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Newsletter Christmas 2003

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British Nuclear Test Veterans Association

The Chairman an d the Executive Committee

Newsletter Christmas 2003

wish all members and their families

IN THIS ISSUE Christmas Message from the Chairman

a Healthy, Happy Christmas and A Good New Year.

Presidents message Treasurers Report Message from Chichester

Christmas Message from the Chairman Letters to the Editor Many of you have asked “ what happened in respect of the articles which appeared in the Sunday Mirror at the end of last year, and dossier which was handed in to the MOD” Well the simple answer is nothing.

Where are they now? Revd.E.G.Alsop BA, MiD, RAF, QHC, Rtd. Christmas Island Chaplain Competition! “Name this newsletter Annual General Meeting Notice Is your name and address correct Ashamed ! Leeds on Parade Branch news Portsmouth Pictorial v

SUBSCRIPTIONS For 2004 are due on the 1st of January the amount due is £10.00 per year. Some of our members pay one or more years at a time. Which makes our Association more financially secure, could you do this?. There are those of us who still owe their subscription for 2003, come on all you members who have not paid, make out a cheque for £20.00 to cover both years, and post it TODAY to the Treasurer. We have the AGM early in the year please make sure you are able to take a full part in the meeting. Remember without a 2004 membership card you will not be able to vote.

Although the MOD advised that they would be taking the dossier seriously, they required further information in respect of the statistics contained in Mr John Urquhart’s critique. Despite our contacting both Mr Urquhart and the Sunday Mirror requesting the additional information, no reply was ever received and the MOD took no further action. I have recently written again to the Sunday Mirror requesting that they supply the information with a view to our re-opening the matter with the MOD. We can only wait for further developments. Meanwhile we continue to argue our case with the MOD, although I must admit that it is somewhat like kicking a football against a brick wall. It always comes back to you. They have a very good goal-keeper. Still one can always hope that if we don’t give up, one day the wall will collapse. On Sunday 3rd October I attended the service in Leeds Parish Church, when the Yorkshire branch dedicated their New Standard. On the same day there was a ceremony in South Wales to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their memorial stone. On the 8th November, following the Remembrance Parade in Manchester, the North West branch rededicated their memorial stone, which has been resited, although it is still in the peace garden at the rear of the cenotaph. Early next year the London branch intends to dedicate both a New Standard and lay a memorial stone. The whole point of Branches is to allow veterans to get together, have a chat, and take part in the working of the Association, these occasions defiantly play there part in bringing the members together, as well as informing the general public of our cause. Where we have branches they work fairly well, although there is always room for improvement

I wonder when you last went to a branch meeting, or contacted your branch representative? How else do you expect to obtain information on your fellow members? You will note that, with one or two notable exceptions, the branch reps have again failed to enter any report in this edition of your magazine. What of the areas where we have no branch? If you consider that contact with fellow veterans in your area would be advantageous, why not volunteer to arrange a meeting and organise a branch. The Committee will offer any help they can.

Congratulations are due to Wally Holdsworth the West Yorkshire branch rep, who together with his team have raised the money to purchase their own standard. See report in Branch News The committee is hard at work on our behalf seeking the elusive recognition and pensions which you all so richly deserve. Veterans in Australia,and New Zealand are facing the same sort of problems as us with their respective governments. We will win if we trust in God and Fight the Good Fight.

The litigation which we are undertaking against the MOD trundles slowly on its way. There are still problems with the legal aid board, but it is believed that these will be overcome shortly, at which time the solicitors will be sending a communication to all members who have registered with them. If you have not registered, may I recommend that you contact Derick Redfern without delay. If this opportunity is missed, there will never be another one.

On a lighter note if Father Christmas asked me what would I like for Christmas my reply would go something like this.

John Lowe Chairman

Finally I wish you all both home and abroad God’s blessing. A Merry Christmas and a Very Very Happy New Year.

Treasurer's Report Last year was the best year for payment of membership fees I can recall. Certainly, a well up, on the predecessors. We had for 2002 some 1,376 payments of which some 110 were fees in advance for 2003. This gave us a total of 1,266 paid up members. This year so far we have in a total of 1,315 payments if we add the 110 prepaid members from last year this shows us having advanced once again. We must be doing something right. Every time a newsletter goes out we get members remembering to send in their fees, at present we have some £2,104.34 in the current account and £22,890.43 in the Business Premium Account giving total assets of £24,994.77. A very sound position going into the final quarter of the financial year. Nontheless, if you have not paid your fees for 2003 - send them off to me immediately, you will get your card by return of post. November 2003 Ken Roberts Treasurer

Presidents Message I have received many telephone calls about the health of Sheila Gray. I am please to be able to tell you that she is recovering slowly and is at present with friends in Poland. It is with sadness that I have to tell you of the death of Lady Pauline Ashley, the wife of our long time supporter Lord Jack Ashley. A message of sympathy was sent on behalf of the members. Ken Taylor represented the Association at the memorial service.

Prof.Sam Ryan Pathologist Pathologist Dr Quincy Horace Rumpole Law and Tribunals All famous from TV programmes, because THEY NEVER LOOSE

Peter G Fletcher President

Commemorative Medals Peter has only two of the Commemorative Atomic Service medals available, they are available on a first come first served basis. Cost £30.00 inc P&P. Please contact Peter direct for these medals.

Message from Chichester A CHRISTMAS GREETING from our Chaplain - The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling Dean of Chichester I send warm greetings to all the members of the Association and their families at this time of the year when our thoughts turn to the Christmas message of peace and goodwill. Life is not easy for some of you, and we all share the frustration of a continuing lack of recognition of our members' service, and the continuing suffering of many of you. Whatever the New Year may bring, may I take this opportunity to assure you of my prayers, and to wish you a Happy and Holy Christmas. Nicholas Frayling

Branch News Leeds on Parade West & North Yorkshire branch celebrated the dedication and Blessing of their new Standard and the 51st Anniversary of the first British Atomic Test on October 5th 2003. The service was held in Leeds Parish Church and lead by the Revd Canon Graham Smith, together with the clergy of the Parish Church. Members came from far and wide to attend this very special occasion. The parade was commanded by Leut. Col Jarrett. The parade consisted of the Leeds Rifles, Royal British Legion, Leeds Sea Cadets, Leeds Air Training Corps; also attending were Sean Morris of the Peace and Emergency planning unit, Leeds MEP Michael McGowan, George Mudie MP plus too many councillors to mention. Our special guests were Tieri Pollard leader of the Kiribati Dancers, and His Excellency the High Commissioner of the Republic of the Fiji Islands and his wife Mr & Mrs E L Boladuadua. John Lowe BNTVA National Chairman and Peter Fletcher our President worked very hard to help make the day a success, we are very grateful to them. Everyone enjoyed themselves marching behind the band to the Royal Armouries, especially Peter Fletcher who was the only one not out of breath when we arrived (he was pushed in his wheelchair). On Sunday 19th October, I was invited to Leeds City Hall to meet the Lord Mayor of Nagasaki Mr Iccho Itoh and the Lord Mayor of Hiroshima Mr Tadatoshi Akiba, who are on a peace mission around the world. It was a very moving experience listening to their stories about the bombings, they were both babies in arms at the time. The two Lord Mayors sang a song about Japan unaccompanied. Well that's all folks from Yorkshire so until we meet again take care. Wally Holdsworth Branch Representative

Scottish Branch Firstly let me apologise to all those of you that have tried to contact me by telephone, I now have a BT answering service installed this should make the situation better, just leave your name and number and I will get back to you. When I took over this year I asked John Lowe to send Newsletters to all Scottish members - paid up or no, We did not get as much response as we expected, so if any of you know someone who has let their membership lapse please ask them to come back to the Association My wife and I went to Risca in South Wales for the tenth anniversary of the memorial stone being laid there. Many thanks go to Peter and Gron Williams

for their hospitality. Especial thanks go to Cllr. Stan Jenkins for a copy °f the video of the concert which took place last year featuring the Gwent Police Choir. Little did I think ten years ago when I was speaking to Neil Kinnock that we would be no further forward, but if we give up the only winners will be the MOD and the sycophantic civil servants that run it. Next year, if possible I would like to attend at our stone in Paisley for a short while in the afternoon of Sunday 2nd October 2004 so we can remember our dead and ill comrades. I would be delighted if some of you could join me there. As we are approaching the festive season I would like to wish you all everything you wish yourselves for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and with God’s help may 2004 be the year that we finally get justice Bob Smith Scottish Branch

London Branch 1 am glad to say that lam ready to start the fight again. In the past our branch has led in BNTVA with raising money, a total of over £20,000.00. We have produced a newsletter at no cost to the Association. Sadly we were at the back as far as Standards and Memorial Stones were concerned. That is about to change, an order has been placed for two new standards, one for the Essex region and one for the Kent and Sussex branches. Three memorial stones are being arranged with the CO-OP. One to be placed on the Isle of Sheppy at the Abbey at Minster, which is the birth and resting place of Bill Penny. Another is to be located in Colchester John Halsey will tell us the exact place later. The last one will be placed in St Mary’s Church West Ham. I am in touch with the vicar Revd Julian Scarf, my local vicar, who tells me that the PCC has agreed to the stone design and have passed the proposal to Chelmsford for ratification by the diocese. The Church will not be ready until April 2004 due to refurbishment, so we are looking at May 2004 for the stone and the Standard for London. I am hoping for a very big parade to St Mary’s on that day all who can attend will most welcome. On the 25th October we held a fund raising day at Eastchurch Working Men’s Club on the Isle of Sheppy. An auction was arranged by the club committee, a very good disco was in operation all day as was the buffet and bar. Ken Taylor London Area representative

Portsmouth Branch The Portsmouth branch continues to meet at 7 pm in the Ex-servicemens’ club Fratton Road Portsmouth on the last Wednesday of each month, except December. Any BN TVA member or their family or friends visiting the area throughout the year are welcome to attend the meeting which is normally over by 9 pm.

This may be morbid but please ask for an autopsy report and do consider not to have cremation

In December we have our Christmas ‘Do’ which this year is on Wednesday 17th December at the Portsmouth Bowling Club, when our Chaplain The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling will again join our company. Portsmouth branch members will be advised of the details through the Branch Chairman’s annual letter, also in the letter the details of the Annual BNTVA Service at Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral in commemoration of the ‘First Fleets’ departure from Portsmouth for the tests in 1952, which next year will be held on Saturday 21st February 2004.

The widows and families unfortunately have to prove it was a radiated illness to gain a pension; so the more information medically or otherwise, will help. If anyone wants to know about a particular illness I will do my best to find an answer, you only have to contact me by telephone or letter.

Throughout the year our ‘Main Public Service’ is ably carried out by our Standard bearer, Roy Greenaway who has become a regular BNTVA representative at the Royal British Legion Parades and Ceremonies in th Portsmouth area. He is especially busy in the November period of Remembrance.

Following on from ‘Watch this space’ we were given a organisation to contact

As usual members of the branch attended the Cenotaph in Whitehall. It is always a privilege to represent the BNTVA, to remember friends no longer with us. To renew friendships and commitment with present day members to the BNTVA cause. A cause synonymous with Peter Fletcher and Sheila Gray and through the columns of this newsletter. That's all for this time. We do our best to keep the branch alive and active with a nucleus of dedicated members supported by other members and friends in the community. Norman Aplin Portsmouth branch secretary

Widows Representative Can anyone help David Wilson (Dave). He served with 76 Squadron on Christmas Island and would like to make contact with any of his old work mates from the squadron. Please contact Mavis or the Secretary. We have been placed on the data base for the Retained Organs Commission to receive their newsletter in future. There are several types of cancer so it is difficult to understand the consequences of any which the Veterans sadly die from- plus the fact that it can be many years before it shows itself; This is why I urge widow’s families to question the doctor attending the patient. We get some certificates with just Pneumonia on and not the underlying illness which

weakens the immune system. Radiation exposure does not go away it can lie dormant until another illness ( maybe flu or some heart problem) brings it out; but where? that is the question the doctor must answer.

When a member unfortunately dies , his membership is normally passed to his widow. So far we have been lucky that they have carried on the membership. To bring you up to date we have 5 more widows since my last report.

Who has heard of the National Register for Deaths? It is situated in Liverpool. I telephoned the register and I asked how to get a true assessment on the death certificate. I was told to tell the people concerned to speak to the doctor before anything is written down. I also asked John Lowe to contact them to see if any contact had been made with the register by the NRPB for statistics etc. The answer was, no contact had been made. Perhaps we should try to persuade the NRPB to take actual death certificate details not the aggregated ones used at present.

Mavis Gardner Widows Representative

East Midlands Area Using the £50.00 donation from the National Executive Committee, myself with Mavis have managed to get in touch with over 50 members who we considered to be East Midlander’s. We asked them if the branch was re-activated would they attend. The majority answered they were too old, in ill health, or they do not travel very well, so would not be able to support the reactivation of the branch. A second question was also put to them. Do they wish Mavis and I to continue laying a poppy wreath on our Memorial Stone in the Peace Walk Leicester on Remembrance Sunday? Again many responded to say how much they appreciated what we are doing and over £20.00 was sent in to help with the costs. Receipts have been sent to each individual who donated. I should like to thank them once again publicly through the pages of the newsletter for their generosity Mavis and I will continue to place the wreath each year for as long as

our health allows. Once again thanks very much for the support. Thought for the Day • - Never regret growing old - IPs a privilege denied to many. Marilyn Hall East Midlands Region Representative.

Canal Zone 16th October 1951 to 19th October 1954 A medal has been authorised to be issued to any British Service Personnel who served in the Canal Zone during the dates mentioned. Mavis tell’s us that she has applied for one in her late husbands name, he served 3 years in the Zone. Please be prepared for a long wait as it may take up to two years to issue them.

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Annual General Meeting 2004 Please book this date in your diaries The AGM of the Association will take place in the Paradise Room at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Complex on

Saturday 17th April 2004 The meeting will be followed by the usual evening social and entertainment. Full details will be in the next issue

Manchester Remembrance and Rededication On Sunday 9th November 2003 the North West branch paraded their Standard at the City of Manchester Remembrance Day service and Parade. Later the same day, at 12.15 pm, bathed in Manchester’s late Autumnal sunshine and to a backdrop of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlander’s Association band, playing at the Cenotaph only a few yards away, a small contingent of us stood in the Peace Garden in order that we could rededicate our Memorial Stone. When the Stone was originally installed and dedicated on the 3rd October 1996, the city planners insisted that it be sited below ground level in order that a lawnmower could be driven over the top. Unfortunately this meant that most passers-by never noticed it, especially at this time of year when it is habitually covered with leaves. /After a long campaign we at last received permission to raise the stone, and site it a more prominent position, placing it on its original plinth, which we had been prevented from utilising originally. We offer our sincere thanks to the Revd Canon Roger Hill rector of St Ann’s Manchester, who conducted the ceremony. John Lowe, the Association’s National Chairman, unveiled the stone and a floral tribute was laid by Mrs F Corduroy, the wife of one of our test veterans. After the service we adjourned to Manchester Town Hall for luncheon at the invitation of Manchester City Council. All the funds for the refurbishment of the stone were met by the branch by holding a raffle at the Timberley Trade Fair. John Lowe

Memorabilia for Sale

Some members of the National Executive Committee from left to right Mavis Gardner, Derek Heaps, John Lowe, Derick Redfern & Jeff Liddiatt

Blazer Badges £12.00 Association cuff links £5.00 Association Head Squares £6.00 Association Ties £6.00 Lapel Badges £2.50 Wall Plaques £30.00 Paper Weights £12.00 All these items are available from the Treasurer Please make cheques payable to BNTVA and send to Ken Roberts Treasurer. BNTVA 1 Regal Close Seaton Carew Hartlepool Cleveland TS25 IDG Items will be dispatched as soon as possible after receipt of the order

Manchester’s Special Day

O'sWUsC# (5CST Competition

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HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT CHOOSING NAMES? WE ARE RUNNING A COMPETITION TO GIVE A NAME TO OUR NEWSLETTER.

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CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS 31st JANUARY 2004 ALL ENTRIES TO SENT TO THE SECRETARY

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The entry should be on A4 paper. AND CAN BE HAND OR COMPUTER DRAWN THE PRIZE IS EITHER A BOOK OR GARDENING TOKEN FOR £10.00 ALL ENTRIES BECOME TO PROPERTY OF BNTVA AT THE CLOSE OF THE COMPETITION.

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Every Picture Tells a Story Last October (2002), I sent in a photograph with a brief letter to the Daily Mail ‘Every Picture Tells a Story* page. My main motive was to try and give the BNTVA some media exposure and maybe make contact with some ex R.E.M.E. mates from the island. Especially Geordie Hardy from Sunderland.He was central to the picture story, having broke his neck whilst diving from an old ships boiler in Port London Harbour (there was an acute shortage of ‘old boilers’ on the island, as I recall!). The Daily Mail bless its cotton shimmies has a Readers Letters Department and I received a handful of replies to my small item. Amongst them was one from a lady who wrote as a pen friend to a Sapper Ron Fennell. He was on the Island 1956-57 but I could not recall his name. I suggested she contact our Secretary Jeff Liddiatt. ( Letter received with regard to Ron Fennell Sec) Another writer was Ex RAMC medic called Daniel Lyons. Although we were on the island at the same time we did not see each other. I have made contact with Daniel and he only lives less than 1/2 a mile from me, we meet up occasionally. Daniel is an Irishman who spends his time helping others less fortunate than himself. He helps with trips to Lourdes and other pilgrimage places. On the run up to Christmas he helps with a special charity in East London for the homeless. Not bad for a 70 year old. Alan Clack also sent a letter telling me he is one of the lucky ones, no ill-effects from service on the island. Another letter was very sad and took me a long time to be able to read it all. Michael E Smith 23700967 served on Christmas Island in 1961. On New Year’s Eve, Michael and his friend Sapper Jarvis were sailing a dinghy from Cook Island when they lost control. The pair tried to swim back to shore but sadly, young Michael did not make it. The family were hoping I was that Sapper Jarvis, so they could hear first hand what had happened to Michael. This would have enabled them to put the event into prospective and so close a very sad chapter in their lives Unfortunately I was not the man they were looking for (I wish I had been) Sapper Jarvis was in the 73rd Sqd Royal Engineers. Perhaps his is a member of our association or one of our members know of him. If you are out there Sapper Jarvis ex 73rd please contact the Editor for the name and address of Michael’s family. The same goes for any member who can put the family in touch please contact the Editor. Bryan Jarvis

Calling West Sussex Is this you? Some time ago the editor received a letter from the ‘Lancing Herald’ asking if a chap named Chris was one of our members? The reporter Jamie Hailstone wishes to interview Chris for an article in the paper. The interest arose from an article in the ‘Herald’ called William Shaw goes behind the facts. Chris was a lad of 17 years,his home was in Tiger Bay Cardiff. He went to Christmas island whilst serving with the Royal Engineers. He left the Army and at age 24 he joined the Royal Air Force. In 1984 he discovered tumours in his chest he left the service the next year. For a number of years he together with his wife ran two public houses, the Bull & Bush in Richmond and the Three Horseshoes in Lancing. He then became a prison officer. It was decided to retire to Cyprus, so the house was put up for sale together with the surplus belongings which were advertised in the ‘Lancing Herald’ Instead of being in Cyprus he is in Worthing being treated for cancer. Please if this is you please contact the Editor so that you can be put in touch with the reporter. Perhaps you might like to write a piece for the Newsletter. ED

BBC Radio 4 programme When I listened to the programme about Maralinga on the radio, it brought back a lot of memories. I also contacted the BBC and was sent photographs of the places and people that had taken part in the programme. I have good reason to remember the swimming pool as my front teeth were left on the bottom after diving in. The remedy was to send me to Keswick Barracks in Adelaide to be treated by the dentist, ever since I have had trouble with my teeth. You RAF guys must have been used to a higher standard than us in the Army. I found the tucker good. The water that - is another thing. The desalination plant was run by the Royal Navy. CPO’s Tombs and Weston were in charge. Ernie Tombs liked to float in the pool as he was an expert at it, having been torpedoed in the Atlantic during WWII and survived for over 36 hours until picked up. I forgot to mention I was at Maralinga 1958/59, although no major tests were carried out, REME light aid detachment were involved in making frames for the Kitten Trials which were the trigger mechanisms for the bombs. Back to the subject of water. The site had seven wells to supply the camp but at one time only two were useable as the rest had to be re-drilled. Sods law these were the farthest out, one by the blow hole on

the Watson Road and the other in the forward area, so I spent a month travelling back and forward on a water tanker delivering water to the tank nearest the camp. One of the highlights of my time at Maralinga was a trip to Woomera for a weekend of sport. We travelled by railcar which took a long time, but we all enjoyed it. Geordie Pearson played two full games of footie as the second team was short of a player. One of the stalwarts of the camp was Chris Rowlands cinema projectionist I recall we saw the cup final twice but Luton lost each time. I found the accommodation good compared to some I have stayed in. The only down side was total lack of information with regard to the amount of exposure to radiation we had been exposed to. When I wrote to the MOD they replied, I could only have been exposed to the equivalent of one dose, as no daily record of radiation in the area was kept.nor was the fact that we worked on vehicles that had been in the forward area taken into consideration. Nothing changes, if the MOD keeps pushing out bull they think we might believe it one day. Bob Smith

Ron Fennell Ron are you out there, an old friend of yours who was your pen pal many years ago wishes to get in contact again. Eunice Presdee has written to the editor asking for any information we may have. Please contact the editor for full information. Perhaps he is not a member, so if any member can remember Ron or is in touch with him please pass on the message. ED

David Pickford writes Dear Jeff You may wish to include this in the next newsletter. I feel incensed enough to scream at Whitehall “What have vou done to my sons and God-forbid, my grandchildren?” To have to bear the brunt personally for the buffoons of this world is one thing, but to learn that my children have inherited genetic defects in their bone structures is quite another. The Prime Minister of the day was warned it would happen “ A pity but it can’t be helped”, came the reply.

Is there no end to the official garbage this nation will smilingly accept? How do you keep a stiff upper anything when one’s frame is falling apart. My thought and prayers are with you all Dave Pickford This letter is printed as it was received ED.

Christmas Island Chaplain Revd. Eric Alsop Mr Alsop has written in with the story about the church of St.Nicholas together with the church hall Christmas Island which was built by the lads stationed on the Island. Local materials had to be used so the building was made from coral and anything left behind by previous occupants. The building was carried out in off duty periods. The collection of coral had to be done at low tide, which involved me and my driver driving to the beach at odd hours. The first Church was made of timber and palm leaves it was blown down by the blast during one of the tests. I tried to get the powers that be in London to fork out for a new Church but surprise surprise nothing was forthcoming. So I asked the lads stationed on the island to help build one. Which is what they did. The Church was planned to hold about 100 people 98 men and two elderly WVS ladies who ran the shop and library. Both the Army and the RAF worked together. The first job was to hand dig the foundations in through the SAND until rock was found. The only material used that was not collected or manufactured on the island, were some black pipes left behind by the Japanese after WWll. These were used to hold up the roof. The walls of the Church were natural coral both inside and out, no painting. The timber requirements were met by the carpenters from the RAF Station Workshops the items manufactured included the Communion rail. The lads who heard me preach in the old Church told me that I was a bit of a ranter during the sermon. Hence the pulpit being made of coral and weighed in at about 10 tons. The font was also made of coral (baby's from the locals). When the Church was finished I laid a stone in the font area to commemorate the event. As this was a tropical island flowers were in short supply, so I spent some time each Saturday arranging the artificial ones.

1 could go on but as I am nearly 92 I find writing a little tedious. Eric Alsop

The opinions and views expressed in the contributions to the Newsletters by members and others are the personal opinions of the contributor. They do not reflect the official views of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association. Only official contributions from BNTVA officers can be considered to reflect the official position of the Association.

The completed Christmas Island Church

Greetings from Canada Cyril Collins writes to us from Don Mills Ontario Canada. He has sent in a short story that is too big to publish in the newsletter. It reflects on ‘Operation Buffalo’ and his RAF service. (If anyone wishes to read the story please contact the editor) The story has been published in two parts in the Air Canada Pilots magazine. He sends good wishes to all ex RAF and BNTVA friends. He has been living in Canada for 35 years and recommends it. ED

Straight Talk About Compensation Although it is a long time from the last AGM, one of our members is still thinking about one of the items at the meeting. Gordon Sharp writes At the AGM I was heartened by the oratory and confidence of the lawyer who addressed the meeting. Particularly when that learned gentleman informed us that he is to be the litigator for us in our just claims against the government. It was obvious from the rapturous applause he received after that address that most of us were not only interested in what he had to say, but we were convinced that here was the right man to argue our case for us. For the first time since I became a member of the BNTVA in 1983 I felt a real surge of hope for a successful outcome to our case. Later I pondered about the outcome - should our hopes be fulfiled. I began to feel that we are sending our advocate into action ill prepared. If the government concedes that we have a valid case, the next step would be to negotiate a settlement. Our first priority is the health and welfare of veterans and descendants safeguarded for the future.

On What basis should the amount of compensation be Raid. If memory serves me right, we in the Association have vet to discuss what level of compensation we are seeking. After the fiasco of Strasbourg, lets make sure that we

Padre Alsop with three of the builders Is it YOU fully armed with all the facts to put forward an obtainable objective. What figure and formula is deemed to be acceptable The Far East Prisoners of War Associations case was settled by a straightforward payment per man. I’m sure that initially , like us, it wasn’t a simple matter to agree on the formula for such a settlement. Then again like us, they had many members who suffered and are still suffering, injuries and death due to their experiences. They also had members who appeared to have come through those dreadful times relatively unscathed. As far as our own situation is concerned we all know members who appear to have come through our experiences without any harm, simply because they have not shown any ill effects from being in the area concerned. What is not known is the effects on descendants brought about by the exposure to radiation. I would hate to think that we could win our case and then waste time arguing about how the compensation should be allocated. I would suggest that we probably only have two choices they are as follows.

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Case reviewed individually on its awarc^e^ damages by a prescribed

B A fixed sum of compensation to all members, regardless of the extent of their current illness and or losses. In A I fear that some cases could easily drag on for the next fifty years. In B There would be a quick and final resolution to out quest. One big advantage about choice B is that the government can quickly establish the capital sum involved. Having sat on government committees in the past that have involved finance Pm too aware that they will not enter into meaningful discussion until they have an overall cost figure in front of them ! That being the case we can safely assume that if we decided on choice B, our man involved in the litigation process would find his task so much easier. I personally favour B I’ll tell you why. Time is quickly running out for us. Like many members I’m in my seventies, in ill health and anxious to see a closure on this important matter before I die. Remember you cannot take it with you. On a serious note, I’ve lost two daughters - Their untimely unnecessary deaths, plus thirty years I’ve spent suffering cancers and other life threatening illnesses which I attribute wholly to the radiation I was exposed to. Lets get it sorted and give our advocate something he can use Now Gordon H Sharp Ex HMS Campania Monte-Bello 1952

Address Book from Christmas island On going through my late mothers belongings I came across my Christmas Island address book. The picture of the three chaps in front of the tarmac plant in a recent issue of the newsletter made me think. Yes I can recall some of the names;- the chap on the left is Jimmy Dunk he came from Newhaven, the middle one is called Pete ? who’s surname escapes me. We spent a leave together in Honolulu and he almost talked me into a tattoo parlour. He went in and came out with either Donald Duck or Pluto on his forearm. The chap on the right is Terry, again the surname escapes me. (old age does’nt come alone). The address book contained a lot of names some of which were for my Christmas Island friends. I list some of them. Are they members? or can anyone give a contact for them. J Alderson Terry Rogers, T Lanson, Jim Elloitt, Len Richardson, Don Charlick, Eric McDonald, Brian Frankland, John Tysoe and

Norman Gardner. 1 am still in contact with Colin (Charlie) Rowntree. 1 was a member of 73 Christmas Island Sqd RE June 1959 to May 1960. More names have just come to mind-- Colin Morley, Ginger Wakefield, Les Foley, Bill Woodcock, Allan Anderson, ? Groomebridgc, Bill Riley, Bryn Bruce, Bob Mulligan, Mick Pettits (He went on to do two tours) Bill Fothergill Taff Allen, Frank Monyneaux, Christopher Harrison-Smith. Sorry the list is rather long. David Witcomb Ex RE

Christmas Island, Christmas 1957 Adding a bit of dignity and tradition to the Christmas celebrations. Most veterans will remember the celebrations at the NAAFI, and the many parties organised by individual sections to which invitations were freely issued to associated or neighbouring units. Many will have recollections of the ingenious way the readers of the newspaper ‘Reveille' contributed to our Christmas festivities and enjoyment by generously sending us a Christmas cake in the shape of Sophia Loren (full size) Unfortunately when the cake arrived on Christmas Island, it had become broken in transit. There was much speculation amongst ourselves as to which part of the lady’s anatomy each would be given When the lumps and crumbs were eventually shared out! I remember the true meaning of Christmas was provided by the Gilbertese of London village, when on Sunday December 22nd a party of them came up to main camp to entertain us. I don’t know what I’d expected but I can still recall the quality of their excellent singing, their enthusiasm and their superb sense of rhythm. Their choir gave a brilliant performance, singing in their own language their own traditional carols, as well as those known to us such as Silent Night, Once in Royal David’s city, and Away in a manger. The choir was made up of people of all ages, young and old. They were led by the village Elder or Chief who made a valiant attempt to show off his own importance by dressing in european style with baggy grey flannels slightly too short for him, a rather elderly blazer, a white shirt with no collar but sporting a tie all the same. The party was accompanied by two village policemen who wore Khaki drill shirts and a tight kind of KD skirt which had red borders. These policemen wei'e justifiably proud of their very smart appearance and just loved displaying huge beams of pleasure as the photographers flashed away. They took their duties as escorts very seriously and supervised the taking of the collection with great skill never letting the box out of their sight for one moment. Everyone was bare footed including the chief. Although there was no hint of holly anywhere, the Gilbertese did bring what appeared to be a real fir tree, around which they sang their carols so impressively David Tillotson , CQ National Serviceman Christmas Island 1J57 - 5o

Portsmouth Pictorial

What If? What if they hadn't dropped the bomb they did in '45? How many people would have died, how many left alive? To end that bloody conflict, Hiroshima had to go.... . But was it just for answers - did they simply want to know? © George Buller 1996

Portsmouth Memorial Stone

George Buller(age46) sent an email to the secretary to tell us that he totally ashamed of the way, we, who took part in the series of Atomic and Hydrogen tests; were used and have been treated since. George is so ashamed that he wishes to help our cause in any way he can, to try to put right some of the wrong. George sent the email as a result of reading some books about the experiences of veterans in the test areas.

Copy deadline for the next edition of the magazine is Saturday 14th February 2004

Special discount of 10% off the funeral directors fees for members of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association 0161-881-2212

Manchester Road Chorlton*cunrHardy Manchester M21 9PN www.funeralshop.co.uk

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Standards at Spalding on a Sunny September Day

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Veterans day in Liverpool

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Canon G Smith, HE The High Commissioner of Fiji, Our President,and the Yorkshire Branch Representative

2004 Newsletter copy deadline

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