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PHOTO: By kind permission of Drew Neil, Gazette group, Paisley

Dedication service HERE'S another picture that i reveals a story of sorrow and sacrifice.

The occasion was the special dedication service held in i Paisley, Scotland, to all the servicemen who took part in the Atomic Test programme at Christmas Island, Malden

Island, Monte Bello, and Maralinga, and to their families as well as the peoples of Australia and the South Pacific.

Pictured from left to right are:

The Rev. Canon Nicholas Frayling, The Very Rev John

Mone, Bishop of Paisley, Ken McGinley (Chairman) and Peter Fletcher (ViceChairman). Actor James MacPherson (Detective Sergeant Jardine in the television series Taggart, also attended the service.

r PAGE 2

Australian medal news Australian Commemorative Medal: THIS medal covers servuce in Monte Bello. Maralinga, Emu Field. Christmas island and Japan. I do carry A stock of these medals and they are ordered from Australia, your name stamped on them the returned to me.

This takes time so if you wish to order one please do not espect it by return post. It can take weeks.

They cost £25 (inc p/p) and cheques should be made payable to Peter Fletcher (Medal).

IMPORTANT NOTE: In newsletter No 4 In February 1991,1 wrote: "The names of holders of the medal will be placed In a register which will eventually be placed in the Australian War Museum, Canberra."

This was incorrect and I apologise for any misunderstanding. It should have read "The names of the holders of the medal will be written into a register."

This register will eventually be offered to the Australian War Museum by the Committee of the Australian ExServices Atomic Survivors Association for consideration by the memorial for It to be housed within the museum in Canberra Act. Peter Fletcher

□ CROSSWORD □

7 8 10 11 12 13 14 17 19 20 22 23

ACROSS 1 Hold on (4) 2 Sure to work (4-4) Tearful quiverer? (6,3) 3 4 Difficulty (3) 5 Pottery (5) 6 Anglican official (7) 9 Funny (7) 12 Record (5) 15 Mature (3) 16 Qualm (9) 18 Alberta’s capital (8) 21 Friend (4)

DOWN Deck mop (4) FalstafT associate (6) Summons (4-2) Desire to steal (11) Bob, for example? (6) Word for word (8) Open (11) Falsified (8) Mrs French (6) Tagus port (6) Jolly (6) Quarry (4)

SOLUTION •oilier) \z ‘oipng 81 ‘uoqsn 91 ‘atuBpBjv SI ‘P0J°i °°(I Z\ ‘3uiiuooquo.| 6 ‘umBqJOA 9 ‘opjiBH £ ‘BmBUiojdoDi V fdn-ira t‘loisid z l NA\OCI «imo £Z‘uoiuouip3 ZZ ‘SuiaiSsjw 0Z ‘PIO 61 ‘wnqiv i\ ‘ibdjuio9 w ‘jsoaojj £1 ‘JJIKI Z\ 11 ‘dij uiojioq oi ‘^bs-iib^i g ‘iiba\ L -SSOHDV ^^

AGM is the chance for you to vote MEMBERS NOTICE

• proposed and seconded.

The Members Notice issued on behalf of BNTVA 92 by Vice Chairman.

Addresses for nominations or proposals: Mr D heaps, 4 Bakewell Drive, Castle Donnington, Derby.

THE annual conference in Blackpool is also the venue for the B.N.T.V.A. (1992) Annual General Meeting.

Notice is hereby given that the AGM will take place on Saturday AGM AGENDA: 24th April. 1993, at 2pm.

1. Act of Homage Last Post The venue 2. Apologies for will be The absence.

Horseshoe 3. Minutes of last Bar, AGM. Blackpool, 4. Matters and admission arising. to the aid 5. Chairmans meeting is by THE Church Parade and Service report. current will take place on SUNDAY 25th APRIL, 1993, at The Salvation Army 5a. ViceMembership Citadel, Raikes Parade, Blackpool, chairmans report.

Card only. with a march Into town Election of accompanied by the band (weather 6. Secretary's Officers and permitting). Full details at the AGM. report.

7. Treasurers If you would like to parade, but Executive report. march/walk we will try to Committee:- cannot obtain wheelchairs to enable you to 8. Membership All current participate. If you require a chair secretary's officers and please let us know as soon as report. members of possible and we will do our best to 9. Election of the Erecutive help you. officers.

Committee 10. Electon of are standing for re-election. commitlee.

Nominations for elections should 11. Any other business. be in the hands of the Association 12. Chairmans round-up.

Secretary ten clear days before the 13. Date, place of next AGM. AGM • proposed and seconded.

(Note: Votes will only be counted if Membership Secretary:the Full Member is holding up a Nominations are required for this ost which replaces the Liaison Officer current red membership card).

Full member: A Nuclear test veteran positon. Nominations to The or a Test Veterans widow.

Secretary ten days prior to the AGM

Don't forget the parade!

This is how you tell an OAP

A

Senior Citizen is one who was here before the Pill, before television, frozen food, credit cards and ballpoint pens.

Girls wore Peter pan collas and thought cleavage was something butchers did. Teenagers never wore slacks.

There were no pantyhose, drip dry clothes or electric blankets.

We were before batman, vitamin pills, disposable nappies, jeeps, pizzas, instant coffee, and

Kentucky fried wasn't even thought of.

In our day cigarette smoking was fashionable.

Grass was for mowing and pot was something you cooked in.

A Gay person was the life and soul of the party and nothing more, while Aids meant beauty lotions or help for someone in trouble.

We are today's Senor Citizens - a hardy bunch when you think how much the world has changed and of the adjustments we have had to make.

PAGE 3

Fears about life and death all on the same day P’S here at last! Oh God, let everyting go off alright. The fool who Istarted the rumour ought to be shot.

These were the thoughts of Leading Seaman C Harding on the morning of Thursday, 13th November, 1957. For the past two months he had been part of a huge team preparing to drop an HBomb over Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean.

Leading Seaman Harding wasn't very happy. This was one draft he hadn't wanted, especially as his wife was expecting their first baby in a few days time.

To make things worse, he had heard the rumour in the NAAFI. It was spreading like wildfire A genuine H.G. Wells' prediction that on an island in the Pacific in the year 1957 there would be a terrific explosion and out of 5000 souls only 100 would survive.

Funny that there should be 5000 people on Christmas Island and only 100 would survive.

Funny that there should be 5000 people on Christmas Island and that approximately 100 Gilbertese natives would be moved off before the explosion.

Harding had thought about these things, arguing with himself that they would never explode a bomb unless they knew everything would be safe. Nevertheless, H G Wells had predicted quite a few things and they had all come true. Harding had even thought of writing a letter to his wife and leaving it on the locker top - someone would be sure to visit the Island afterwards if anything did go wrong.

He dismissed the letter idea as being to dramatic, but said quite a few prayers.

At 6am Harding started preparing for the day ahead. Tents had to be left wide open otherwise the shock waves would flatten them.

Pets had to be collected and put into sealed boxes to prevent them being blinded by the flash. So many things to do but still not enough to keep Harding's mind off H G Wells.

By 7am everything in the camp was ready and everyone moved down to the port area and took up their positions on the beach.

Music was being relayed over the Tannoy system which would soon be telling us when the bomb was being dropped. Some disc jockey in Honolulu was playing "Short, Shorts". For the first time in months everyone was in long trousers.

They were all in position now with their backs to the area where the bomb was being dropped. Smoking, talking together and waiting.

Harding was thinking how long it woud be before his wife would have the baby and if he would ever see it.

Suddenly, at exactly 7.30am, the Tannoy went silent and then the announcement: "Valiant Aircraft is airborne and clear of the airfield."

Now came the wait while the aircraft completed a few navigational runs over the dropping area, then they would be told whether it was to be a live or dummy run.

Harding thought of the ships patrolling just outside the dropping area. How he wished he was on one now instead of being crouched down on the coral beach.

"Valiant between Bravo and Chalie on a navigational run."

Time seemed to drag for Harding now. He was trying to think what his wife would be doing back home in Wales. She may even be having the baby.

"Valiant between Charlie and droppng point. Type of run unknown."

This is it thought Harding, this is it. Orders were given for everyone to turn away from the dropping area and to cover their eyes with their hands.

"The Valiant on initial live run. The Valiant on initial live run."

Please God let everything be alright thought Harding. He seemed to think he was the only one praying, but he wasn't.

"Valiant approaching dropping point. Valiant apoproaching dropping point."

Now the countdown before the release - 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3,2, 1 weapon away!

Now the countdown before the explosion.

Who will ever forget those last 10 seconds. Knowing that the bomb was falling through the air, A quickening of the heatbeat, a tightening of the chest. Were these the last few seconds of life?

ZERO. NOW! This is it! God, the heat! The flash! A groan went up from the man on the beach as they felt the heat and saw the flash through their hands.

The voice from the tannoy broke the silence. "Stand up and face the Bomb. Stand up and face the Bomb." The voice seemed quite excited.

Harding, along with a few thousand others, stood up and turned to face the thing that had caused him so much worry. It made him gasp. A never-to-be-forgotten sight of the huge fireball, the coloured, boiling, seething mass of gases was frightening, yet beautiful and powerful. Harding thought he might have been in a cinema watching a science fiction film.

Clouds seemed to be racing away as the sonic bang spread out from the great fireball, which apeared to be changing into a mushroom of cloud and colour.

Now for the bang. It reached the men on the beach like a crack of thunder and rolled across the sky like an echo. Thank God for that said Harding. Thank God for that.

Four hours later Harding received a telegram informing him that he was the father of a 91b baby boy.

Without doubt, a day to remember.

"The Valiant is on a navigational run between Alpha and Bravo."

Time for the anti-flash gear to be put on, a lot of good that would do if anything did go wrong. Still it was something.

Submitted by P C H (Taff) Evans (Ch.Island 1957-580

PAGE 4 *

MERSEYSIDE

LONDON Peter Fletcher, several other members. Pam and myself attended the funeral of aoed 56°leS ^^°n’ ^amPsb‘re' ^obn Passec* away on ^ew ^ears ^

J^lcemTlet/ie morial appeal be mg held by Canon Rayling'°!a smairbut generous audience attended the show at Croxteth RBL. It was strange, but the few who came

I also attended the funeral of Ken Hall (R.E.) of Sunbury-on-Thames. and the PhaTrSedemateouj members"^Lond^Region write to their respective

KnvtaJsTo' jj£S3» &°' °rderin9 ^ '** ASS°Ciali°n

Member s of Parliament because we feel we need to keep the B.N.T.V.A. in the political as well as the public eye.

On February 19. the debate in the House of Commons on Freedom of Information mentioned the difficulties experienced by veterans in obtaining information and the secrecy involved.

The good news is that the Miimstry of Defence is reviewing documents retained beyond the thirty year rule. The bad nev/s is that this does NOT mean they will be released.

Our next meeting was scheduled for March 213 at the Royal British Legion, Station Road. Marlow, Bucks, and on Sunday March 28 at the Royal Engineers Museum. Brompton Barracks, Gillingham. Kent. Peter Fletcher said he would attend the latter meeting.

Qn Saturday February 27. Peter Fletcher, Terry (Spoons) Mercer and myself attended the dual dedication of the Standard and memorial Stone at Paisley. I travelled to Scotland with our Chaplain Canon Nicholas Frayling and we had a pleasant trip North.

Nicholas was again on excellent form for the service and as our Chairman said, he never misses the wall. The provost and the Council of Paisley did us proud with the organisation and hospitality, the finale being a superb reception with salmon galore, Many trhanks Paisley!

The next item on the agenda is the Dedication in Wales. Peter and Iwill be going to mate contacts with clergy etc, and get the organisation off the ground. Hopefullythe dedication will take place in June, but that is for the branches to say.

As many °f y°u know, I was in hospital for a spinal operation in November. Many thanks for the good wishes I received.

Ken Taylor NORTH EAST ENGLAND AT the present time of writing I find it unbelievable and disgusting that the result of the NRPB study has been held back until the end of July. It would appear to myself, that once again the M.o.D. and Government are going through the report while the people it affects (the veterans) are being left in the dark.

If this is so. then once again it means that a whitewash could be in he process of being prepared and excuses being drawn up in advance of its release or compensation is being looked into. The latter, in my mind, looks the most unlikely It is, without doubt, a very bad state of affairs for them to be allowed to prepare themselves in advance while our Association has to sit back and have the facts ffi&ZSSS^faSkin9V*a,We o be ore we have even had time to read and digest it.

T it .. ,| ,, .. . , Two peices of information I gleaned from reading documents concerning the USA tests, are that flm badges in the 1950’s could not be made accurate. In fact, due to manufacture, they were acknowledged to have an innacuracy of 30% minus or positive. On top of that, further innacuracies occurred during film processing and reading and it is admitted that several laboratories found badges exposed to known amounts of radiation to be innacurate by 100% minus or positive. So much for film badges!

Other info I have learned is that one in 10,600 is the norm for people to acquire multiple myeloma. Yet when I attended a meeting with N.R.P.B. a few years ago, I asked the ratio and was told they believed it to be 1 in 5,500. Just how wrong can they be? Multiple myeloma, as you know, is a disease that is expected to be found in a group exposed to radiation and it WAS found in the NRPB report. Let us wail and see t how many more cases have developed since in our membership because this is one definite indication that men were exposed to radiation on the Nuclear tests and it follows that when that is revealed then many other types of cancer and health problems would have occurred and that would put paid to M.o.D. past claims.

Mi1(6 Reid

Chris Rowlands PS: Peter Fletcher now has an additional job within the Association - FLAG OFFICER.

WEST MIDLANDS KM DURING the past quarter, the branch has had a little more trhan its fair share of illness. It seems it never rains but it pours, but as sure as winter is followed by spring, it would appear we are coming out of the woods, Vic Jones, retired sea-going fellow, has had rivets fitted to both knees. These are commonly known as the Seagoing variety (swivelling to front and rear) and this allows Vic to walk as if he is sober. However, the instructions were to keep them wel10lled with alcoho1 and he is following the instructions reluctantly. We al wish Vic a speedy recovery and we will encouage him with "races to the bar" at each meeting * wou!d P°jnt ,hat Vic has deen havin9 treatment courtesy of the Royal Naval {JSS!; trinnc 1 2nnthor nnin» ^^ .u.,, u a^eonly^keentohTourTse^cemen wlproblems. ^ P $ John ward had serious problems and found the civilian medics were quite prepared to operate immediately for around 21000. Or he could wait 4-5 months and have it done on the NHS. Remembering how the navy had helped Vic Jones, I got in touch with the RAF Hospital at Wroughton and they were extremely helpful and courteous.

I was requested to write to John's GP and ask him to write asking them to operate, Imagine our great surprise when John had his operation within THREE WEEKS - not by the RAF Hospital, but by the same guy who offered todo it for £1000.

That greedy consultant was £1000 worse off because of am little knowledge that originated from Nobby Clarke - and thank you for your experience.

Anne Chew is at present undergoing treatment and we would like to wish her wll.

We also mention Barbara Tivendale in our prayers as she too is under the medics.

Mike Rubry seems to have recovered successfully from his hernia and it would give me great pleasure to say he got it from reaching for his wallet to buy us a drink. But everyone knows Mike as a generous and kindly chappie. All he best Mike.

Finally, this pari applies to every single member of the Association. We can only succeed by helping each other, none of us is totally independent in our quest for justice. There are times, as branch representative. I feel the last thing I wish to do is attend a monthly meeting and I would rather go to bed. I am sure I am not the only 0ne’but as y0ur rePresentative 1 Pul1 myse,f together and go along, tired and weary,

C^lh^ala'nd^M was weU attended'bvveteransfrorn^Noveflhecounlnflt'was*1 S ™ 1? done mainly to remember all the men wo set sail from Portsmouth 41 years ago to embark on Britain s first Nuclear Test at Monte Bello. At the service a bench was blessed by the Provost of Portsmouth, the Very Reverend David Stancliffe snd also officiating was Cllr Mike Hancock who has helped the BNTVA so much in local activities. In his speech he said he hoped all those who used the bench would take a few meoments to read the plaque and remember the debt we owe the veterans.

If I was fortunate enough to receive some form of compensation, which I might never do, I would not stop giving support to those who have received nothing as they are just as important to this organisation as anyone else. What I am trying to say is that there are many people giving undying support who are fit and well. I do feel quite genuinely that if everybody stopped supporting rhe organisation when their pension “ofme “one ol^^ylotfbranch members and rarely misses a meeting. Several other members haie received monies and they too give support. I wj$h evefy0ne success, but in God's name, do not foraet those who helped you.

They nee£ your suppor1 more than ever EDITORS NOTE: We endorse Archie's sentiments. If you receive a pension please noafy Ken McGinley or your rep who will notify Ken for you. Thank you to those who have already done this, especially those who donated part of the pension award to the Association to hep continue the fight. Please do not join the ‘FUJIA" club if you are successful with your claim. This club is somethingto do with "Jack Being Alright“.

Dave Riley

Archie Ross

PORTSMOUTH

PAGE 5

WEST YORKSHIRE

SOUTHAMPTON IT is with regret that I have to report three deaths. Firstly, JACK SCOLES. who joined the RAF before his eighteenth birthday and completed 22 years service in the catering service section.

He was stationed in Cyprus, Hong Kong, Gan in the Indian Oceon, plus 13 months on Christmas Island from June 1958. he was demobilised from RAF Cottishall, Norfolk, as a Sergeant .On Christmas Island he worked in the officers mess.

John first became ill in June 1990 and died at the Cancer MacMillan unit at Christchurch Hospital. Dorset, on January 1 this year.

The funeral took place at New Milton on January 14 and in attendance were our own Standard bearer, Dave Riley and the Royal British Legion bearer. The Association was represented by Peter Fletcher, Ken and Pam Taylor, Bill and Yvonne Kittsen, Stan Hardwick, Len and Jacquie Hickman, Bobbie and John Brewster.

Meridian Television were there to record and did some interviews with Peter and John's wife Mary. The interview went out on January 21. The church was packed with his many friends and family.

NOTE: John and I visited John on December 31 and we were struck by the dignity and fighting spirit he displayed till the end. It is a picture we will carry with us always. God bless John.

RALPH THOMPSON died on Boxing Day. Major Ralph Thompson, MBE, was born in Leeds, the son of a Colonel in the Border Regiment. Ralph enlisted in the Royal Engineers in 1946 and two years later he was posted to the Far East and spent several months on Christmas Island during the 1957 Tests. Last September he went for a routine operation which ultimately revealed he was suffering from leukemia.

MONTE Bello veteran. DENNIS LOFTS (1952 Tests) served on HMS Zeebrugge RN. He originally came from London. After leaving the Navy, he became a water bailiff near Winchester. He became Rights of Way Warden for more than 80 parishes from Marlborough to Malmesbury in 1988. Dennis was one of my original members of the Southampton group. He died of cancr at the age of 65.

WE send our heartfelt feelings to the widows of all the menbers who have passed away this year and we want you to know that we do know just how each family and close member of that family must feel.

But always remember, you are not alone for there is always someone there to try and help you and give you some comfort.

I and the representatives always try to be present at the funerals of those members when we can make it. Sometmes though I have to be elsewhere on that particula date, but my thoughts are always with the families and if they ever need someone to talk to then I will always be there at the end of the phone.

Remember that you are not alone because there is also the family of veterans who are there should you ever need us.

Bill Kittsen NORTH and MID WALES A date for your diaries • please support the Dedication Memorial Service at South Wales on June 12t at 2pm. Details are given in this editionb by Peter and Gron.

May I ask if any veterans could consider making a donation, particularly the Welsh veterans.

Peter Bullen WALES THE next major event to be held in Wales will be at RISCA Memorial Gardens on Saturday 12th JUne whren theb Right Honourable Neil Kinnock. MP. will unveil a plaque in memory of Welsh veterans.

Bobbie Brewster

f

Don't ignore your right to claim a widows pension AST year I wrote saying there were 263 widows on my books. That number has now risen to over 325.

L

Some of them have died and some are over 70 years old and think it is not worth claiming a pension.

I wonder how many more there are that we don't know about. I wish the widows would come forward.

We can only stress the fact that they are entitled to claim a War Widows Pension (which is untaxed).

Not all are fortunate but but their name would be on the list if the NRPB study is recognised by the Government and compensation is paid.

It appears that many widows are left to their own devices in claiming a pension and when the

first appeal is rejected they feel devastated and wonder what happens next.

I get a number of phone calls asking if it is worth following through. Ladies, you cannot give up now, we are here to help.

May I ask once again for Area Representatives to let me know of any new widows in their respective areas because this is quicker than waiting for the list to be sent out.

In the latest RBL magazine, there is a comment stressing that they have the qualified people to deal with claims. This would save claimants paying heavy expenses to solicitors.

Mavis Gardner Widows representative

Peter Williams

Survey review taking too long MIKE Doyle wrote to NRPB saying that in the last 15 months the Association had been advised of successive completion dates for the review of Original Survey. Cancer and Mortality Amongst Test Paticipants.

He said the most recent had been January 1993 and then February.

We have heard since, he said, through a third party member of the team, it will not be until after July.

"We are most concened that completion will not be before July (assuming no more delays), that there have been so many postonements and. in spite of our continuing co-operation it has never been considered necessary to advise our Association of any change in the situation.

"We would therefore be grateful if you could advise what completion date is now anticipated and whether there has been any particular reasons for the postponements. ' We would also like to know if, at this stage, if our Committee will be allowed sight of the Review subject to agreeing to any necessary embargo, prior to any press Conference, which was not the case last time."

DR DUNCAN, NRPB Medical Adviser, replied: "These projects take a long time and exprience shows that all the unexpected facators make for delays rather than speeding things up. However, we have now received almost all the data we require and we are moving into the analysis phase. We hoped to have a report in the summer.

"However, the process of peer review and publication, which is not under our control, will also take some time. We do all recognise the need to get the report out as quickly as possible, consistent with the over-riding need for a rigorous scientific analysis. We have not. as yet, discussed with the MOD how the report should be released, but note your comments."

Page 6 • *

T

WE have already been running lotteries on behalf of the B.N.T.V.A. and raising money for your Association.

Now you could help B.N.T.V.A. (1992) by buying lottery tickets direct and also winning big CASH and GOODIES prizes for yourself.

Thousands of cash prizes MUST be won on our instant game cards. And hundreds of other prizes too, like Camcorders, Video's, Hampers, Washing Machines, Toasters and Televisions are on offer.

Tickets are ONLY 20p each and you can order as many as you wish just by calling our Freephone number listed below. ^4 .

t

a

ft ■v:,a

Send postal orders and/or cheques to The Promoter KEN TAYLOR, B.N.T.V.A. Lottery, 56 Eastbourne Road, Stratford, London El5

Y NEWS! Become an agent and earn extra cash for yourself.

Full details by ringing FREEPHONE 0800-526-408

i

Page 7

Chairman's Report YOU are all possibly aware that the second N.R.P.B. report as been delayed yet again and may NOT even be concluded in July.

I realise that this is a bitter blow to many of you, both veterans and widows, as many of you are being advised to await these results to determine if the illness or death is of higher incidence in the study.

I have no intention of putting the blame for this at anyone's doorstep, but this I can say: "This Association's patience is now exhausted."

The Executive Committee together has agreed to take immediate action for justice, common sense and a step in the right direction.

To many of our veterans have died prematurely and unnecessarily. Six or more have died in the past few weeks and had we been properly monitored, many lives could have been saved.

During the British Nuclear and Atomic Weapons Testing programme, many servicemen who participated were still, by law, classed as minor's and therefore unable to sign and enter a legal contract (i.e. you could not vote until you were 21 so many of us were still minor's and experimenting with minor's is illegal).

Without going into detail of our intentions, let me assure you that e have had enough ducking and diving by the Ministry of Defence.

OUR thoughts today are with our recent widows and bereaved families, Mrs Mary Scoles, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Joan Davies and The Lofts Family.

John Scoles carried his sense of humour right to the end; Reg Davies of HMS Newfoundland and Dennis Lofts of HMS Zeebrugge, all gentlemen to the end and an honour to have known them. A quiet prayer was said for all at the recent dedication and memorial service in Paisley Abbey.

ON Saturday 27th February, 1993, a new B.N.T.V.A. Standard for Scotland was blessed and dedicated in Paisley Abbey and this was followed by the unveiling, dedication and blessing of a memorial stone.

I have many people to thank, Bob Smith, Peter Fletcher, Chris Rowlands and, of course, our Canon Nicholas Frayling, to name but a few.

The turnout was excellent. Nobby Clark, Dennis Mills and Brian Chamberlain travelled up from Birmingham with the National Standard. Canon Frayling, Bishop Mone and the Reverend Kay did us proud with excellent services.

Gordon McMaster, MP, read out the many greetings and letters of support from the House of Lords, the House of Commons and a special one from Her Majesty, The Queen.

Stewart Robinson read the lesson in the Abbey and at the following reception/buffet, kindly laid on by Renfrew District Council, Provost William Orr made a first class speech supporting the aims and objectives of the Association.

To our Scottish veterans and all others who attended, I wish to thank you all for the marvellous turnout despite the freezing cold weather.

Don't forget the AGM at Blackpool on April 24. I eagerly look forward to meeting you all there again.

Ken McGinley

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Page 8

NOTICE BOARD...!

The following message to the Association's widows comes from Peter Fletcher with help from Sheila Gray in finding the right words to say.

IT has been sadly noticed that you are growing in number and it is also noticed that we do not see many of you at our Memorial Services and our AGM. Painful though it might be, please make an effort to attend these services and, especially our next AGM in Blackpool on Saturday April 24,1991 You will be made most welcome and you are certainly our most respected and thought of members.

Some of you have pointed out to me how you dread 'being alone" or getting the feeling you are only welcome socially by other widows. This is not true.

You are one and part of us as were your husband's and you always will be. So please make an effort to join us in Blackpool and try to be one close knit family.

If you need help in finding accommodation in Blackpool, please give me a call and I will assist all I can. Come on ladies, do your best, we are all in the same fight for justice DENIS SHAW of Whitby would like to hear from members of E& M Troop, 73 C.l. Squadron Royal Engineers. To name a few - Bernie Hoskins, Bob Walters, Taffy Bartlett, Gibson, Molyneux, Sanderson, Petite and Wullie Simpson, all Christmas island 1958-59. Denis can be reached on 0947-85570.

CHRIS CHRISTOLDO (Christmas Island 1957-58) is organising a Christmas Island veterans reunion on Saturday, 18th September, 1993.. There will be a buffet, dancing etc and dress is optional (jeans, Hawaian shirts etc). It takes place a te Bull and Bush, 1 Kew Road. Richmond, Surrey, and Chris requires a deposit of £5.50 perperson as soon as possible to cover the cost of the buffet, he can be reached on 081-940-5768 or 081-948-5130. Hurry though because numbers are limited and he already has 94 applications.

ABOVE: The photograph shows Test Veterans and other members of the BNTVA at Portsmouth Cathedral in February after the memorial service marking the 41st anniversary of the first ship to sail from Portsmouth to Monte Bello Islands on February 19,1952, with servicemen to take part in Britain's Nuclear Test programme. Sitting on the bench donated by the Portsmouth branch the group includes: Back Row - Ken Gower, Mrs Betty Dannett, Jim McKessack, John Wheeler, Bill Coffey, Sid Hardwick, Mrs Gower. Front row - Susan, Mrs McKessack, Mrs Coffey.

PETER (Taff) EVANS (C.l. Navy party 2512 - Sept 1957-June 1958) wants to hear from old mates.

Taff says he used to show the films at Port Camp cinema and he was also coxswain of the cutter which took personnel to and from the ships.

Contact him on 0222-733315.

ANOTHER call for old mates comes from Dave Gammon who would like to hear from members of 12th Independent Field Squadron Royal Engineers (Christmas Island early 1958 to early 1959). Dave says he has never heard or met any of his old pals since 1959 and would love to hear from them. He can be reached on 0303-813520.

ON Wednesday March 24,1993, Mrs Marilyn Hall of Leicester was due to present a garden seat to Leicester City Council to be placed in Glenfield County Hall gardens in memory of her late husband, Councillor John Hall. The Lord Mayor of Leicester has agreed to accept the seat on behalf of the council.

DOES anyone remember Craftsman Gerald Ives (R.E.M.E. Chnstmas island 1957-58)? Gerald was a sign painter on the Island, but sadly he was taken ill in 1977 and died in 1980. His sister and family know very little of Gerald's Army service on the Island and would appreciate hearing from anyone who knew him.

His sister, Mrs Catherine Forbes, can be contacted in Catterick Village, North Yorks, on 0748-818492.

MR S. E. King of 53 Warrenwood Road Rochester, Kent, has written to say he wasJn R°yal NavY

SmASn ...

In the engine room branch and would like to hear from some of his old shipmates, Go on, drop him a line.

CALLING veterans and members in Wales. Don't forget Saturday June 12th in Risca. We are having the dedication of the new Wales BNTVA Standard and unveiling ol memorial stone. Donations towards cost of standard to Peter Williams or Peter Bullen.

i

ABOVE: Chris Rowlands of the Merseyside branch presents our Chaplain, Canon Nicholas Frayling, with a gift of an electronic diary on October 3, 1992, as a token of gratitude from the branch for the work he dos on our behalf. Left to right: Peter Fletcher, Canon Nicholas Frayling and Chris Rowlands.

MY name is David Rea and I served on Christmas VISITING the Isle of Wight? If so Ron Bostwick Island. After 28 years hard campaigning for a (0983-854706 or 852956) would like to hear from pension and being repeatedly turned down, I you. Ron was on Main Camp, Royal Engineers, for received a hearing in 1992, but I practically had to Grapple X. Here's a chance to talk over old times. prove I was even on the Island.

I would like to say I have now been successful MICHAEL Evans of 6 Mav Grove. Charfield, Nr W-VEdge, Gloucester GU2 8$X, would like to hear from TwoSld Implore a'nyo^whoTeeMitegiving up to old friends from Christmas island December 1959 to hang on in there and I pray more of you will be December 1960 (Royal Engineers) Some names he can recall are McGhee. Buckley, Higgins, Dawes, .. (BNTVA) c— H Donnichie. Les Crossley. Doyle. Doggart, Coggins and veterans.

Richardson. Mike says he is in touch with John Coyle.

TO write out names and addresses on some 2000 Drop him a line now, envelopes takes a a lot of work and time. In our ANOTHER plea to contact old pals comes from Christmas issue we enclosed sticky labels asking you George Strode of 30 Tilers Way, Woodhatch, to fill our your name and address then return to us to Reigate, Surrey RH2 7PL. He wants to hear from assist in the despatch of the magazine former Christmas Island mates from 1960 (Hygiene To those who complied thank you. To those who didn't, section RAF) and especially from Ted Vasey (Elvis) are we to assume you no longer want to receive the from Newcastle and Fred Shipton from Richmond. magazine.

Page 9

ICE BOARD HELP! That's the plea from Bobby Brewster who Is searching for Information so that a history of Marchwood Military Port can be written. Any amusing stories or other Information (photos later) on the following subjects please: ROYAL ENGINEERS: 17 Port Training Reat, R.E. Diving School, Korea; Chlstmas Island (Operation Grapple, port Troop); Suez/Cyprus (Operation Muskateer); Port Task Forces, 81,82,83 and 276 Regiments, Aer Rail.

Members of Port Troop Operation Grapple, please get in touch as I am told a reunion can be arranged at Marchwood Military Port in conjunction with the New Forest RE Association. Bobbie Brewster can be phoned on 0703-844489 or write to her at 61 Cedar Road, Hythe, Southampton, Hants S04 6PS. SID Dilley, Chris Hughes, Ray Jackman, Brian Mesruther (all Royal Engineers, 10 Port Squadron Christmas Island 57/58) - where are you all? I have contacted Brian Dowling, now I want to contact all of you. P lease get in touch with John Brewster, 61 Cedar Road. Hythe, Southampton.

'

IN the last issue I asked "Why have the M.O.D. used the same code name in Bosnia?" Now Phil Coventry from Cornwall writes with this response: My wife and I are of the opinion Windscale was once known as Calderhali and Windscale is now known as Sellafield. The ploy could be to eradicate names from reference books so that in years to come (in the context of nuclear) someone may mention Windscale and discover that history was twisted and there never was such a place. Using the term Operation Grapple in regard to British troops in Bosnia (1992-93), would therefore seem to be a similar ploy specifically designed to cloud the issue and ultimately twist historical facts. The nuclear link is most suspicious and could mean it all comes from the same stable.

THE appeal for the Mercantile Memorial was helped by BNTVA Merseyside with a show at Croxteth and Gillmoss RBL for which we are grateful to the officers, committee, members and staff The sum of £344.1 Op was raised. Thanks to all those who helped with the raffle prizes, to all those who helped on the night and to all the artistes who appeared for expenses only.

Donations were made to the fund by the followmg:Vera And Pat Logan (Liverpool) £20; Misses E White and B Walker and J Summer (Liverpool) £30; Mr J White (Leicester) £10, Mr D Lawless (Wirral) £25 Canon Nicholas Frayling and Chris Rowlands send kind regards to all who helped and the memorial will be dedicated on Thursday May 27th, 1993, at St Nicholas Church, Liverpool. Thanks to BNTVA for £100 donation and Mr Atkins who donated a ships wheel.

ABOVE: Mrs Nancy Myall of Sussex sent in this photograph which shows her late husband Eric and four others colleagues cleaning down a Canberra bomber.

LEFT: Eric, nicknamed Mick, (third right in dark glasses) is seen in this picture with his pals on Christmas island RAF. Are you in the picture? If so give Nancy a call on 0273556233.

DON'T QUIT HERE's a short poem that came in from both Mrs D Benson (widow of John Benson) from Blackpool, and, simultaneusly the same day, from Mrs Glynda Hoult of Wakefield: When things go wrong as they sometimes will.

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill.

When funds are low and the debts are high.

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit.

Rest il you must, but donl you quit Life is queer with its twists and turns.

As everyone ol us sometimes teams.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow.

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out.

The silver tints of the clouds of doubt.

So still to the fight when you're hardest hit.

It s when things seem worse THA T YOU MUST NOT QUIT

ASSOCIATION Treasurer, Bill Kittsen, writes: "On behalf of the Executive Committee and myself, I would like to thank everyone who sent in their subscriptions during the month of January. There was so much mail that I find it hard getting around to each of you. This also goes for those people who sent in donations. Also, we wish you all the very best of health and lot's of happiness throughout the year and we look forward to seeing you at the AGM in April. So until then take great care of yourselves and keep your chin up because we are still fighting the good fight.

HERE are some vital telephone numbers for War pensions Welfare Offices if you need help or advice: Aberdeen 0224-589988. Balham 081-673-7722.

Basingstoke 0256-29171 Belfast 0232-327881.

Birmingham 021-631-4141 Bootle 051-922-4010.

Brighton 0273-27418 Bristol 0272-718311. Cardiff 0222-399766. Cork 010-3532-1272080. Dublin 0103531-601122. Dundee 0382-23211. Edinburgh 031337-9133. Euston 071-387-4366. Glasgow 041-2482755. High Wycombe 0494-527480. Isle of Man 0624676911. Leeds 0532-438232. Manchester 061-8352021. Middlesbrough 0642-245470. Newcastle 091285-0111. Newton Abbott 0626-63315. Norwich 0603622822. Nottingham 0602-291111. Portsmouth 0705370921. Preston 0772-884477. Sheffield 0742-761133 Swansea 0792-458500. Tunbridge Wells 0892-526211.

Wrexham 0978-291111.

ABOVE: This battle of the booze, sent by Maurice Green of 33 Mongleath Avenue, Falmouth. Cornwall, was taken on Christmas island in May 1957 (E&M Troop Party, Royal Engineers). He wants to know if there is anyone still around who joined the "Buffs" on Christmas Island. If so please drop him a line.

CHRIS ROWLANDS, Membership Secretary, has been given a Grapple Tie by one of our widows Mrs Lamble. Chris will order a batch to be made subject to demand. If you require a tie and sufficient are wanted, he will order accordingly.

MANY thanks from the B.N.T.V.A. (1992) to Mr Peter Wylde and his staff at the Lottery Office for making the publication and issue of this magazine possible.

r Page 10 /

British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (1992) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

I CHAIRMAN:

TREASURER:

Ken McGinley 12 Walpole Place Johnston Renfrewshire PA5 ORE Tel: 050574936

Bill Kittsen 28 Westover Green Bramley Leeds LS13 3SO Tel: 0532-360703

VICE-CHAIRMAN:

SOLICITOR:

Peter Fletcher "Monte Bello” 134 Clipsley Lane Haydock St.Helens WA11 0VB Tel: 0744-29636

Mark Mildred Panone Napier 20-22 Bedford Row London WC1R4EB Tel: 071-430-1987 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

Bobbie Brewster (Mrs) 61 Cedar Road Hythe Southampton S04 6PS Tel: 0703-844489 Mike Reid 70 Rochdale Road Redhouse Estate * Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 091-549-7620 Mike Doyle 14 Exeter Gardens Stamford Lines PE9 2RN Tel: 0780-65622

SECRETARY: Derek Heaps 4 Bakewell Drive Castle Donnington Derby Tel: 0332-811429

Chris Rowlands 14 Monksdown Road Liverpool L11 1HH Tel: 051-426-3441

tV*

Ken Taylor 56 Eastbourne Road Stratford London E15 Tel: 081-555-2644

BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES Mike Reid (England) 70 Rochdale Road Redhouse Estate Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 091-549-7620

Archie Ross (West Midlands) 230 Burton Road Woodville Nr Burton-on-Trent Staffs DE11 7JR Tel: 0283-222113

Bobbie Brewster (Mrs) (Southampton) 61 Cedar Road Hythe Southampton S04 6PS Tel: 0703-844489

Chris Rowlands (Merseyside) 14 Monksdown Road Liverpool L11 1HH Tel: 051-226-3441

Peter Bullen (North and Mid Wales) Penlan Mill Cottage LLandegai Bangor Gwynnd LLS7 4LG Tel: 0248-352708

John Jones (South Yorks) 16 Peters Road Edlington Doncaster DN12 1NJ Tel: 0709-867775

Peter and Gron Williams (South Wales) 27 Heol Myrddin Ffairfach Llandeilo SA19 6PD Tel: 0558-822141

Derek Heaps (East Midlands) 4 Bakewell Drive Castle Donnington Derby Tel: 0332-811429

Tom Kitching (Humberside) 5 Ellerby Grove Preston Road' Hull HU9 3PR Tel: 0482-793082

Dave Riley (Portsmouth) 190 Locksway Road Milton Portsmouth P04 8LE Tel: 0705-735669

Paul Rowles (Kent) 4 Huntsmans Close Rochester Kent ME1 2RD Tel: 0634-828827

Bill Kittsen (West Yorks) 28 Westover Green Bramley Leeds LS13 3SQ Tel: 0532-360703

Ken Taylor (London) 56 Eastbourne Road Stratford London E15 Tel: 081-555-2644

Widows Representative Mrs Mavis Gardner 30 Link Road Anstey Leicester LE7 7BW Tel: 0533-364737

John Lowe (Manchester) 45 Sheldrake Road Broadheath Altrincham Cheshire WA14 5LJ

Page 11

Vice Chairman's Report name ■ Members of the public; Members of the House of Lords; Members of Parliament; Members of Local Council s, Members o

,

SS^iToSct^otiofSK^TO^M^APpe^ AND FIGHT. N R P B REPORT' I will not dwell on this subject too m uch as it will be covered within the pages of your magazine. I have been in constant touch with members of the N.R.P.B. team over the years, many of whom have retired or been transferred to other assignments. In all cases the contact has been entirely amiable and friendly. I personally do not attach the whole blame for the delay on the N.R.P.B. team. I feel it is a case of "We are paying the piper so we are calling the tune."

Who are we? - The Ministry of Defence.

What are they trying to achieve?

What are they trying to prove?

We, the veterans, our widows, our children, are not crying and wallowing in self pity, but I ask them: Have we not suffered enough? We, the veterans, living and dead, did our duties for Queen and country. As a result of carrying out those duties, do we deserve this treatment?

Come on Mr Rifkin! Come on Mr Hamilton! be the Right Honourable Gentlemen you are supposed to be.. Both of you, and many of your staff, know the truth. Let the country know it too. Never mind holding tight to the purse strings. Let us have the truth and damn the cost. It is through men (and women) like us, who over the centuries have fought war's 3nd done our duty to win the name Great Britain.

Our country needed us in those days. Today we need our country!

REMEMBRANCE SERVICES. MEMORIAL STONES: OVER the years it has been my honour and privilege to organise or help organise many of these events. On October 3,1986,1 organised a small prayer service at the Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, when we cast flowers into the river and remembered our lost one's. On February 19,1987,1 did the same in Portsmouth.

Why these particular dates? On October 3,1952 our first and dirtiest test "Operation Hurricane". October 3 we want as Tests Veterans Day. February 19,1952. The advance party for that test sailed out of Portsmouth bound for the Monte Bello Islands - just 13 days after the death of our beloved King George V1. We are all delighted that these two dates are earmarked with a small service each year in Liverpool and Portsmouth at our Memorial Stone. »• Chris Rowlands and myself (thanks to the Co-operative Funeral Services Directors and staff) obtained stones for Liverpool St. Johns Gardens of Peace (North of England) and Portsmouth Old Cathedral (South of England). Ken McGinley and Bob Smith have just done the same in Glasgow's Paisley Abbey (Scotland). Now we are working for a stone in Wales. John Wheeler (Monte Bello 1952) has set the seeds.

A date is set for June 12th, 1993, at St Mary's Church, Risca, Nr Cardiff. The Rt. Hon. Neil Kinnock has promised to attend and unveil the stone which is timed for 2pm. Prior to this a new Standard for Wales will be dedicated and blessed. Following a letter from me, Alan Edwards, the Co-operative Funeral Service Regional Manager for South England and Wales, has replied saying they will gladly supply the stone and they fully support our initiatives and actions.

As in all cases, our own Canon Nicholas Frayling, will attend to officiate and assist. Once competed, this will then give us Memorial Stones in South England, North England, Scotland and Wales thus enabling us to visit these places and pay our respects to veterans gone before us. "We will remember them."

YOUR MAGAZINE: YOUR next issue (hopefully) will be in your hands two or three weeks prior to Christmas, 1993. Submissions for inclusion in this issue MUST be in my hands no later than mid-October (earlier if possible). This request applies to committee and representatives also. I regret space is limited.

Many of you send photographs or photocopies of items which are poor in quality and therefore will not reproduce clearly enough in any magazine (old black and white photo s etc). Many of you also send long items to re-print and many of you send the same Christmas Island newspapers.

Remember space is limited.

Try to keep your entries brief and to the point and we will do our best to print as many as possible.

If you require photographs or articles to be returned, please mark them clearly and include a stamp addressed envelope. They can then be returned as soon as the article has been typseset. The vast majority of requests for re-union articles to be published, come from Christmas Island veterans.

Where are the Monte Bello, Maralinga and Emu Fields bod's?

APOLOGIES: I must apologise for the delay in getting your last Christmas Special magazine out to you. This was due to re-writing names, membership etc from 3NTVA 1983 to BNTVA 1992. Thanks to Chris Rowlands, who has spent hours and hours sorting them out, we should now be straiqht and have everyone listed.

Bill Kittsen has been snowed under with work., but still found time to help us sort this out hence our introducing a membership secretary to ensure a full members list is up to date and subscriptions are paid annually.

Don't forget you need your red membership card for BNTVA 1992. If you do not have one write or phone for one right away.

Finally, a request from our Welsh members for donations towards the purchase of the Wales Standard and event on June 12th, 1993. Donations should be sent to Wales representatives Mr Peter Williams (South Wales) or Mr Peter Bullen (North and Mid Wales).

DO YOUR BEST TO ATTEND THE A.G.M. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE

Peter Fletcher

Page 12

HI

they now?

THIS article was published by the Mid Pacific News for Base Commander, Taskforce Grapple, British Forces Post Office 170 XIRS/69/2500/12/58.

Do you recognise any of the names and where are they now?

THE following requests for 18th December, 1958, in tonight's Skyliner Programme on C.I.B.S. at 8.15pm will be played for the following:Leading Aircraftsman G Allan; Sapper L M Andrews; Senior Aircraftsman Blaydes; Flying Officer Brown; Senior Aircraftsman Fred Cook; Corporal Clatworthy; Corporal Tom Duff; Leading Aircraftsman Edward Daley; Corporal D B Day; Sapper Tom Davitt; Sapper Michael Godley; Leading Aircraftsmen A Garner; Charlie Hanner; Ken and Bob; Squadron Leader Hughes; Corporal Holden; Ralph Johnson; Junior Technician John James; Sapper Little (M.T.); Sapper Eric Mitchinson; Corporal Monger; John Midwinter; Leading Aircraftsman N.Perry; William O'Neill; L/Cpl Brian Roome; Senior Aircraftsman John Rosenthal; Senior Aircraftsman Brian Russell; Corporal Saffery; Senior Aircraftsman Savings; Aircraftsman G F Smith; Leading Aircraftsman Danny Sweeney; Terry (No 23661531); Sapper Fred Uren; Sapper Wareham; FANFARE • the following people will have a record request played for them tomorrow night, 19th December, 1958, a 8pm: Arthur Andrews; Aircraftsman J F Aynsley; Johnny Brammer; Corporal Brook; Leading Aircraftsman Button; Leading Aircraftsman M Dudley; L/Cpl Firth; Terry Foster; Sapper R Faulkner; Brian Gardener; Private John Green; Tommy Gorman; Keith Merry; Sapper Mitchell; Driver Reid; Leading Aircraftsman Smith (231); Senior Aircraftsman Smith (558); Staff Sgt Strickland; Sapper Trowbridge; Snr Aircraftsman J W Whitton

Learning how you can deal with a killer!

Here's an article on stress submitted by Denis Shaw of Whitby and it's a disease that can affect us all.

IF Christmas filled you full of peace, then the New Year return to work may signal the return of that all-round enemy....STRESS. Stress is the disease of the 20th Century and is a serious widespread complaint affecting thousands of people at home or at work.

It is not so much the amount of stress in our lives which determines our stress levels, as our ability to cope with stress.

We all have a certain stress threshold which, if it is exceeded, will cause stress symptoms - and these can include ulcers, headaches, backaches, high blood pressure, mental disorders, stomach disorders and asthma.

Stress arises when we face change, challenges or threats. These can include death, divorce, accidents, illnesses, holidays, change of jobs, moving house or financial worries.

Some people suffer long­ term stress from the threat of

redundancy or constant family problems, from loneliness, depression or ill health.

The health effects can include:J High blood pressure and heart disease. Stress makes the arteries narrower, the blood thicker and the heartbeat faster, a combination which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

J Stomach or gut problems.

Stress can cause an increase in stomach acid which can contribute to ulcers. Irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and diarrhoea are also connected with stress.

J Aches and pain caused by stress can lead to headaches, backache and neck and shoulder pain.

J Skin problems like eczema and acne are often linked to stress.

J Other conditions linked with stress include cancer, baldness in men and reductions in fertility.

THE British Safety Council has devised a special stress code to help you identify causes of stress and learn ho to beat and deal with them.

For a copy of this code and more information about stress you should write t: The British Safety Council. National Safety Centre. Chancellors Road.

Hammersmith. London W6 9RS

Some of the ways you can try to avoid stressful situations include:1. Learning to deal with stress. Use relaxation techniques or exercise to counter stress.

2. Don't let things pile up. deal with small things one at a time and, if possible, avoid lot's of major life changes at one time.

3.

Let your emotions

out.

It's about time this nuclear testing was STOPPED! THERE is disturbing evidence that Atom Bomb testing is still going on today according to reports I have just received from Germany.

My friend, Herr Gerd Greune in Bonn, has written to me with details of EIGHT tests that took place in 1992.

According to his evidence there were SIX in Nevada, USA, and two in China. These are the dates: 1. March 26,1992 Nevada.

2. April 30,1992 Nevada.

3. May 21st, 1992Lop Nor/Sinklang, China.

4. June 19th. 1992Nevada.

5. June 23rd, 1992 Nevada.

6. September 18th, 1992 Nevada.

7. September 23rd, 1992 Nevada.

8. September 25th, 1992Lop Nor/Sinklang, China.

Below I have listed the number of tests that have taken place since 1945 and don't forget Nagasaki and Hiroshima were graded as "Tests".

In all there have been1,933 and this is how they are broken down: United States - 942.

Russia-715.

France -192.

Great Britain - 45.

China - 38.

India -1.

Testing must stop. Our beautiful planet Earth is slowly, but surely being destroyed. Write to Prime Minister John Major requesting he stops our nuclear weapons testing in the Nevada Desert and support a comprehensive test ban.

We have the weapons. The whole world knows what they can do so why continue testing? The money saved can be put to much better life savings services. It, I am sure you will agree, just common sense.

Peter Fletcher

Page 13

Heavy going but it's quite a load off our minds!

Re-produced from the Pacific News, Thursday 18th December, 1958. Volume 3 Number 63. Daily work 51 Port Squadron Royal Engineers: HAVE you ever looked around and wondered what sort of job it must be to unload some of the plants and stores which we use on the Island? Have you ever thought of the work involved in getting a ten ton truck, for example, ashore.

It was to answer these questions that I went down to Port. There I met Captain Downes, RE, who is the OC 51 Operating Squadron RE. He told me a little of the work done by his men.

There are the stevedores of the Island and there are 48 of them. As in civvy street these are divided into gangs and as there are usually four hatches to a ship, there are four gangs each with a Corporal in charge.

The Port Commandant is Major P Edwards, RE, and when a ship leaves Great Britain for Christmas Island, he receives a cargo list which they call "a manifest". When he gets this then he has a conference with Captain Downes to decide what equipment will be required to unload it and how many gangs will be needed.

those days there was no other method of getting ashore.

Sgt Salmon And Sgt Banks are key foreman. The job of the squadron does not end when the cargo is on the lighters - they also have to supervise the unloading from the L.C.M.'s. They are assisted in this by a detachment of 63 Field Park Squadron Royal Engineers, who work the cranes and the plant equipment necessary to get the cargo ashore.

This detachment was, until recently, under the command of Lieutenant Smith, who has now gone back to Britain. Stores have got to be loaded on board as well as unloaded equipment belonging t o A.W.R.E., some of it big and mysterious, has to be loaded and stowed so that the trim of the vessels is not disturbed on its journey home.

The working day starts at 7.30am and continues until 6.15 in the evening with a one and a quarter hour break for dinner.

Another important decision taken at this time is an estimated date for clearing the ship. This is very important as the ship must be cleared by a certain date otherwise it adds between £800-£1000 per day to the bill.

And they are often required to work until 8pm. If required, the port commandant can call upon the services of a Fijian parly t assist in the unloading. This party, under the command of Staff Sergeant Ramadrau, work alongside the Sappers either on board or ashore.

There are no docking facilities available so consequently everything has to be off-loaded on to lighters, in actual fact these are L.C.M's, manned by Royal Marines. This method of discharging a cargo calls for exceptional skill by both the men on the landing craft and the stevedores as the vessels rise and fall at different speeds in the swell.

The NAAFI have just been besieged by men wishing to buy presents either for themselves or the people back home. These goods were part of the cargo of the KINGSBURY of the Fort Constantine which are being unloaded by the stevedores at the present time,

And when it is a question of unloading a dredger weighing 60 tons, or a power pontoon weighing 50 tons, it can easily be realised that a slight misjudgement of he swell could be disastrous.

Sergeant Crabtree, who supervises the unloading at the ship, has been doing a like job for 16 years. Prior to coming to Christmas Island the squadron was in Cyprus, where the work was similar, but not quite as difficult as it is here, in fact Sgt Crabtree told me that from the unloading point of view, it was the most difficult he had ever been on and that included war time.

I spoke to another personality whilst I was there, Sergeant Salmon. He has been on the Island for more than two years and anyone who knows him must agree that he is not looking the worse for it. When he came they had to come ashore by native longboats towed by the District Commissioners Cutter The WHITE SWAN. In

I should like the men of the STEVEDORES to now that we appreciate the work that they are doing and to wish them all a very merry Christmas and the best of luck in 1959.

FOOTNOTE: Sgt Salmon and Sgt Banks are now deceased. Sgt Crabtree is traced. What of Captain Downes RE, the Port Commandant Major P Edwards RE, Lieutenant Smith RE, and Staff Sergeant Ramadarau Also what has happened to the two W. V.S. ladies, Miss Doris Backhouse and Miss Joy Sibbald?

Bobbie Brewster

Page 14

Delay in study results is fresh blow for us all!

IT is most important that we inform you there will be a six month delay before the results of the National Radiological Radiation Board study will be known.

The results will not now be published until late July * hopefully.

It is very disappointing news for everyone. If you recall, we were notified in 1990 by the Authorities that all the information relating to the health of the participants was to hand, and that our assistance was no longer required.

If we had sat back and waited we would have got nowhere. This is why we have continuously harassed and pushed to have someone make a sensible and constructive statement. This has not materialised either.

We are convinced that when the study has been completed the evidence will highlight a higher incidence of leukemia and myloma.

It is our belief that this is the reason for the delay and that the Authorities are trying to find some loophole to opt out of their legal and moral responsibilities.

We would like to congratulate our Bobbie Brewster whose eagle eye caught the obituary of Dr Frank Morgan, OBE, who died on 26th April, 1985. Morgan was a key figure in the programme of the British Atomic Tests in Australia and the Pacific between 1952-59, being the main expert in interpretation of the evidence of dust particles and debris; and to the task of which he put in hand with great foresight of monitoring and refining and improving safety standards in the nuclear Industry.

The bottom line indicates very clearly that we, the Nuclear veterans, were used for scientific curiosity for the enhancement of the Nuclear Industry.

This Government, as we can all see now, is the greatest goalshifter on record. Before the NRPB study is completed in July, we will make a statement of our intention to take our case further for recognition.

Dame Janet,

a fighter we'll miss!

OBITUARY OF DAME JANET VAUGHAN DAME Janet Vaughan, one of the greatest radiobiologists this country has known, has died at the age of 93.

Dame Janet, Principal of Somerville College, Oxford, from 1945-67, was perhaps the finest in her field and we reproduce this obituary to her as a tribute to a woman who gave Britain and the world so much.

She was an indefatigable campaigner for equal pay and status for women and was also honorary director of the MRC Unit for research on bone-seeking isotopes during the Fifties and Sixties when the long-term hazards of radioactive materials incorporated in the body were being researched and defined.

Dame Janet brought decades of experience as a medical pathlogist to an area of research dominated by physicists.

She was the senior scientist of a trio of British women doctors (the others are Dr Alice Stewart and Professor Patricia Lindop) who devoted their lives to understanding the effects of radiation on victms, and from time to time demonstrating the official under-estimates of the damage.

After her own degree from Somerville, Dame Janet went on to have a brilliant career in medicine, specialising in relationships between nutrition and bone development and formation. She became one of Britain's leading pathologists at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School (193439).

In this period she promoted many changes in medical training and sought a better understanding at Government level of the links between nutrition and physical development.

During the war she directed the Londonbased blood transfusion service and, with Dorothy Hodgkin, became more deeply involved in problems of nutrition and bone formation.

Her essential humanity emerged when

she played the crucial role in setting up and chairing a Government committee examining then problems of economic and health provision for the elderly.

It was the post-Bomb years, however, that carried her to the top as a research scientist. Several of the important isotopes produced by nuclear weapons and the nuclear industry are "bone seekers"; that is, once in the body they concentrate selectively a bone surfaces or in the red bone marrow.

As Dame Janet and others demonstrated, some isotopes - such as those of plutonium and americum - are excreted so slowly that once they enter the body they are effectively retained throughout life.

A series of specialist papers culminated in 1973 with the collation of international research in a definitive monograph, The Effects of Radiaton on thev Skeleton.

In it Dame Janet revealed not so much what was known at that time, but how much was neither known or understood.

What was all too clear was that some forms of radiation, particularly tissue incorporated radionuclides which concentrate in specific organs and emit alpha particles, are many times more likely to produce cancer than a comparable dose of X-rays.

This was already known in a general sense. Dame Janet spelt out the bio­ chemistry and radiobiology.

Those who knew her professonally always admired the precision and lucidity with which she attacked a problem and the careful way she would avoid comment on radiobiological subjects to which she felt she had insufficient knowledge.

Quiet, dignified, always watchful and sympathetic, Dame Janet could be sharp with those who triedto push a point of view without scientific evidence.

In a world in which radiobiology usually depends on people who lack a full medical training, she will be seriously missed.

Lessons Ministers should learn ■^"HERE are few, if any, Ministers in I Government, or Members in I Opposition, who have experienced first hand the spirit of loyalty and comradeship which makes up the ex­ services.

Much needs to be done to improve our veterans and families lot. Human lives count more than balance sheets or so-

called National interest.

When people are thought of as a statistic it’s all too easy to sacrifice them for market share or for showing a surplus on the books.

The veterans problem carries a reminder for the Government and citizens everywhere, when faced with hard choices Authorities must get their

priorities right and take prompt action.

When faced with bureaucratic coverup's, we must continue t o hammer away at the wall of silence until the truth comes out Without such vigilance there can be no safe or just society.

Bobbie Brewster

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Wingfield Hotel 4 Wimbourne PI, New Sth Prom, Blackpool. □Fully licensed □B/B & evg meal □Full c/heating □All rooms en-suite □Tea-coffee facilities □Large car park □£18pp (b/b e/meal) per night

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TEL: 0253-43364

Anchorage Hotel;

San Remo

(Licensed Private Hotel)

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38 Shaw Road (opp promenade)

18 Withnell Rd, Blackpool. □Car □ Bar lounge parking (limited). □Sun lounge with TV. □Teacoffee facilities in all □ En-suite room, bedrooms available

□£11 b/b per night £13 b/b evg meal □ Tea makers all rooms □£16.50pp (BB/ Evg meal) I □ Free child places per night) Ring MARLENE on B I □ Full central heating 0253-41771 or s.a.e. I I TEL: Jan Harris from above address B ■ 0253:44141

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Fernlea Select Self Contained Flats 70 Station Road, Blackpool.

D Open all year □Parking space □Convenient for South Pier, Promenade, Sandcastle and Pleasure Beach a£6pp per day l

TEL: 0253-43362

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Sandalwood IL-1

Southside

: HOLIDAY FLATS

22 Osborne Road, South Shore .Blackpool. 1|1 □All flats self contained □Sleeps 2-6 □Fully fitted - electric metered □Bedding supplied □50yds from Promenade,Sandcastle, Pleasure Beach JTerms from £7pp per day TEL: 0253-46512 _____ Jenny Williams

Langroyd Private Hotel

64 Station Road, Blackpool. □Clean modern flatlets □Close to all amenities □Constant hot water included in competitive tariff from £6 per day Proprietors: Barry and Marie Sturt TEL: 0253-49302

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47 Station Road (opp South Pier), Blackpool.

TEL: 0253-42263 Our 13th year at iMiigroyd and we look forward to another happy and successful 1992. Members of BNTVA and associates always welcome.

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□ Fully licensed □ Excellent .. menus □ Modern bedrooms with tea making facilitries and tv's □ No meters □ Some en-suites □ Lovely dining room, comfortable lounge and frindly licensed bar □ All the amenities needed to help you enjoy your stay □CISpp (b/b & evg meal) PROPRIETOR: TREVOR COX

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Bond Hotel

Glenmere Hotel

120 Bond St. South Shore,Blackpool

7 Gynn Avenue,, North Shore, Blackpool TEL: 0253-51259 Irene and Patrick welcome you to their licensed hotel where you are assured of good home cooked English meals in a friendly atmosphere. Situated in a quieter area of Blackpool, but only 15 minutes walk North of the Tower and 75yds from the promenade, trams and buses. All rooms en-suite. Parking available S £15pp per night (bed, breakfast and evening meal) '' i

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A welcome awaits both able and disabled people.

We have 45 bedrooms - all ensuite - and special disabled facilities Telephone: 0253-41218 Viisitors: 0253-404877

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Holiday Flatlets

□ Clean modern flats, fully equipped for 2-6 persons, bedding provided and colour television . 4 □ 50yds from promenade and Sandcastle □ Own keys - large private car park □ Terms from £6pp per day Syd Harris (Ex-Christmas island) 68 Station Road, Blackpool SS Proprietress: Mrs I Harris TEL: 0253-47620 r-'/0

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Sham-Bek Hotel t

24 Alexandra Road > Blackpool SS

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J Under the personal supervision of Pauline, Charles and Glen JParking available J£15pp (B/B and evening meal) per night

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Telephone: 0253-46103 Visitors: 0253-42074

The GRANVILLE Licensed Hotel 12 Station Road, Blackpool SS Phone Pat and Wilt Taylor on 0253-43012 for details Situated opposite South Pier and faclities include: Sun lounge with colour TV; Licensed bar with pool table; Spacious separate dining room; bar snacks; showers; full c/heating; Open all year.

All bedrooms include colour TV, teacoffee facilities; radio-intercom; shaver and power points; baby listening. £15 pp per night (B/B & evening meal)

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