mmm EASTER 1995 edition
MAGAZINE
Sheila's journey proves a success for George! BY SHEILA GRAY
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HAVE just spent three months in Australia (NSW) and whilst there I met up with both British and Australian Nuclear veterans, They all made me very welcome and I loved their pace of life. First you take a few days to think about something, then a few more days to decide whether or not to do it. After that comes the hard part - actually doing it. Of course, after the effort you need a few more days to recover. I wonder how many of the MoD staff originate from there. Anyhow, I met a few men off IIMAS Sydney and I am pleased to say their health is good. They asked me to pass on their best wishes to you all. However, it was a different story with our veterans over there especially one, George Parker, whose story I will tell. Whilst there I applied for a pension for him and even though it was over the Christmas period, within three weeks he had received a date for his medical. Why can't our country move this fast. I also promised him help in contacting some of his old shipmates. So here is his story. George served as a stoker aboard the Campania at the Monte Bello Test in 1952 and his main job was boiling down the sea water to 'purify it' for drinking etc. Eventually this pure water ran short so he had to pump sea water on board to be used for washing, laundry and hose down the heli copters which were constantly landing. At one time, after much usage, the coils were taken out of the evaporator for clean ing. A geiger counter was held over them and it went berserk. Of course, by then everyone had drank or cooked with the
ABOVE: Sheila goes ’Bush Riding’ with George Parker during her visit. water and bathed in it. He also told how the generators were sucking in sea w'ater all the time and after berthing in Sheerness he spent the next 8-9 months refitting the generators, none of which were ever decontaminated - and nor was he. All this, as with many of you, without the use of protective clothing. He suf fered a particularly nasty and rare can cer. How can the MoD sit back in their safe chairs and say you were all safe!
George would like to hear from any one who remembers him and also to be told what happened to the Campania after he left it in September 1953. He went out to Australia to live in 1966 and has lost contact with everyone. If anyone out there can help, especially with the fate of the Campania, please write to him at: Bush Lodge, Kader Street, Bargo 2574, NSW, Australia Gate of Oldham).
Crisis time for our funds SPECIAL PLEA BY BILL KITTSEN
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T is with some sadness and dismay that I write to say our funds are reaching an all time low. On checking our records, we were appalled to discover liter ally that hundred's of members have not paid subscriptions for years - yes, YEARS. It costs just £5 per annum, i.e. lOp per week. Is that asking too much? It is imperative that subscriptions be paid in because it is these monies that keep us afloat. In fact, if it was not for the lottery and generosity of the peo ple who print our magazine, provide envelopes for same, and those wonderful members who send in donations, we the BNTVA would not be able to survive. Many members introduced Associate Members, their wives, their children, their friends. We need their support and our gratitude goes out to them also. Thanks also go out to the Branches who hold their own funds and donate substantial amounts to the general funds the most recent from our West Midland branch. Without fail, to those who donate extra, again we thank you very much. To those who win their appeals and are awarded lump sums, pensions, and show their appreciation and gratitude by donating extra, again we thank you very much. We are all in the same boat. We all struggle for recognition and justice. So why oh why do so many of you sit back and neglect to send in subscriptions? Please, I beseech you, if you are a Nuclear test veteran then support your association. Please don't sit on the fence watch ing, then if something breaks through jump off the fence waving your flag and shouting: "I am a Test veteran." Our fight has been ongoing for 12 long years and it is not over yet. We continue to fight and to do so we needs funds. So please, in case you have forgotten, your Association needs your support and subscriptions. Take this reminder and act NOW moreso because our case is now in the European Court of Human Rights. Members subscriptions - £5 per annum; Associate members - £2.S0p per annum; donations etc, all payable to the BNTVA and sent to me. Many thanks. See you in Blackpool on April 29th for the annual general meeting.
A service to remember MRS Marilyn Hall is pictured above with Bill Plewright, President of the Australian Ex-Services Atomic Survivors Association and big Geoff Butler at the Kings Park War memorial, Perth, Western Australia. Geoff, now living in Australia, served in the illustrious 71 Field
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Squadron R.E. at the 1952 Monte Bello “Operation Hurricane" Test. The picture was taken at the Remembrance Service in November last year. Four hours later Marilyn was on the plane flying home to us. Geoff and his wife Isa (wee Scots lass) send their greetings to us all.
AGM: NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (1992) will he held on Saturday 29th April 1995 (1.30pm). The venue will be The Horsehoe Bar, Blackpool, and admission to the said meeting is by current Membership Card. Election of Officers And Exec/Cttee Nominations for election should be in the hands of the Association Secretary 21 clear days before the annual general meeting. Proposed and seconded
Address for nominations and proposals: Mr D Heaps, 4 Bakewell Drive, Donnington, Derby. Signed for and on behalfof the Association by Mr Peter Fletcher. Vice Chairman. Dated 28/2/95
ABOVE: Scrap park viewed from the REME workshops in 1959.
ABOVE: Richard Bonas with Allan Floyd with a stripped out truck.
Some of us did attempt to clear our own mess! BY RICHARD BONAS I READ John Leuchar’s article ("Christmas Island - Footprints we left in the sand") with much surprise and sadness in the December issue of the BNTVA magazine. Because I learned of the dreadftil mess we, the British, have left behind in the form of rusting hulks of trucks of every description, bulldozers, mobile cranes, drums of bitumen etc etc, lying all over the place derelict and useless. I share John's disgust at what he saw and has so vividly described and I would share his embarrassment as being partly responsible also. But may I put forward some counter-evi dence that some of us cleared our own mess up, or tried to, in 1959. I was also a REME craftsman at Christmas Island from December CpI.Ron Redfern with Chunky and 1958 to November 1959. For the first two months of my year there, I named Mickleson. was employed on the scrap park adja We had an old portable wind-up cent to the REME workshops on gramaphone, six steel needles and Main Camp. one 78rpm record - "The Tale of With other REME craftsmen I dis Two Cities, The Story of Two mantled or removed any item worth Loves" by Mantovani and his keeping from the numerous scrapped orchestra. and clapped out army trucks, trailers, We played this record continu and vehicles of all types, and other ously over a two week period of scrapped equipment of all shapes and indoor shelf building which sizes, storing salvaged items such as helped us to acclimatise a bit. dynamo's, starter motors, fuel tanks, This could be called "Desert wheels, tyres, seats, batteries, in fact Island Disc?." However, I anything which could be used again. digress. These parts were placed in a scrap What is important to remember store for future use which I had is the fact that the Royal helped to shelve out and build from Engineers with their massive scrap timber with a REME bloke CaterpiUar Bulldozers dug a sys-
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Johnny with the Sapper crane lilting part ot a wrecked truck. tern of enormous trenches 8feet deep by 20 feet wide by lOOyards long in the sand whilst other Sappers operating enormous cranes lifted the stripped out trucks etc and placed them side by side in the water filled trenches. As each trench was filled up, the Sapper bulldozers covered them over with sand. Apart from a slight ridge in the sand you would not have known anything had been buried there at all. A really neat job. I do wonder now how much all this burying of vehicles and such has affected the Island's ecology and even the water supply from
underground wells etc. I didn't think of that at the time, nor prob ably did anyone else, but we tried to clear our mess up. It’s a great pity that the "Rear Parties" or whoever was last to leave the island and who would have been responsible for tidying up (or the obvious lack of it) couldn't have done a similar good job that we REME craftsmen and R.E. Sappers did in 1958-59. Perhaps they just wanted to get away from the Island as quickly as possible - after a year there I know I did.
Agony for the wildlife1 GORDON Wheldon tells me his records regarding pT " T his service on Christmas Island are "lost" and "they" will not entertain his claim for compensation. He has cataracts in both eyes and has recently been taken off the partially sighted register and put on to the blind register. The photograph on the right shows Gordon with one of the Christmas Island birds that he and other . Sappers were ordered to to find and kill off with pick axe handles - birds maimed and blinded by ' ’ ’tv the bombs. I remember my old friend the late Peter Kennedy \ telling me a similar story some years ago. Birds, helpless, unable to fly, blinded, burned, squawking with pain. The lads had to go out and put them out of their misery then put them in a heap and cremate them. Oh yes, wild life was affected, but not the Army, ^ : Navy, Royal Marines or the Air Force! Do you remember Sam Hardwick's story of Operation Hurricane, Monte bello 1952? Sid stood guard on HMS Plym the night leading up to its demise and went up on deck as dawn broke and sensed something was "missing". It took him some time to realise the difference - ii was silent. All the birds had flown. Sid asked: "Did Monte Bello birds sense danger and buzz off?" Are British nuclear weapons unique? They can ,.AV- . kill and harm the enemy, the lands and the wildlife, .,<;£>.. • S[ but they did not or do not harm British Test Veterans.
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Test case three goes to court ■ ■ ■
THE European Commission of Human Rights has informed the New York representative of the BNTVA that the appli cation of a first born child of a veteran has passed the ini tial stage of admissibility and that the UK has been requested to file "Observations" on the allegations con tained in the application. These must be filed on or before March 25,1995. This represents the third application which the BNTVA filed which has passed the first stage of admissibility. All three applications filed so far represent test cases. The first two applications were brought by test veterans and passed the initial stage of admissibility last year. The UK filed its "observations" to these applications last year and the Applicants filed replies in January this year. A final decision on admissibility of the first two applications is presently awaited. The test applications of the BNTVA have so far achieved a measure of success since very few applications to the Commission proceed to the first stage of admissibility. After years of fighting in vain for justice in the UK, the BNTVA has made progress with its cause before the Commission at Strasbourg, France, and has afforded a ray of hope to the thousands of veterans and their families who have struggled with illness and financial deprivation for several decades.
IAN ANDERSON Advocate and Attorney at Law.
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AUSTRALIAN BK A INCH NEWS: AS RAF driver on the daily maintenance run from Port London to Main Camp, there was always something to keep one amused! My mate Eddie Smith from Glasgow was a Wireless Op (RAF) on shift work and on one of his day's off he came with me for a run. On the way back to Main Camp with a full load, my eyes started to blur. This happened before and was a result of sit ting on my sun glasses weeks before and not having time to replace them at the Q Store. This was the worst attack I had suffered and I could only see light and dark shapes. I needed help fast. Eddie couldn't drive so I agreed to drive if he would help me steer. For some reason there w'as no traffic on the road at this time. After many stop's and start's and left, left, right, right and STOP, we eventually made it to an AID Post. One day, whilst in hospital being treated, there wras one hel luva noise and lots of shouting. I was quickly taken outside and told to sit on the ground. Not being able to see, I asked what was happening and the Medics said someone in the next tent complained of being cold so some idiot set the tent on fire. Guess who
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ABOVE: Sunday lunch in the NAAFI on Christmas Island and Ed Smith and Jim Crossan tuck into pineapple chunks and carnation milk from a tin as well as cold beer and cigarettes. was in the next tent - our Chairman, Sapper Ken McGinley. Small world isn't it. My sight was restored only to be lost again temporarily serving with Glasgow Fire Brigade a few years later. By the way, the language on the way to the AID Post, was not the Queens English by any standards.
Jim Crossan
Chairmans report
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FTER the meeting In the House of Lords last July, I was asked to prepare a brief for Sir John Hannam who would inn turn present It to the Prime Minister. Thanks mainly to Miss Anderson, this was carried out. Although many people attended the said meeting and received a copy of the brief, the response was pathetic to say the least! The response from the Prime Minister was no more than expected and from the others I am still awaiting their observations. Then on the 21st November last year, we took part In the BBC radio Four programme "File on Four" and at last we heard the truth from Dr Sarah Darby, who you will recall, was one of the leaders of the Second Analysis Study. She admitted that the study was "incomplete", the very point I had made over a year ago when the results were incorrectly published in the British medical Journal In December 1993. The Government, ably supported by the NRPB, have lied and cheated us with the figures of leukemia and myeloma and it makes one wonder about other so called Independent bodies which have carried out similar studies on behalf of the Government. □ IN January this year two new cases came forward, one Leukemia and one Myeloma, the first being a World War Two pilot who was shot down during the Battle of Britain and was then sent to Christmas Island in 1962 to witness American bomb tests. The United States classed the UK servicemen as "foreigners" in their documents and also admitted that most of the film badges issued were "faulty". The other case was a veteran of Maralinga. These two cases are not includ ed in the study either. □ TWO very well known members died recently. One was Big Colin Campbell from Stafford, who never lost his sense of humour and, as his widow would say, "was stubborn to the end." The other was Maurice Arnold who, like myself, was a Mario Lanza fan. Last year, after the AGM, I walked into his hotel and he was signing away happily at the top of his voice. He is survived by his wife Hazel. Both Colin and Maurice served at Maralinga, Maurice having served at Operation Brumby in 1967 which was the so-called cleaning up of the Test site. Let us all hope and pray that 1995 will be our year to succeed In the European Court for^uman Rights. It's our last resort so let’s stick together, that’s the only way to achieve success for future generations. (Stfr tttfman rights have been violated; our enemy was our Government who will ultimately have to pay the price. Then justice will be done.
Ken McGinley EXTRA NEWS FROM AROUND THE BRANCHES Canadian Branch:
Widows Representative:
OVER the past months I have been in contact with Lawrence Devcrall regarding the up and coming convention in Lethbridge, Alberta, from June 25-June 30. I would compare this event to the World Cup soccer final. IT IS BIG! Please do your best to attend. Write to Lawrence at Box 49, Diamond City, Alberta, Canada. You can fax him on 403-381-4394 between 6am-10am Mountain time. I am pleased about Joseph Laughin getting the much deserved war pension. Joe is ex-RN serv ing on the Cambania, "Monte Bello". Thank you Joe for your kind thoughts regarding helping me carry the flag for the vets in Canada. We have a good branch in Canada although we live thou sands of miles apart. Let us come closer together for all our sakes. Forms have been sent out for members to send away for their records so to check if correct. Mine came back today stating all the tests I took part in. Four years ago my daughter gave birth to a son. In February this year he was hospitalized with a kidney infection. After a renal ultra sound he was found to have only one kidney and he was bom like that. I will miss all my friends and fellow vets this year for I am unable to attend the AGM. KENLEYLAND
IT is good to know that members keep in contact even if they are thousands of miles apart. One lady from New Zealand has told us she has been awarded a pension - congratulations to Mrs M. I had a surprise visit a few months ago from Mrs Pat Raynham from Canada who was visiting her sister here in Leicester. If you are reading this Pat I hope you enjoyed the rest of your tour. Sadly I have to report that I have added more widows to my list. I hope these ladies have claimed for their War Widows Pension. If help is needed they have only to pick up the phone and ask, there are several places where help can be found. I have just had a meeting with the Leicester and Notts War Widows Associatioa A representative from S.S.A.F.A. and one from the War Pensions Agency attended. There are many items that can be claimed for and, where necessary, they will visit. The War Widows Association is fighting for pensions for ALL widows not just those widowed in war. If any ladies would like information about the War Widows Association of Great Britain and wish to join, please contact me and I can send a form and newsletter to give you some idea of what the Association is and does. War Widows Pensions as from April are: Basic Pension - £76.35; Pre-1973 Extra payment £49.77; Age Allowance - £8.70 (65yrs), £16.75 (70yrs) £24.95 (80yrs), Under 40 yrs, no children - £17.66, Childrens Allowance according to cir cumstances. I hope more ladies will consider attending the AGM in April, it is not all doom and gloom and
THE Commemorative medal for service in Japan, Monte Bello, Emu Field, Maralinga, Malden and Christmas Islands, is svailable price £30 (inc post and packing)from Peter Fletcher. Cheques should be made payable to P Fletcher (Medal)
we have a good social evening afterwards. I look forward to seeing you there. MAVIS GARDNER
London Branch: NOT much to report this month. This year’s Public Records Office openings brought no new interesting information. In recent months we have had records released which were originally closed for 75 years, but these had nothing of interest in them. They included photographs of Chriatmas Island RAF personnel, ilinery of the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit and the odd mechanical report including information on fatalities. If anyone is interested in nuclear weapon design, development or deployment in the RAF then the information is at Kew. If you want information on the radiation sampling then it is retained as it is is not in the national interest to disclose it. We wouldn't want an enemy to know what we were exposed to would we!!! Of more interest to out Australian Test participants is the news that at long last the Atomic Weapons Research establish ment Rowley oulstation files, are to make a pub lic appearance later this year. We do not know when, but Malcolm Rifkind believes they are open already. They are not, but coming shortly. We will believe it when it happens. Watch this space! Finally, our next meeting is at the Royal Engineers Museum, Brompton Baracks, Chatham, and takes place on Saturday 8th April, 1995 (1pm). Please confirm attendance in advance so that refreshments can be arranged. Ken Taylor
BOBBY BREWSTER looks at the issues of illness and compensation
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December 30: For the first time the United States Mav 24: The US Go/ernmerrt reveals that out of orders medical checks on 3,224 army personnel who the 139,00 Army personnel who were stationed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the bombs were took part in the nuclear tests of 1957. dropped, or wtio took part in the nudeartests, 1,139 January 24.1978: Scientists testify before of them radiation levels above the acceptable limits. Congress that exposure to radiation during the June 3.1985: The Science Council of America Nevada Tests had caused a high incidence of reports an abnormally high number of deaths from leukemia among ex-Army personnel. January 27: Thirty four of the 174,000 soldiers cancer among ex-servicemen exposed to radiation. who took part in manouevres at the Nevada Test site Decembers According to a US G eneral claim compensation from the Government for radia Accounting office report, 17,00 servicemen partici tion related illnesses. The claims of six are recog pating in the 1946 tests at Bikini Atoll were exposed nised. to higher levels of radation than was previously February 7: The US Government hands out comthought and reported in Government documents. pensation to 12 ex-servicemen who claim they got March 20.1986: Joint US-Japan Committee to cancer after participating in nuclear tests in the revaluate the effects of a bomb radiation report that Pacific and in Nevada. at 15kilotonnes, the Hiroshima bomb was 20% more February 10: The Defence Department announces powerful than originally thought. that it will begin a survey of radiation related illnesses June 10: The US Department of Energy among the 300,000 American servicemen who par announces that three employees were exposed to ticipated in the tests. high doses of radiation during the testing of nuclear February 26: A total of 10,000 Army and ex-army weapons in Nevada. personnel who may have been exposed, rush to take October 24: Revelations are made that human advantage of the Defence Department's medical experiments are earned out as pat of the Manhattan examinations overa two week period. Ofthose 140 Project of 18 people injected with plutonium are found to have cancer. between April 1945 and July 1947,13 are known to August 4: Ex-serviceman Donald Coe, who suffers have died. from leukemia caused by participation in nuclear July 28.1987: Congress passes a bill providing tests in Nevada in August 1957, is awarded compen- compensation for ex-servicemen now suffering from sation by the US Veterans agency. 12 types of cancer who had been stationed in September 28: The family of a deceased ex-ser Hiroshima or Nagasaki or who had taken part in viceman sue the US Government for several million nuclear tests. dollars compensation. September 26: Victims of radation hold their first June 19.1979: Senator Kennedy produces international conference in New York. The 300 par Government records proving that safety standards ticipants from 30 countries include bomb survivors, v^re deliberately ignored at the Nevada test site dururanium miners, people living near the test site and ing the fifties and sixties and this was in the interests residents of the Marshall Islands. of creating a realistic background for nuclear war February 18.1988: The National radiological manouevres. Protection Board in Britain reports a high incidence March 19.1980: Presidential committee confirms of leukemia and bone cancers in ex-servicemen who that testing in Nevada during the fifties Is the cause ofcanceramong local residents. The committee rec took part in the tests. March 18: US Senate rejects suggestions that ommends compensation be paid. would like to remind people about the first establishment of a committee of specialists to investi April 10: Seven ex-service personnel and two wid Australian serviceman who received compensa gate safety standards at nuclear weapons plants ows accuse te US Government of negligence on tion for illnesses caused by exposure to radiation. would be an "obstacle to the production of nuclear behalf of 250,000 military personnel exposed to radiI understand it was a hollow victory. weapons" and agrees to increase tenfold the amount The verdict recognised that he suffered from a radiation through involvement in nuclear tests and of compensation allocated to those affected by seri ation linked illness, but it had not been awarded for weapons development, ous accidents at such facilities. August 6: Congressional subcommittee investi his skin cancer or high Wood pressure or other symp April 25: Senate adopts a Bill providing medical gating damage to residents health near the nevada toms like nausea or diarrhoea. test site uncovers secret Atomic Energy Commission c^re ^ ex-servicemen affected by radiation, He witnessed four tests. He was about four miles December22: The US Government’s Department documents recordng the effects of exposure by resiaway. Yet it was awarded for his schizophrenia of Veterans Affairs provides compensation for the which had been induced by the Government's lack of dents to large doses of radiation. widow of John Smitherman, an ex-serviceman who response to his fears about radiation exposure. He August 7.1981: Australian Government takes participated in nuclear tests and later died of cancer. was awarded A$867,000 out of which he had to pay steps to compensate ex-servicemen whose health lawyers fees of A$630,00 and repay the Government was damaged by participation in British nuclear tests. Bythe end of 1988 a total of 551 veterans have suc ceeded in getting compensation for radiation related January 4.1982: The 12th American Military A$260,000 in medical expenses. source reveals that several thousand members of the diseases. Whilst on the subject of compensation. I see the December 22: The New South Wales Supreme Armed Forces were exposed to radiation levels over American's recognise Gulf War syndrome and I Court of Australia orders the Government to hand out the acceptable 'safe' limit during testing in Nevada believe are paving for it. Our Government savs compensation to ex-servicemen suffering radiation and the Pacific and that the US Military Authority the syndrome does not exist and they do not related diseases. published false reports to conceal the fact have anyone suffering from HI August 3: American ex-serviceman John December 19.1989: After studying the latest data Smitherman, who suffers radiation linked diseases from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Science Council N April of 1977 high incidence of leukemia is of America concludes that the risk of incurring cancer noted among the 170,000 American army person after participating in the Bikini tests, undergoes and examination at a Hiroshima hospital. after being exposed to radiation, is actually three to nel who participated in Nuclear tests in Nevada. August 10: US Gcvemment recognises radiation four times the level originally thought The US Government starts procedures to compen caused skin cancer suffered by ex-serviceman February 16.1990: Research by Professor sate the ex-servicemen suffering leukemia. James O’Conner. Gardiner of Southampton University shows a high Mav 27: An American newspaper reports several January 9.1983: British newspaper reports a high incidence of leukemia among children whose fathers cases of leukemia among 40 Canadian arny person incidence of cancer among ex-servicemen who parwere exposed to high levels of radiation at the nel who participated in the Nevada test site on ticipated in tests in Australia and at Christmas Island. Sellafield complex. August 31st 1957. LOT has been mentioned in the press and on television about the Allied PO Ws who are to ue the Japanese Government for their war time suffering. Court hearings will bring together British, Australian, NewZealand and American prisoners of war in an allied action. They have aroused sympathy in Japan from lawyers, whom I might add take on their cases free of charge. If the Government awards them compensation for their past misdeeds, it will open Pandora's Box. It makes me wonder about the biomedical raciation experiments the American scientists carried out on the Hibakushas' after Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The POWs case is only superficially similar to our own, the medical experiments performed on them were done under tyrannies and did not involve radiation. In our case, surely, it is that the scientists, unlike the people who were experimented on, knew what they were doing even if they did not know what the results would be. The scientists, the politicians, the generals, the bureaucrats, the universities, the research institutes, all must have had a hand in this. Permission or informed consent to cany out these experiments on these people was never sought at all norwas it given. The Clinton administration has documented 400 Government backed biomedical experiments involv ing human exposure to radiation conducted between 1945-1975. All these were top secret...until now. It is not certain when these experiments ceased, but they were still going on in the m'd-70’s. Of course, our own NRPB just cant wait to get their hot littie hands on our veterans body parts, so we have been told. I pose this question to you: "Do you think our scientists were any different, our Government and their Research Institutes?
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OW many remember what the ini tials ITMA stood for? Ten out of 10 of you said Its That Again' and for a further 10 points who was the main character comedian? Full marks if you said Tommy Handley. With my twisted squadified sense of humour, when I think of Tommy Handley it's another person entirely - my vison is a Sergeant Major, God bless urn, one who was to make my life misery. Not that I blame him in the least for I and military disclipine and good order did not make good bedfellows. One of the great things about Christmas Island was because m were in a real working environment, dress regulations soon became rather lax, not for our benefits I hastily add, purely out of necessity. Wrth only shorts, puttees and boots, plus of course 'Hats Green Jun^e'or com monly referred to as Hats ridiculous', it soon became obvious that the only way you could establish a little piece of individuality was to shape your Hats Green Jungle' into anything you fancied, bearing inm mind of course the confines of the military dress code. Nevertheless, considerable leeway was allowed and providing the adopted shape was not too outrageous then pretty well anything was allowed. You had the ever popularTrilby style with the front bent down and the rear upwards, the crown carefully indented and pinched in. There was the Pork Pie style where the brim was twisted down at the front and upwards at both the rear and sides. The Robin Hood style was similar but differing by the upturned sides tapering from front to rear to meet the rear upturned brim. Some v^ro worn at a rakish angle, others pulled down over the eyes or pushed to the back of the head. Sometimes wire was inserted in the brim
Hats off to a man named Handley! in order to achieve a particularly difficult shape, others were scrubbed and soaked and left to bleach in the sun to acquire an immediate 'ageing' appearance. The most individual style however vvas that adopted by Sergeant Major Tommy’ Handley. Ho cunningly adoptad an entirely different approach, Instead of shaping and manipulating, wring, scrubbing or bleaching, he did absolutely nothing. He wore his 'Hat Ridiculous' exactly as it was issued, Whenever I recall Tommy it is his hat that immediately springs to mind. He stood, if my memory serves me right, about 5ft 6in or 5ft 7in, broad and stocky in build, vwth the inevitable pace stick stuck under his arm and the hat, oh that hat, jammed full square on the top of his head. Unfolded from the flattened shape they wore manufactured and issued in, he simply placed it on his head. It had the appearance of half an upright rugby ball wth a brim attached, one that curved downwards at both the front and rear, The simple act of placing it on his head instantly transformed him into a Spanish Conquistador. It was, I think, the occasion on which the third and last Hydrogen bomb we would see was dropped. The result being reveille was at some Godforsaken hour, an early breakfast formed up first
in Troops, roll call taken then the Troops fell in as a Squadron. Just in case any body had decided to desert or were were perhaps abducted by aliens whilst marching from the Troop position to the right marker distance of perhaps 30 yards or so, the Squadron on formation then answered an identical roll call in front of the Squadron Officer Commanding in order to ascertain the combined head count was still the cor rect. When this had produced a full head count, time, as lawyers say, was not of the essence and the detonation of the Hydrogen Bomb was still another 50 minutes or so away, we were left parad ed in three ranks, stood at ease and allowed to talk and smoke away. Twenty or thirty minutes later Tommy came to the front of the assembled Squadron and called us to attention. Standing there in the early morning light silhouetted against the skyline, his head complete vwth Spanish headgear, pace stick in hand that could easily have been taken for a svwjrd, he became in my eyes not a British soldier, but per haps a member of Cortez’s force in his conquest of Mexico rallying his men into action. Throwing his shoulders back he shout ed the words that are forever burnt into my brain. The words were not of course Spanish for Tommy was a Scot bom
and bred and proud of it The command boomed loudly over the assembled men in that wonderful Y rolling Scottish burr. "You have foumr minutes to urminate. Squadron fall out" I nearly wet myself there and then, but managed to stumble vwth the rest into the ever-present coconut palms to rele'rve ourselves as per instructions. Strangely enough, in 14 years of ser vice I only overcame across one other person whose surname was spelt the same as mine and he was in 61 Squadron whilst on Christmas Island. Although we were both white AngloSaxons, Tommy named the other per son white Roche, possibly as an indica tion of his virginal state regarding clash es wjth authority, good order and miltary disclipine. Why I got my name, I fear I will never know, though many is the time Tommy Handley had the occasion to bellow to some nearby NCO: "Get me Rrroche, not white Rrroche, I want black f....king Rruoche." The author ofthis piece in order to a\'oid any possible court action wishes to remain anonymous. Under no circumstances is any one to write to: Mick Roche, 14 Corporation Road, Rochdale, Lancs OL11 4EU or phone him on 0706-868178.
Dave meets up with an old chum This is a copy of a letter from Dave Wood to Peter Fletcher after a meeting with a former veteran in South Africa. Dave can be contacted at PO Box 182, Botriver 7185, Cape Province, South Africa.
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OME while ago 1 asked you if there were any other veterans in South Africa and you gave me the venue and address of Ian Thompson in Benoui. I contacted him by phone and said that we were going up to Johannesburg at Christmas then on to Swaziland and so we arranged to meet. We went out to dinner one evening and had a very enjoy able time reminiscing. Ian is on the left in the photo graph. He served at Christmas Island for the final four tests which took place over a very short period of time and was part of Canberra aircrew who
flew through the bomb clouds on four occasions. They were so heavily conta minated (the planes) that he and his chums spent two years in Australia before the planes were cold enough to return to the UK. I am sitting on the right and as you probably know I was on the Narvik at the first test in October 1952. I was contaminated via the starter batteries from all the landing craft after the test which were returned to Narvik. May I wish you all the best and that you continue your fight for justice.
ABOVE: Dave Wood and Ian Thompson when they met in South Africa.
SCOTTISH BRANCH
SOUTH CHESHIRE and NORTH STAFFS BRANCH HE inaugural meeting of the South Cheshire and North Staffs branch took place in Crewe in September and I, as chairman, welcomed new and current members. Secretary and Treasurer were nominated and voted into office. The Chairman then addressed the meeting explaining the Associations means and future aims and members were encour aged to apply for war pensions and widows pensions. The meet ing was opened to members which turned out to be very interesting. Our second meeting was held on January 6 and once again was well attended, twenty one people in all. Again members were wel comed by the Chairman, including two new members, and he then addressed the meeting dictating correspondence received from Bill Kittsen and Ken McGinley. Members were encouraged to spread the word to the media and to local and European MP's. A general discussion then took place. The branch and I wish to thank Ken McGinley, Peter Fletcher, Bill Kittsen and Christ Rowlands for supporting the branch. I was interviewed by BBC Radio Stoke-on-Trent who visited my home on Sunday 8th January. The programme went out the fol lowing day and Pat Brookes spoke on behalf of our Widows cam paign. John Cole
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MERSEYSIDE BRANCH LL is once again quiet on the Merseyside front, so quiet that I put back our January meeting a month in the hope that some information might come out of Europe. The news of one of our Branch Members winning the National Lottery was a great bit of news and could not have happened to a nicer family. Well done mate! Peter Fletcher is on the trail of another Memorial Stone, this time for the North East. Peter, Moses had ten commandments, not ten stones. Tom Kitching is also busy at Hull raising funds for his branch Standard. I had a very quick response from the NRPB with regards to my printout of service. Well done NRPB. Was a little puzzled to see I was demobbed because I was alive (thought provoking that). Finally, if your memory is playing you up and you can't remember what you were going to do, just forget it. See you hopefully in Blackpool.
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A Nuclear veteran stood at the Pearly gates, his face was drawn and old He stood before the man of God, for admission to the fold, What have you done St.Peter asked to gain admission here I was on Nuclear tests Sir, he saidfor my sins Ifear. The Pearly gates swung open wide, SiPeter rang the bell Come in my friends and choose your harp, you've done your time in Hell. (Taken from the original by EL C1D). Chris Rowlands
Members note!
HIS Is the first time I have written in as Scottish representa tive and would like to thank the many members North of the border who have contacted me to wish me well and to offer any help they can. Having all of Scotland to represent, the only chance to meet most of you will be at the AGM. So if you are there I hope you'll say hello and we have the chance to chat. To date, other than sending our copies of correspondence to members, I haven't had a chance to help members individually, but if there is anything I can do in the future, please let me know. Archie Loudon
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HUMBERSIDE BRANCH NCE again it has been a very active year for the branch and as you all know it started off with The Three Peaks Walk which was very successfully financially for the Association. After that we joined forces with the R.M.P. Association for their annual dinner and a very good night was shared by all concerned, so much so that it will now be an annual event (Please, no wisecracks about the Red Cape, weVe had enough already). The next big thing this branch has in motion is the purchase and dedication of a BNTVA branch standard. We are doin9 Quite wel1 Wlth fund raising, but if anyone feels they can help it will be very much appreciated. We have just had our branch AGM at which I was pleased to have as my guest, Ronald Pickin, a former shipmate on HMS Diana. We certainly had a lot to catch up on after a gap of thirty years. I keep asking members of the branch to come along to meetings because I am sure you will find it very enlightening as well as enjoyable. On a more serious side, one of our members has won his appeal. This is very encouraging and goes to prove that if you have an appeal turned down then appeal again. Don't let them grind you down. Look forward to seeing all our good friends again at Blackpool. Good luck. Tom Kitching
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BRANCH NOTES; ■ WE are sorry to announce that due to ill health and personal reasons, both John Jones (South Yorkshire) and Dave Ireland (North Yorkshire) have been forced to give up their posts. Any volunteers? ■ DEREK Heaps is to resign as Association Secretary for per sonal reasons, but will continue his stalwart duties as East
Midlands representative. Derek would like it known that he is willing to assist and represent members at pension appeal tribunals. Ring him on 0332-811429. * NOEL Hendy is the new Devon and Cornwall Representative (see Branch directory page). He would like to hear from all our members SO contact him on 01209-214814. ■ ANY nominations or motions for the Annual General Meeting must be submitted to Derek Heaps, The Secretary, no later than April 8th.
Some articles may have been abbreviated or omit ted due to pressure on space. We apologise lor this and will endea\our to use them in the next issue.
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AN you help? Copies of the mld-PacIflc News as pub lished on Christmas Island from 1st August 1956 until the 1960's, are required. If anyone has any copies available please contact Noel Hendy, 2 Bowdens Row, West End, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 2TS, or telephone him on 01209-214814. All expenses will be paid and he would also very much appreciate the loan of any photographs or videos if available. OB Aslett, ex-Christmas Island, writes to say he would ike to hear from any of the lads on their reminiscences of life on the island. If you can help send them to his daughter, Mrs J Hughes, 25a Elaine Close, Beacon Heath, Exeter, as she has for some time been putting together a project on Christmas Island and would be grateful for any information.
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OUGIE Dawes, ex-RAF Maralinga (Buffalo) series in 1956, has sent out a plea for old mates he served with to contact him. He recalls arriving in Perth, Western Australia, before going to Maralinga, and remembers visiting the Monash Club (now called the British Club) for dancing. He cannot recall names except for Taffy and says there were seven really close friends at one time. Write to him a: 95 Longfield Road, Darlington, Co.Durham.
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ORDON Lee urgently required to contact his old ship mates from HMS Salvictor at Christmas Island. There was a crew of 58 men and to date he has only been able to contact one. Gordon says they were 36 miles away when it was "bombs away" and now he hopes to do a survey of their health. So come on ex-HMS Salvictor crew, get in touch. His address and telephone number is: Doverhay, Peaslands Road, Sidmouth, Devon (0395-512161).
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NOTHER plea comes from Bill Harris who is trying to track down any of the lads who served on the J.O.C. Power Station on Christmas Island, up to the end of the first Grapple test. Bill can be reached on 051-426-5834.
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T'S Australia calling! Sam Mauchline would like to get in touch with any old pals who served on Christmas island from July 1958 on Control (C) Site. You can write to Sam at 27 Nymboids Street, Greystanes, NSW 2145, Australia. OB Aslett writes from 17 The Green, Littleham, Exmouth, EX8 2QOP, to say: When I was on Christmas Island I had a mate named Gerry Legge who had a seri ous accident and was badly burned. I recall he was hospi talised and then sent back to Britain for further treatment. I have not heard anymore of him since, but by sheer co-inci dence his wife found herself working with a woman who was one of the nurses that came out to the Island to collect him. Wouldn't it be great after all these years, if we could put them in touch with each other. If anyone knows Gerry's whereabouts, I would be delighted to hear from them by phone (01395-264940) or letter. i
AURENCE Deverall (RAF Maralinga 1956) is pictured (right) with his son John at The Cenotaph in Lethbridge, I^Canada, where a wreath was laid for British and Australian veterans and the ribbon read: "Forgotten soldiers of a forgotten war." Laurence says his son is an air cadet with ardent plans and ambitions to become a pilot in the RCAF. Laurence himself lost one leg through a rare form of cancer. His pension was
ABOVE: Colin Ashby of 1 Mill Hill, Deal, Kent, CT14 9EL, would like to hear from any old shipmates of Naval party 5555. Colin is pictured at the main port on Christmas Island aboard the MFV630 in 1961. refused, but on appeal to the High Court in London, it went back to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. In early December his appeal was heard in a five day sitting attended by top barristers and medical experts. He now awaits the verdict. Hopefully, Laurence will be back in the UK in April to attend the AGM and will briefly explain everything to members re his claim and also the "first international Test Veterans and Atomic Survivors Conference 1995." HE University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, has been chosen as the venue for the First International Nuclear Test Veterans conference and it will take place between June 25-30 this year. Veterans from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and USA have been Invited. The people of Lethbridge and the University there, are trying to arrange and offer free or very inexpensive accommodation to anyone who attends. Full details from the Rev Laurence Deverall, PO Box 49, Diamond City, Alberta, Canada TOK OTO. Phone or fax on 0101-403-381-4394. Laurence Is cur rently negotiating with Air Canada for reduced cost return flights and there will also be parades, banquets, suppers, dances and tours. The List of speakers includes leading IN MEMORY OF doctors Canada, America and those who fell the United Kingdom talking during the world WARS about the high mortality rate 1914 - 1918 of US Nuclear Weapons Test 1939 - 1945 participants; the translation >R£A of risk into potential hazard; ,1953 recent developments In treat it) ing radiation induced dlsKa K.y eases; report on veterans mortality compiled from death certificates; biological effects of radiation; and many, many more topics on the agenda. - ^ Peter Fletcher and Mrs Irene Ahmah are endeavouring to make contact with French test F r"*jflM veterans organisations so ^ they too can attend. ||
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At last, my claim has been paid out I am contacting you to let you know that I have been success ful with my case for a War pension. It has been awarded for a cataract that developed into maturity when I was only 26 years old. Anyone wishing to contact me for help or information regarding War pension claims due to the formation of cataracts caused by exposure to radiation, is welcome to do SO.
If il is not too late, a mention in the magazine may give encouragement to pension applicants especially as it has taken five years to process my case. T M Butler 75 Woldcarr Road Hull HU3 6TR
We must apologise IN the Xmas issue of the BNTVA maga zine, our front cover story said the re-dedi cation service at Liverpool was the BNTVA’s own service. Sony, that’s wrong. It is an annual service that the BNTVA and other World War 1 ex-servicemen attend.
Are the numbers right or wrong? An article by Bob Smith - our Scottish Standard Bearer
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URING the evening of 16th September at Tamworth, before the unveiling of the stone at Birmingham, I happened to remark that I didn't know if I had been included in the survey of veterans. Peter Fletcher, in his infinite wisdom, suggested that I write to Dr Kendall at NRPB and he provided me with the address. On my return home I duly sal down and wrote and recently I received a nice letter back stating that I had been included in the survey and he also forwarded me a copy of the report. When sitting down to study this report, I found out that according to the numbers they had there were so many of us at Maralinga that we would have been standing on each other's shoulders for a swim. Personnel at Edinburgh Field and RAAF Pearce had been included whether at risk or not. In my own mind I question the numbers and won dered how many more had been used for decontamina tion duties and how many were long term (six months or more) at Maralinga. If we extract from the totals only those known to have been long term or exposed in any way for sure, what then was the ratio affected or still living? If, as six of us discussed, the number at Maralinga were significantly less, would it not follow that the numbers actually involved at Monte Bello etc were in fact less than the Government admits. Taking into consideration only known long term stay or those who flew, sailed or, as in Peter’s case, drove round the Test sites, would there be such a difference that the Government could be persuaded to look again?
It is known, for instance, that many ex-servicemen included were, in fact, between 100-200 miles from the blast at Christmas Island and in considerably less danger than those on the island. How were we checked? By the simple expedient method of N.I. numbers they found out how many had lived or died. My own doctor was certainly never questioned about my health as he never even knew that I had been involved until late 1992. The other question is how many deaths were not put down in the earlier years as being caused by radiation either through ignorance or lack of knowledge about their patients? Looking again at the report, Peter is not included as no figures are given as being exposed amongst army personnel during Monte Bello tests. What conclusions should we draw from this? Well, put your minds at rest because by changing the num bers the Government would be admitting there is a problem, so much so that numbers involved would be less than those women suing for being discharged when pregnant. There is absolutely no way they will do this so I think the NRPB report will go the way of all previous bumff - to File 13. Pity though, I just love the shiny paper. Please do not think I am being derogatory or deni grating the excellent service performed by all ranks involved. This is merely a whimsical exercise. FOOTNOTE: If you want an accurate record of your dosaze. write to: Mr W B McCormick. Room 2261, M.o.D. Main Buildinz. Whitehall. London SW1A 211R.
CITROEN IN ST IVES Cambridgeshire incorporating
The CX CENTRE Probably not your nearest Citroen dealer! We do however hold the widest stock of Citroen s in the country so if you're interested in the best deal on a new or used car please call! JOHN BUSHELL, GRAHAM MASON, ROGER BRADFORD or BOB DARKIN BNTV's especially welcome! ErcDrietcr: I3CO DACiilN (Ex Christinas Island,
CITROEN BRAMLEY PARK GARAGES SOMERSHAM ROAD, ST IVES, CAMBS, PEI74WR 0480494432
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Memorial Stone plan given the thumbs up by Co-Op.
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Vice-Chairmans report
E are In the middle of arranging our service for the unveiling of a Memorial Stone for the North East. Peter Fletcher reports that the North East Co-operative Funeral Service responded favourably to his request for an engraved stone - our grateful thanks to them. At the time of writing though, we still didn't have a date or a site. Possible site Is the Church of St.Thomas the Martyr, Newcastle and a tentative date Is Saturday May 13th. Will all members, especially those in the North East, keep in touch with me If you're planning to attend. I will need to know how many to cater for the buffet. Sorry I cannot be more explicit, but until we have a definite date, my hands are tied. Keep in touch by calling me on 091-549-7620. Going to the AGM? Do you have spare seats in your car? Why not share the costs? Please let me know.
■CONTRIBUTIONS for printing in this issue of the magazine far exceeded the amount of space available so I must apologise if your article does not appear or has been abbreviated. Please, for future issues, keep articles as brief as possible and also make sure that only original artwork and photographs are sent NOT photocopies as they do not reproduce too well. On the 19th February, 1952, HMS Zeebrugge and HMS Narvik sailed out of Portsmouth bound for Monte-Bello carrying troops of 71 Field Squadron R.E., Ships Crew and Royal Marines. Each year for the last few years, we have held a small wreath laying Remembrance service by our Memorial Stone in the grounds of Portsmouth Cathedral on or near the anniversary date. This year, on Saturday 18th February, we attended a choral evensong sung by the choir of Bristol University and special prayers were said for all those military and civilian personnel who have died as a consequence of nuclear tests in Australia and the Pacific. Following the service we proceeded to the Cathedral Memorial gardens and a small ser vice was held by the Revd. Barry Fenton, Precentor. Wreaths were laid and Last Post and Reveille were played. Our Portsmouth man, Dave Riley, did his usual hard work to make this possible, assisted by Sid Hardwick and Reg Smith. ■ CHRISTMAS ISLAND: John Leuchars returned from the Island with story and pho tographs, alas too late for this issue (full story next time about hospital funds, coconuts and tree carving). Pat Hurley and Arthur Inwood also visited the Island taking gifts for use in the hospital and sweets for the children. Their story and pictures in next issue. ■ KEN McGinley and myself are constantly at Association work, seven days a week. At the time of writing I am working on the forthcoming AGM, Saturday April 29th. We are also hard at work on assisting to make the Canadian Conference a great success from June 2530, 1995. On the real front line, things are quiet as we work on our case before the Commission of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Just keep saying your prayers, have faith and "we will one day get the justice we seek." I know, I was that soldier. Finally, many, many thanks for the hundreds of Christmas cards and good wishes you sent to my wife Hilda and I.
Peter Fletcher
Mike Reid (North East rep)
peace of mind Get in the picture and shell out some news
by being prepared 3pl People who care lanl in time of need
0800-289*120 Everyone knows the value of being prepared, but do you know the value of The Co-operative Funeral Bond You pay for the funeral at today’s prices. Guaran teed- with no additional costs whenever the funer al occurs - conducted anywhere in the United Kingdom. Flexible payment scheme available on request
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would be interested to know if anyone recalls the clam shells on which I painted scenes of the atom bomb explosion at Monte Bello in 1952. Or, more interesting, does any one still own one. Some of the shells also had an inscription made by another member of the crew of the HMS Campania whose name I have sadly forgotten. I was recalled to the Royal Navy in 1951 being a member of the R.F.R. and I decided to take my easel and paints to Monte Bello
in the hope of painting a few landscapes. I did paint a few views of the islands, but I think it must have been more profitable to paint the clam shells in those days. I remember charging four shillings a painting. I would still be happy to hear from anyone who remembers the shells or still has one. Incidentally, I still paint pictures only now I do It for a living. John Denahy, Rosebank, 117 Church Road, Hatfield Peveral, Essex CM3 2LB (01245-381139).
British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (1992) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Ken McGinley 12 Walpole Place
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Johnston Renfrewshire PA5 ORE Tel: 0505-704936 VICE-CHAIRMAN: Peter Fletcher “Monte Bello” 134 Clipsley Lane Haydock St.Helens WA11 0UB Tel: 01744-29636
TREASURER: Bill Kittsen 28 Westover Green Bramley, Leeds LS13 3SO Tel: 0113-2360703
Mike Reid 70 Rochdale Road Redhouse Estate Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 091-549-7620
SOLICITOR: Mark Mildred 165 Greenwich High Road London SE10 8JA TEL: 081-858-8926
Mike Doyle 14 Exeter Gardens Stamford, Lines PE9 2RN Tel: 0780-65622
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
SECRETARY:
Chris Rowlands 14 Monksdown Road Liverpool LI 1 1HII Tel: 051-226-3441
Derek Heaps 4 Bakewell Drive Castle Donington Derby DE74 2NF Tel: 0332-811429
Bobbie Brewster (Mrs) 61 Cedar Road, Hythe Southampton S04 6PS Tel: 0703-844489
Ken Taylor 56 Eastbourne Road Stratford, London E15 Tel: 081-555-2644 WIDOWS REPRESENTATIE Mrs Mavis Gardner, 30 Link Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7BW Tel: 0116-2364737
BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES Mike Reid (N E England) 70 Rochdale Road, Redhouse Estate, Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 091-549-7620 John Lowe (Manchester) 45 Sheldrake Road, Broadheath, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5LJ TEL: 061-941-2164 Peter BuIIen (North and Mid Wales) Penlan Mill Cottage, Llandegai, Bangor, Gwynnd LLS7 4LG Tel: 0248-352708 Tom Kitching (Humberside) 5 Ellerby Grove, Preston Road, Hull HU9 3PR Tel: 0482-793082 Bill Kittsen (West Yorkshire) 28 Westover Green, Bramley, Leeds LS13 3SQ Tel: 0113-2360703 Archie Ross (West Mids) 230 Burton Road, Woodville, Nr Burton-on-Trent StafTs DE11 7JR Tel: 0283-222113 Noel Hendy (Devon & Cornwall) 2 Bowdens Row West End, Redruth Cornwall TR15 2TS Tel: 01209-214814
Chris Rowlands (Merseyside) 14 Monksdown Road, Liverpool Lll IIIII Tel: 051-226-3441 Peter and Gron Williams (South Wales), 27 Heol Myrddin, Ffairfach, Llandeilo SA19 6PD Tel: 0558-822141 Dave Riley (Portsmouth) 190 Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth P04 8LE Tel: 0705-735669 Ken Taylor (London) 56 Eastbourne Road, Stratford, London E15 Tel: 081-555-2644 Bernard Canovan (Lancashire) 18 Bog Heights Road, Darwin, Lancs BB3 0AW Tel: 0254-771499 Bobbie Brewster (Mrs) (Southampton) 61 Cedar Road, Hythe, Southampton S04 6PS Tel: 0703-844489 John Cole (Sth Cheshire/North Staffs) 5 Byron Close, Crewe Cheshire CW11JT Tel: 0270-589980 Derek Heaps (East Midlands) 4 Bakewell Drive, Derby. Tel: 0332-811429
Paul Rowles (Kent) 4 Huntsmans Close, Rochester, Kent ME1 2RD Tel: 0634-828827 Ken Leyland (Canada) 8840 Douglas Street, Box 2121, Port Hardy, BC Canada, Von-2PO Pat Hurley (Milton Keynes) 24 Caxton Road, Old Wolverlon, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK12 50PG TEL: 0908-313024 A M Loudon (Scotland) 18 McLelland Drive, Kilmarnock, Scotland KA11SE Tel: 0563-43731 J D Crossan (Australia) 80 Hemphill Avenue, Mount Pritchard, New South Wales 2170, Australia
Recalling memories of the day when an aircraft crashed The story below comes from Derek Baker. 193 St.Clair ST1, Chatham, Ontario. N7L3J4 , Canada.
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READ with interest the letter from Ken Taylor in the last issue of the BNTVA magazine referring to the crew of the Canberra who crashed in the vicinity of Goose Bay while enroute to England with dust samples from a Grapple test. I was the electrical fitter of a 58 Squadron ground crew detachment based at Edmonton, Canada, which was the staging post for aircraft going to and from Christmas Island. I well remember this particular aircraft as we were the last to refuel and chat to the crew before they took off. As I remember, they had time only for coffee and also did not wait for us to refuel their tip tanks. Subsequently the weather around Goose Bay clamped in and they eventually ran our of fuel and sadly crashed, only to be found some lime later. Another incident during this same period concerned a Hastings transport aircraft which contained a full load of "UK Eyes Only" classified equipment on its way to Christmas Island. Unfortunately it developed engine trouble upon landing and remained on the tarmac while a frenzied appeal for a replacement engine went out to England. Meanwhile the day following happened to be Canadian Air Force Day when the base was thrown open to the public. Unbeknown to us, our Hastings was towed to the static area display and before long had a line of curious spectators going through it. Complete chaos followed with our air craft being hurriedly towed away. Next day another hastings arrived to take the freight from the first one and deliver us a new engine. As a new member, I look forward to future editions of the magazine which I find interesting, particularly as after the above events and with the same squadron, I did the next two Grapple Tests on Christmas island. A lot less comfortable than Canada.
Midnight comes and our nightmare was finally at an end
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We remember working that day on the quarry waiting for the Duke's visit, best boots, full olive green's etc and his chopper flew over. Not even a wave on the way to the Valiant Bomber strip. We remember search and recovery of coconuts stockpiling them to help the islanders recover their industry of coconut products. We remember the end to Operation Grapple and the introduction of peace time accounting. Then suddenly I had a glorious long week-end in Honolulu then back to Devil's Island as it were. There was the move from C site accom modation to main camp, all mod con's as we recall, in August. Then a plan to put all the crushing equipment into a state of preservation, as acting Troop Sergeant then and with the Troop Commander we anxiously awaited the cocooning teams. ______ BH We waited, we cleaned the j machines, we 3 were visited by a REME team to discuss the preservation. There were shrugs all round as we settled for semi-preservation. "What's that! Well, pour some oil grease over, tie some tarpaulins We ate coconuts and fish etc." Well, it was from the sea (but ABOVE: Don Pilcher is pictured on the right. going home time and besides, let there was no shine on her hair). We swam in the sea too someone else do it. and caught squid with the Fiji Islanders, cray Then we saw the reason for the normal peace fish too. time accounting procedures. As we handed in We remember the pre-Duke of Edinburgh visit kit prior to the flight, two national servicemen inspection, quarry troop being issued with a had to pay for deficiencies. One had lost a third pair of boots to which we would add shine Whitworth spanner (I believe he had to pay - our other two pair being so badly worn. 11d) and one had lost a mirror shaving tropical We remember the burial of the plant and vehi with cloth case. Remember chrome plated squares! Pay 7d. "Maybe I buried it with the cle help yourself park a place that was visited other scrap metal," he was heard to say. "Get so often by our mechanics and plant fitters to me an excavator and I'll dig it up again.' (I have acquire spare parts to keep others running. I omitted his obscene language). remember Buster Howerd operating 'Big Well, all good things come to an end. We Helen', RB33 with a dragline near the airfield, an attempt to bury some scrap there. I remem even tried to sabotage the Britannia on the air field in a fit of Pegasus influence, we so wanted ber the ground floating as movement of the RB to stay on our tropical island. Alas, we took off dragline brought up the water table and was at one stage giving cause for alarm, but eventual at near midnight and the nightmare came to an end. ly overcome. DON PILCHER
served on Christmas Island from December, 1958, until December 1959, and I was then known as 22302374, CpI Pilcher, Quarry Troop, 46 Field Park Sqn R.E., 36 Corps Engineer Regiment. We lived for most part of the year at C site and were regarded by te RAF chaps who administered us there as "Dusty Wimpey". We worked 'down the road' at the open cast quarry site in which we worked two shifts per day for most part of the year. We re-arranged coral slabs into aggregate by passing it through the jaws of a crusher and the shaker sieves would shake it into sizes into hoppers. The hoppers would be emptied to the stockpiles or by direct delivery vehicle (tippers) run mainly by the R.A.S.C. We operated the crusher, the Cat and Fowler bulldozers, the 19 RB's (excava tors), the BK 50's (excavators), and some other odds and sods. We remember the dust, the heat (and some rain once), the glare of the sun on white coral, and from the sea shore the noise, the datspray, but we could not see the radiation.
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Did you know that Lady By Peter Fletcher Operation Brumby. Maralinqa. 1968: THIS was a clean up operation and it was done by the Royal Engineers, Royal Pioneer Corps and the RAF. The CO was the late major W Cook, RE, and a couple of issues ago his widow asked for anyone who served under him at that time, to contact her. Not many did. Where are the Brumby Boys? In our September issue Michael Scarrott asked who was the RAF bod dressed in drag. Mrs Cook has come up with the answer and photographic proof as well. Photo 1: Major Cook unveils the Brumby Memorial at Taraniki, Maralinga, with a "lady1 in front of the ranks of military personnel. Photo 2: The memorial is unveiled. Photo 3: This shows the 'Lady1 speaking to what appears to be another offi-
cer (RE or RPC) along with major Cook. Does anyone recognise the third person. He seems to be very tall. Who was the Lady? It appears it was L.A.C. Firth of the RAF and where is L.A.C. Firth now? Mrs Cook would also like to ^ear fr0m anyone who was on Operation Brumby. FOOTNOTE: It is with sad regret we report the death in January of Maurice Arnold, ex-Royal Pioneer Corps,
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ABOVE: Major Cook unveils the memorial. LEFT: The memorial y/ after the K C-jf. unveiling. !$ [ RIGHT: The Lady -Up* speaks to ""r another officer.
AG M ‘ sPecial notice to all our members E’RE all preparing for our annual get together - the AGM at Blackpool. This year it takes place on Saturday 29th April and the venue once again is The Horseshoe Bar, Pleasurelands, South Shore. Would members please note that those attending should sign the book on entering before they take their scats. Access will be available from lpm. The agenda for the afternoon is as foUows:
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Parade ofStandards. Act ofHomage -Last Post - Reveille Apologies for absence. Minutes ofAGM 1994. Chairmans report. Vice chairmans report. Secretaries report. Treasurers report Widows representative and War Widows Association. 10. Election of Officers. 11. Election ofcommittee. 12. Any other business. 13. Chairmans round up.
Please note: Votes will only be counted if a Full Member is holding up a current membership card. A Full Member is a Nuclear test veteran or the widow of a Nuclear test veteran. From approximately 7.30pm we will hold our social evening in the Paradise Room which is situated on the same complex. Anyone wishing to bring or send a small prize for the evening raffle, please do so. It will be most appreciated. We again extend our deepest gratitude to the Blackpool Conference Office who pay for the room hire (Horseshoe Bar and Paradise Room) on our behalf. Also thanks to Mrs June Cowell of the Tourist Board and Miss Karis Bailey of Blackpool Pleasure Beach Limited for their invaluable consid eration and assistance.
SUNDAY APRIL 30th: There will be a Church Parade and service (all denominations welcome) at the Salvation Army Citadel, Raikes Parade, Blackpool, taking place at 11am. Weather permitting, we will march through the town with the Salvation Army band and disperse at approximately 12.30pm.
FOOTNOTE: Why not extend your stay in Blackpool and make the most of the facilities available. If you haven't booked your accommodation then do so now. There are plenty of hotels, guest houses and self-catering accom modation available. If you have any difficulty or require any help on this count, then Peter Fletcher will be most willing to assist you.
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Bond Hotel
Glenmere Hotel
120 Bond St, South Shore,Blackpool
7 Gynn Avenue,, North Shore, Blackpool TEL: 01253-351259
A welcome awaits both able and disabled people. We have 45 bedrooms - all ensuite - and special disabled facilities Telephone: 01253-341218 Viisitors: 01253-3404877
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
SOLYMAR
Holiday Flatlets
□ Clean modern flats, fully equipped for 2-6 persons, bedding provided and colour TV □ 50yds from promenade and Sandcastle □ Own keys - large private car park Syd Harris (Ex-Christmas Island) 68 Station Road, Blackpool SS Proprietress: Mrs I Harris TEL: 01253-347620
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LUithnell Hotel
A word of thanks
Residential licence Proprietors: June & Frank Travis 17 Withnell Road, Blackpool FY41HF Bed & Breakfast Evening dinner optional Satellite TV in all rooms Choice of menu All en-suite rooms Open All Year
Tel: 01253-344868 \':-v
BNTVA Welcomed vs.
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We would like to take this opportunity of thanking each and every advertiser who has so generously supported the BNTVA m
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Wingfield
Hotel
Anchorage Hotel 1
San Remo
' (Ucensed Private Hotel) I 18 WithnellRd, Blackpool.
4 Wimbourne PI, NewS®Prom, Blackpool.
□Bar lounge
□Fully licensed □B/B & evg meal □Full c/heating □All rooms en-suite □Tea-coffee facilities □Large car park
38 Shaw Road
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(opp promenade) \
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□ Vea makers in all rooms □ free child places i Q full central heating
coffee tac,l,JJ|s 'suite room. 4“'lp hedrooms available Rina MARLENE on 012^-341771 or s.a.e. °\rom above address
TEL: 01253-343364
Fernlea
<TLL: Jan ‘Harris 01253-344141
Sandalwood
Select Self Contained Flats
HOLIDAY flats
£ 70 Station Road, Blackpool.
Superior Holiday Flatlets Road, Blackpoolround)
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SouthihS&P®0'-
□ Ctctn, modem, and
□ Open all year □Parking space □Convenient for South Pier Promenade, Sandc^teandfewa 4
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'i TEL: 01253-343362
Close to SoutfiSfioreammties
UContantfwt water includef i' in comp etitivei.'tariff• ; Proprietors: | Barry and Wlaree Sturt TEL: 01253-349302
•-'ssflsr ■ TEL: 01253-346512 Jenny \Milltams
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Langroyd Private Hotel ■ The Granville Licensed Hotel
47 Station Road (opp South Pier), Blackpool. TEL: 01253-342263
12 Station Road, Blackpool Tel: 01253-343012
Our 13th year at Langroyd and we look forward to another happy and successful 1992. Members of BNTVA and associates always welcome. □ Fully licensed □ Excellent menus □ Modem bedrooms with tea making 1 facilitries and tv's □ No meters □ Some en-sdites □ Lovely dining room, comfortable lounge afnd frindly licensed bar □ All the amenities needed to help you enjoy your stay K PROPRIETOR: TREVOR COX
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n Situated opposite South Pier 1 Large, comfortable bar/lounge .1 Spacious separate dining room ~1 Excellent varied menus 1 Choice of standard or en-suite bedrooms with all facilities "l Full central heating f Proprietors - Pat and Will* Tayloijft
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