi­ culty of keeping hope alive in difficult days. As I write this year s message to all members of the BNTVA and your families, the difficulties are. if anything, even sharper.

The world scene looks particularly grim, with the agony of Bosnia, the appalling conditions in parts of Africa, and fresh horrors in Northern Ireland • within our own United Kingdom • almost daily.

For you. the news is not good either with still fur­ ther delay in the publication of the NRPB Report.

Yet somehow we manage to keep up the strug­ gle. with a degree of good humour and warmth that I find a constant inspiration. I have met many more members this past year, in Paisley and Risca. both memorable and moving occasions.

Christmas is the season when God • if we do not squeeze him out • has a special word for us. It is to be found in the best-loved carol of all ( Once in Royal..."): And He feeleth for our sadness. And He shareth in our gladness. That means that, in Jesus, there is no part of our human experience that God has not shared and does not under­ stand. That is why Christmas is such a very per­ sonal time for those who have the gift of faith.

I take this opportunity to send my prayers and good wishes to you and yours this Christmas and in the coming year.

Canon Nicholas Fraylmg Liverpool Parish Church

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Below are the contents of the letter Peter Fletcher received from Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of the Welsh Service at Risca in June.

Peter G Fletcher Vice Chairman British Nuclear Test Veterans Association The Queen has commanded me to send her warm thanks to you and the mem­ bers of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association for your kind message of loyalty, sent on the occasion of your service in Risca, Wales.

Her Majesty was delighted to receive this message and sends her best wishes to you all for a very memorable occa­ sion.

EQUERKY-IN-WAITING

Pith June 1993

Notice about the annual meeting NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (1192) will be held on Saturday 30th April, 1.30pm.

The venue for this meeting is The Horseshoe Bar, Blackpool, and admission to the said meet­ ing is by current Membership Card.

Election of Officers and Exec/ Cttee All current officers and mem­ bers of the Executive Committee are standing for re-election.

Nominations for election should be in the hands of the Association Secretary Twenty

NOTICE TO MEMBERS One clear days before the annual general meeting.

Proposed and seconded

Address for nominations and proposals: Mr D Heaps, 4 Bakewell Drive, Castle Donnington, Derby.

Signed for and on behalf of the Association by Mr Peter Fletcher, Vice-Chairman.

Dated: 1/12/1993

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Andy goes to Fiji and meets two old pals

ANDY Anderson of Runcorn (Christmas island RE), often wondered what happened to the Fijian Army lads who served on Christmas Island with him in 1958-59.

So in June this year he travelled to Fiji and, on arrival, he made some inquiries and within two days he was put in contact with and met his old friend Benny Silatoli, who he immediately recognised even though they hadn't seen each other for 34 years.

He also met Josefa Ramacake who was a Sergeant Major in the Fijian Army. They exchanged gifts and Andy presented both of them with a BNTVA plaque which our Merseyside branch had donated. He also passed on copies of our magazines and a video tape of "Despatches" which shows Ken McGinley's return to Christmas island.

Andy learned that 80% of the Fijian contingent on Christmas Island were now sadly dead - the main prob­ lem being cancers, heart and respiratory disease and some with stomach problems.

Fiji is now a Republic so what does this mean? It means the sick veterans, and the widows of veterans now cannot no claim for pensions from their own Government nor the British Government who they served in 1958-59. WHAT GROSS INJUSTICE! Is it any wonder those men and the widows feel pangs of bitter­ ness towards both Government's.

Andy goes onto say he visited Benny's village and part of the journey was over a river in a small canoe which had to be punted across. He said: "My hands were stiff and sore through gripping the sides of the canoe. I was convinced we would overturn and I would be gobbled up by some large river creature.

"A recent hurricane had caused havoc and we had to wade through mounds of thick mud to reach Benny's home in the village.

"I left the village and returned to my hotel in Nadi. I felt somewhat happy and content that I had met my old friends, but my sadness outweighed the happiness when I thought that I would probably never see them again and that I was leaving them in what I class as liv­ ing close to poverty.

Thank you Andy for your efforts and for this report. I have and I am still making enquiries as to whether those men or the widows in Fiji can make claims for war pensions for illnesses and deaths attributed or aggravated by service.

Peter Fletcher

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"However, we reached it safely and the villagers had all turned out to greet me. Prayers of thanks were said for my safe arrival and more prayers were said t wish me well on my journey home.

"We drank lot's of their local drink, Kava, and I was made really welcome. That night and most of the next day I spent in the village talking about the old days and bringing everybody up to date about events within in our own Association. Food was not plentiful, but every effort was made to share what they had with me. We moan and groan about our problems, but we are all mil­ lionaires when we compare their situation with our own.

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Holiday Flatlets

□ Under the personal supervision of Pauline, Charles and Glen

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□ 50yds from promenade and Sandcastle □ Own keys - large private car park

□Parking available

Syd Harris (Ex-Christmas island 68 Station Road, Blackpool SS Proprietress: Mrs I Harris

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24 Alexandra Road, !

Blackpool SS

□ Clean modern flats, fully equipped for 2-6 persons, bedding provided and colour television

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Sham-Bek Hotel

Telephone: 0253-347620

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Telephone: 0253-346103 Visitors: 0253-342074

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IT'S PARTY TIME!

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at The Horseshoe, Blackpool Pleasure Beach 4?

. o $7 •!

warnif V ;

Tom Bright's Christmas Party! A great night out with a choice of festive meal, bars, disco plus a Fabulous show!

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BO

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10th-31st December 1993

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For group and individual bookings call central bookings on 0253-341033 ■

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