June 2005

' .. .•.1

ml

‘GOODBYE & THANK YOU’ TO KEN Page 16

Alexander Harris

IMPORTANT LITIGATION UPDATES Pages 12

& 14

pUpBl

REMEMBRANCE AT PORTSMOUTH CATHEDRAL Pages 8 & 9

AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND VISITORS Pages 2 & 6

NOW\b Pages 4 Pages COLOUR OC**l British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association

'All we seek is Justice*

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE ___ “LSC enters an exercise in trivia, repetitive requests and naive observations and demands" - Hoy Sefton N3E Chairman

BNTVA Members swing into action again

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON MoD Executive Committee members were showing increased concern at the slow MoD response to the litigation and so a meeting with Lord Jack Ashley at the House of Lords was arranged in order to ask his invaluable advice.

BNTVA wanted to listen to his advice on ‘the way forward’ because of the difficulties imposed by the MoD and LSC. Lord Jack has known the Association many years and kindly said ‘yes’ to a meeting in March.

Lord Jack told the deputation two things: The first is to keep on fighting and do not give up. “You have a just cause,” he said. “Take your fight again to your individual MP’s. Make some noise!” The second thing he said was that he would personally set up a meeting with the Minister for Veterans Affairs (Mr Caplin), himself and two BNTVA representatives.

Immediately, Litigation Secretary Dereck Redfern worked through two days and nights and wrote to all 2,700 BNTVA contacts with advice on what to do and how to contact MP’s, which members did in abundance.

As a result, questions have been raised in the House of Commons and MP’s who are sympathetic have raised just concerns at the disgraceful delaying conduct of the MoD and LSC.

From Derick Redfern to John Walden to Charles Clarke to Geoff Hoon

Secretary of State for Defence on 2lsl March 2005. 'My constituent Reverend Walden, visited me at my surgery on Friday to discuss the issue of the British Nuclear Test Veterans. Revd Walden summarised the issue in a letter to me, which I enclose.

(Ed: letter from DR)

you

all

received

a

sample

It would appear to me that these people have waited an unreasonable amount of time for their day in court and the timescale laid down is ridiculous.

(Heavy type mine - Ed)

I would be grateful if you could inform me as to the current status of this issue in a format that I may pass to my constituent. I look forward to your speedy reply.

Charles Clarke.

[NO REPLY AS AT 1st mY 2005!]

POLITICIANS PLEASE READ THIS

Following a Surgery meeting with his local MP, Home Secretary Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP, wrote to John Walden enclosing a c o p y of his letter t o Geoff Hoon,

FACT 1: Test Explosion ‘KITE’ at Maralinga 1956 - the nuclear fallout blew back as far as Adelaide (Mr Tony Blair there at the time). Dust dropped for over a week.

FACT 2: The dust was sucked into all the air conditioning systems as base camp including THE SICK QUARTERS / MESS HALLS / MAIN OFFICES. All service and scientific personnel ingested nuclear stuff.

FACT 3: All Maralinga based personnel (British - Australian - Canadian) ate contaminated food during this period.

FACT 4: All service and scientific personnel - whether on the ground / handling crews or back office admin staff, were placed in danger. THIS IS AN UNDISPUTED FACT. FACT 5: BNTVA has a just cause & all we seek is justice. |

ALL WE SEEK IS JUSTICE - ALL WE SEEK IS JUSTICE - ALL WE SEEK is JUSTICE - ALL WE SEEK 1$

NOW PROVE US WRONG!

that it is affordable from a cash limited budget. I can assure you that our handling of the Atomic Veterans' case is in accordance with the standard procedure that we apply to any multi party action.

Clare Dodgson, Chief Executive

Many BNTVA members took up the challenge and wrote to their MP’s and here is just another sample of the terrific response to this seeming injustice and dismissive treatment of the Veteran’s cause.

IS THIS AIM ABUSE OF POWER? LIES? DECEIT? SHENANIGANS?

FROM: Eddie O'Hara MP (Knowsley South) Dear Mr Guignet, I am indeed well acquainted with the history of this matter and have taken it up on a number of occasions both personally and in support of other MPs. I am also aware of an answer given by the Constitutional Affairs Minister David Lammy MP on the 8th of March, which I attach, and I have therefore tabled an Early Day Motion also attached, calling upon the Legal Services Commission to make a decision on funding in time for the Multi-Party Action to proceed within the deadline of April 23rd. I am sure that this will attract more support for your cause of which the government will take due note.

Yours sincerely, Eddie O'Hara

Report on the Meeting of Veterans Plenary 23rd March 2005 by Dereck Heaps

Mr Ivor Caplin did not attend the meeting until 1235 hrs - 2 hours 20 minutes late. He was supposed to be there to answer questions from the floor as the Minister of Veterans Affairs but often he switched to being Minister for the MoD when it suited him in avoiding various questions.

AT LONG LAST A REPLY FROM THE LSC

I managed to get my question in second place by having a word with one of the personnel with a roving microphone. “Derek Heaps, Vice-Chairman of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association. The Association have requested the Legal Services Commission to fund litigation which we wish to undertake against the MoD. Last year Lord Brennan QC said we had a good case. The LSC sent our solicitors a list of questions who promptly answered within a few days. We waited - nothing. Then our solicitors asked again, the LSC sent the same list of questions with a few more added. These were answered within three days.

Last week they sent a statement to Tyne Tees TV that they are still waiting the answers to their questions, which they have. We see this as time wasting. In light that the Government has increased the Legal Aid to illegal immigrants by 300% a few weeks ago. Why do the LSC stumble over our application for ex-servicemen to obtain his legal rights?”

To: Rt Hon Gillian Shepherd MP DL From: Clare Dodgson, Chief Executive LSC 210t March 2005.

Thank you for your letter of 17th March 2005 on behalf of Mr Wilcox and Mr Taylor who are members of he BNTVA. Mr Wilcox and Mr Taylor are concerned that a decision has not been reached about whether to extend the funding we provided for the Atomic Veterans Multi Party Action against the MoD. We have so far provided limited funding to enable two firms of solicitors to undertake preliminary investigations on behalf of the Atomic Veterans.

This group includes British Veterans but also a number of New Zealand and Fijian nationals. About half qualify financially for Legal Aid but about half do not.

At the outset in 2002 the Commission made it clear that we would not allow funding to issue proceedings notwithstanding any limitation issue unless the case was clearly meritorious. The solicitors have issued proceedings but we did not fund this.

A contract was entered into with the solicitors in late 2003. That contract set out what information would be required to allow further funding. The solicitors reported to the Commission with a request for further funding in the appropriate form in late October 2004. We were not, and despite detailed correspondence with the solicitors, still are not, satisfied that the solicitors have provided the information they agreed to provide.

We are concerned that this situation has arisen.

The solicitors were aware of the information we required, and the time they had to produce it given the time limitation on bringing legal proceedings.

We understand that the solicitors are seeking an extension of time from the MoD in which to serve proceedings.

The Commission cannot make a decision either way at the moment as we do not have the information the solicitors contracted to provide. The information is crucial, as we need to assess a number of factors relating to the merits of the case in detail before committing a potentially very large sum of taxpayers money. A partner at one of the firms is currently reviewing the case in an attempt to resolve the position.

When the information is provided the Commission will assess the case and if it is agreed that the tests are met, the case will be considered for further funding.

Whilst I understand Mr Wilcox's and Mr Taylor's concern that a decision on further funding has not been reached, I am sure you will appreciate that as multi party actions tend to be very expensive and are often unsuccessful, we must be satisfied that the merits of the case justify further funding and

The Minister replied, “A Government Department cannot impose on another" and then switched to the next question.

BNTVA Welcomes New Zealand Visitors Roy and Joan Sefton Worldwide Alliance Strengthened writes: For some Roy

m o n t h s, Morningside Productions, a New Zealand TV Company, has been following my movements as the NZ Nuclear Test Veterans Association chairman and the unfolding events relating to the legal issues involved in the joint BNTVA / NZNTVA / Fijian legal action against the UK MoD. Following a meeting with the legal team at Alexander Harris offices in Altrincham, my wife and I travelled to Portsmouth for the 19 th February Commemoration Service in the Cathedral. This provided an opportunity for the joint executives to discuss events arising from that meeting.

The NZ film crew began filming my visit to the UK, at the well attended, impressive and well organised 2

the new Branch Standard of the London branch of BNTVA was dedicated and subsequently paraded with Standards from the Portsmouth, North West and the local Sea Cadet Unit. Also paraded were the national flags of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati and the Aborigine people and borne by members of the local Air Cadets.

BNTVA Portsmouth Service. An event that will impress viewers in NZ and hopefully, later in the UK. TVNZ, the documentary funder, has insisted that both sides of the nuclear testing issues be sought. As such, NZNTVA has provided the production company with a wealth of information enabling them to locate and interview academics in NZ and the UK. Of particular interest is an interview with the cx-Director of the NZ Radiological Laboratory, Dr Andrew McEwan. He has for decades in line with UK NRPB opinion, claims that no NZ servicemen were exposed to radiation at Operation Grapple.

To obtain counter opinion, l accompanied the TV crew to interview scientists in the UK and elsewhere. A Manchester University interview involved a scientist in nuclear affairs. He firmly debunked the argument of no exposure to radiation from both the NRL and the NRPB. We also travelled through Wales and the Midlands to obtain like opinion from other academics.

At the time of writing, there are serious issues regarding the UK LSC continued funding of the legal action. As such, the legal outcome may not be included in the documentary. The research involving NZ veterans at Massey University in NZ, may however, be a scale tipping event. Markers indicating DNA damage through radiation exposure could enable the legal team to secure full funding for the legal action.

Additionally, both the BNTVA and NZNTVA have planned action through the media and elsewhere to expose the deceitful tactics of the UK LSC and bring funding back on course. Simple justice demands that our case be tested in a court of law, not by the UK LSC. Our legal affairs are no longer a matter of ‘Causation’ and in particular, ‘funding by the LSC’, but a matter of our human rights. I hope that our legal briefs will firmly support that view and fight alongside of us to obtain a settlement through the courts or negotiation.

The SNZ 25,000 research project results should be available to me, on my return to NZ in early March. This information, including interviews with the Massey University scientists, NZ politicians, other agencies and individuals, will be included in the documentary, which should be available for viewing in NZ in June 2005.

[EDITOR NOTE: Roy was really unwell throughout his stay in UK and we wish him a speedy recovery and ‘thanks’ for meeting with us and joining in at Portsmouth.]

The Ceremony was in the presence of the Deputy Lieutenant of the London Borough of Newham Colonel Dunning OBE, TD, LE and the Civic Ambassador of the London Borough of Newham Councillor Patrick Holland and Mr Richard Annis representing th< Co-operative Society. Visiting members of BNTVA and their families and local members with their families and local residents ensured a good turn out.

In the absence through illness of Peter Fletcher OBE, Honorary' President of BNTVA, his daughter Pauline officially invited the Reverends to dedicate the Memorial Stone. The Act of Dedication and Remembrance followed and then the Last Post, the Silence and Reveille allowed many a quiet and personal prayer of Remembrance. After formal prayers and the Hymn ‘Guide me O Thou great Redeemer' there was the Blessing and concluded with the National Anthem.

All arc indebted to Ken Taylor for organising the day and the clergy for conducting the Service and local Cadets for attending and so London has a significant setting for the Memorial. The nearby ‘Trowel and Telegraph' provided good after Sendee food.

LONDON STONE DEDICATED

i

On Saturday 12th February 2005 the BNTVA Chaplain, The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling, unveiled the London Branch Memorial Stone inside All Saints West Ham Parish Church.

The black stone with its gold inscription and BNTVA crest is situated on the north wall below a Union Jack and a Memorial Plaque to the Royal Marine Bandsmen killed in Deal in 1998.

The Service was conducted by the vicar Revd Dr Julian Scharf and the Address was given by Dean Frayling. Prior to the unveiling of the Memorial Stone,

Here are the ‘Borders Boys’ during a Social evening on Christmas Island 1957 Where are: Egan, Winning, Gray, Nichol, Little, McFarlane, Hardy, Jeffrey, Bogle, Jackson, Tennant, Aitchison, Richardson, Hartley, Horsburgh, Purvis, Moffat?

3

BALLOON UNIT ARRIVING IN ADELAIDE

Editorial Dressing Jenifer Lopez I thought that 1 would inject a little bit of tabloid nonsense into Campaign during this silly summer season. It will gladden a few old men’s hearts and pump up the heartbeat as the corpuscle is activated and the metatarsus starts twitching and the Warfarin users will feel a temperature rise! Gone are the days of having a pin-up on the inside of your locker.

The truth is - I had never heard of Miss Lopez until she was pictured on the opening screen of my ISP one day during a vV cold and wet spell. The news article that day was all about fn • v what so called ‘celebrities’ were wearing to a film premier.

As if I was interested! But M apparently, millions of the - •*: i . V ‘younger’ generation are. It matters to them very much.

As my wife said - “Darling, you are past it!” This was yet Li:* another ‘senior moment’ when some truths hit home. It ‘hit home’ again when 1 was preparing to attend the Bom: 24 July 1970, The Bronx, Veterans Forum (MoD New York. Born Jennifer Lynn Lopez - 24 July 1970. Started Veterans Agency) in London in off as a backup dancer for Janet March which actually illness Jackson in the 80s. In addition to the music and films, J.Lo has prevented me attending. clothing and perfume lines and Part of my briefing papers owns a production company. was to research into Ivor Famous for: Being an all­ MP, Minister for singing, all-dancing Hollywood Caplin superstar, complete with diva Veterans Affairs. Up came his behaviour; having a penchant for birth date - 8th November wedding bells; having a pretty 1958. It suddenly dawned on impressive posterior.________ me - HE WAS BORN AFTER THE NUCLEAR TESTS AT MARALINGA and I had seen and experienced things that he will hopefully never see and experience, and yet here he was daring to make cynical pronouncements about our Veterans or their widows welfare with the usual MoD denials.

Truly, we live in another generation. Whilst ‘this generation’ bothers about peripheral and silly and inconsequent things, we still have to battle to get justice for the things we went through all those years ago.

As you read last time, Mr Caplin did not respond with granting the Editor an interview in time for the General Election but at long last he did respond by letter. You have an opportunity of reading it. Then, of course, another new Minister was appointed after the General Election. Thank you for introducing yourself at Blackpool, I can now match a name to more faces! johia, waldevi

I

J

Dick Sowerby, new BNTVA member from Harrogate found the Association via the Australian Nuclear Test Association web site and made contact with us. He is interested in meeting any of the men on this photo, or anyone who knows the whereabouts of any of the Balloon Unit Vets from Maralinga.

This photo came from the Adelaide Advertiser and shows the chaps of the Balloon Unit from Cardington, all happy after a stay at the Reef Hotel Hawaii and three extra days in San Francisco - a holiday before the work began in 1957! (Can you spot the Editor in the photo?)

Dick Sowerby, 18 Truro Road, Harrogate HG3 2TD or e-mail: dicksowerbv@tcsmail.nel

: M

L .

t.

•

*■:

OK - ITS FIGHTING TALK! FACTS FROM GOVERNMENT’S OWN DOCUMENTS BNTVA Veterans did face danger EXPOSED - Successive Governments COVER UP - LIES - DENIAL - FALSIFICATION - SPIN Document Report - 1

'—x?v.s.v;—

Ham . HUNK

From: Service Commander, Task Force "Antler" To: Commander Air Task Group Antler Date: 13th October 1957 Ref: ATF/S.5014/Air Transient Canberras of No. 76 Squadron - Nandi and Canton

1. Aircraft of No. 76 Squadron flying to Christmas Island and stopping at Nandi and Canton, may be radio-active internally, but will normally be clear externally. There appear to be no regulations in force governing the transit of radio active aircraft through international civil airports such as Nandi and Canton. Therefore, some guidance must be given to crews as to what to say if questioned, and what to do, if a major component has to be changed whilst the aircraft are at either of these two places.

www.thesundavsermon.com 4

I

2. The following guidance is to be given to the Officer Commanding, No. 76 Squadron:(a) What to sav. The fact that an engine may be ‘hot’ should be concealed from the Nandi authorities unless they ask, in which case, they should be informed that the aircraft is clean externally, but that there may be some radio activity inside the engine. The fact that R.A.F. servicing personnel will be carrying out inter­ flight inspections without taking any special precautions, should reassure the authorities. They should also be told, in the event of an engine change, that the wearing of special clothing including gloves, is a normal precaution with internally contaminated aircraft, and that there is no danger to inhabitants of the island, either through direct contamination or contaminating ground. (b) What to do. In the event of an engine change being required, the O.C. No. 76 Squadron or the senior aircrew officer, is to send an Operational Immediate signal to the Commanding Officer, Air Task Group Antler, Edinburgh Field, copy to Task Force Commander, Grapple X, requesting the despatch of a spare engine, servicing and health physics personnel, together with sufficient clothing and gloves and their equipment as required by the Health Physics Officer, Edinburgh Field. The engine should be changed and transported to Edinburgh Field in a Hastings for disposal in accordance with current regulations.

3. In addition, each crew is to be in possession of a certificate signed by a Health Physics Officer, as follows: “This is to certify that during normal transit operations, this aircraft constitutes no radiological hazard, in all respects covered by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.”

PROPOSED CHANNEL 4 TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY JULIA STOVELLsays: I am a freelance documentary director currently researching stories about British Veterans involved in nuclear testing for a documentary proposal for Channel 4.

I met and interviewed one of your members Malcolm Pike of Bexhill on Sea recently who told me about BNTVA. I am keen to find out more about other veteran’s experiences, particularly if they have suffered ill health which they believe to have been caused from involvement with these tests.

In particular: • Aircrew involved with dropping of the bombs, • Aircrew involved in air-tests and photographic reconnaissance after the bombs were dropped, • Sufferers from Multiple Myeloma and associated cancers, • Widows who may want to share their own and their husband’s stories, • Or any of your members who would be willing to share some of their experiences with me about their involvement with the tests.

As a director I have previously worked for Channel 4 and I.W.C media on A boy in a Million’ an intimate portrait of a young boy living with Proteus Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, which is due to be broadcast later this year.

I would be most grateful if anyone interested in particular at this stage could contact me by e-mail or letter with some of their experiences.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Julia Stovell 32 Collington Park Crescent Bexhill on Sea East Sussex TN39 3RF e-mail: Julia@jstovell.fsnet.co.uk Tel: 07816 758 896

Signed: Health Physics. Maralinga [Ed: Typing copy errors may have occurred due to multi-generation original]

NEXT TIME - Another MoD busting document

IVOR CAPLIN MP (Labour) ANSWERS THE NINE QUESTIONS (see March 2005 Campaign)

For a 3 page read that denies 'everything1 send a first class addressed envelope to the Editor. One sentence states: “The MoD has every confidence in these (3) NRPB independent studies. ” Quote: “You know, we don’t really know what the effects will be ...”

From Dr Penny, UK Chief Scientist, to Ric Johnstone, now Australian Nuclear Veterans Chairman, ________ when at Maralinga 1956________ ‘THANK YOU’ to our friends at Blackpool Salvation Army Citadel for their kind hospitality again. Our AGM Annual Service was well attended.

ADVANCE DATE - Anglia Region dedication of new Standard will be held at NORWICH CATHEDRAL on Saturday 29th October 2005. Details from Keith Holmes Tel: 01603 436 899 5

l

Paul Brown, Writer/ Facilitator Nuclear Testing Theatre Project in Australia visits UK Maralinga Vets

material from our project as part of their new Maralinga exhibitions.

4. Script Development: Anthony Weigh, who is now Belvoir's Literary Manager, has suggested a new series of discussions / workshops across this year to help re-organise and edit the script. We're not sure exactly when these will be, but you’re input in this process will be most welcome. There is a possibility that Belvoir could mount a Third reading of the play this year, preferably in the lead up to the Ettalong season.

5. Filming: Late last year I met with film maker Peter Butt, who produced / directed the documentary ‘Silent Storm.’ Peter has kindly offered to be involved in documentation of the project, and potentially in the preparation of the 'moving pictures' we might include in a performance.

6. The larger project; ongoing research: As most of you know, we now envisage a longer lasting and broader scale project that, in effect, creates a 'celebration' (probably not quite the right word) of the many aspects of nuclear testing. For example, this may eventually be a four-hour performance piece, with filmic elements, that weaves together the veteran’s story with the perspectives of Aboriginal people, plus the tale of scientific controversy that surrounds the test and 'big picture' political material that gives the tests and their aftermath their overall context. In the second half of 2005, we will take all of this a few steps further, through contacts already made with Aboriginal groups in South Australia, and through research into the roles and actions of various scientists and politicians. This is all long range work, with 2007 the earliest that a performance could be created. There are possibilities for taking such a show to the UK, and to Australian festivals.

7. Academic and analytical work: There continues to be ever-rising interest in the project from analysts of verbatim theatre, socially conscious theatre, theatre about place and about ecology, and theatre about war.

We already have offers of publication in two academic outlets - one book and one journal. There would also seem to be a good chance of Currency Press publishing the play script(s), which would set us on track for getting (e.g.) the Veterans play into schools and theatre companies around Australia and overseas.

•nail YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT

This is a brief update on the ever-expanding Maralinga project. There'll probably be further updates across the next few months, since things are on the move.

1. ’Half a Life’: We've started to refer to this as the 'Veterans Play', since the objective remains a well structured two hour piece based almost entirely on the interviews with veterans and their families. There remains a strong possibility of an Australian premiere some time this year, and we are waiting on funding application results. We applied for a 'Sharing Australian Stories' grant from the Federal government, and should know about this by the end of March. If that's not successful, we have a very good chance of funding through the Australia Council, with an April closing date and funds available by August. This would put the season somewhere in September-Octobcr. The likely venue remains the Ettalong War Memorial Club, near Gosford, and the Club has already offered substantial support in kind; and may also be willing to provide some cash. A one-week season with three weeks preparation is what we envisage.

2. British connection: I am about to go to the UK for two weeks, straight after Easter. This is now confirmed.

There are three reasons for this trip. One is to conduct a series of interviews with Maralinga British Nuclear Veterans, and the British Veterans Association has kindly offered to auspice this part of the project. These interviews will be incorporated into 'Half a Life'. I am also meeting with British Director Lucy Skilbeck who approached us about the possibility of a UK season or at least a reading of the veterans play - also potentially some time this year. The third reason to go is that an international seminar on theatre projects associated with war has invited a presentation about our work. The pretext is that our project does indeed concern a war - the Cold War, and that the kind of experiences of nuclear veterans, both immediate and long term, are comparable to those of veterans in other wars. This kind of academic connection is helpful for stirring up interest.

3. South Australian Museum: We have just started discussing with the museum the possibility of presenting

IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS HISTORIC PROJECT - and you have a story or reminiscence from Maralinga and are a veteran or a widow of a veteran - PLEASE MAKE CONTACT with the Editor and we will pass on your name and address and telephone number to the UK Project Co-ordinator Lucy Skilbeck. Tel: 01603 746 062

WANTED Photograph of RAF Cardington 1960’s or Operation Antler Tie or Balloon Unit Badge ON LOAN FOR THREE DAYS SO THAT I CAN SCAN them and return to owner Please contact: John Walden 01603 746 062 A BROKEN PROMISE - Campaign promised a full page each time for Branch News but this edition was too full with the LITIGATION news to include it Sony.

6

NOTICE BOARD HOURS OF BUSINESS! The Executive Committee would be most obliged if members would kindly refrain from making telephone calls to them between the hours of 9.00 pm and 9.00 am. We all have elderly relatives and calls between these times tend to cause upset and alarm to members of ones family. The ideal time to contact most members of the Executive is during the morning. Thank you.

Here's a picture taken on the night Royal Mail post tram as the sorters get the sacks full of the thousands of March Caption Competition entries ready for delivery to Norwich NR5

THE WINNER of our March Caption Competition is: Gerry Gribben of Hull “I don’t like the look of that cloud up there.” A magnificent PRIZE is now on the way from our BNTVA Shop Manager. Sorry - the Reef Hotel Waikiki Beach was booked solid with returning Veterans on a nostalgic trip.

BNTVA WEB SITE - sorry - further delay in re-launch due to work overload - but it is coming! Work has started. Ed.

We would like to thank all the members who sent good wishes to Ken and Eileen. I’m sure all his family appreciated this gesture.

FEEDBACK - What do you think about Campaign magazine?

B XT VA SHOP Trevor Butler, 75 Woldcarr Road Hull Humberside HU3 6TR Tel: 01482 571 431 Badges - Car Key Rings Badges - Blazer Badges - Lapel Cuff Links (pair) Caps Ties-BNTVA

3.00 2.00 12.00 2.50 5.00 11.501 6.00

Shirts-S Shirts-M Shirts-L Shirts - XL Tie Pins - Blue Tie Pins - BNTVA Ties - Grapple

12.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 1.00 3.00 7.00 The ANVA & BNTVA are pleased to announce the arrival of our new medal The Commemorative British Nuclear Weapons Tests Medal' Award Productions Ltd, international medallists and medallists to The Royal British Legion, has been invited to sponsor and produce this distinctive and befitting tribute to be worn with pride, not alongside campaign medals or gallantry decorations, but separately and distinctively. A completed application form is required for each full size medal. Application form and details of the medal (cost approximately £29.50) - send no money now - are available from: Award Productions Ltd (Dept. NUC) PO Box 300 Shrewsbury SY5 6WP, UK Telephone: 01952 510053 Fax: 01952 510765 E-Mail: award@crown-lane.co.uk _________ Web site: www.awardmedals.com

BNTVA OFFICERS 2005/6

X

X

British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association CHAIRMAN John G Lowe 45 Sheldrake Road Broadheath, Altrincham Cheshire WA14 5LJ Tel:/Fax: 0161 941 2164

VICE-CHAIRMAN & TRIBUNAL OFFICER Derek Heaps 4 Bakewell Drive Castle Donnington Derby DE74 2NF Tel:/Fax: 0133 281 1429

TREASURER Peter Williams 27 Hoel Myryddin Ffairfach Llandeilo Dyfed SA19 6PD Tel:/Fax: 01558 822 141

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Bob Smith 11 Holyknowe Crescent Lennoxtown Glasgow G65 7YD Tel: 01360 311 300 Fax: 01360 310 645

LITIGATION SECRETARY Derick Redfern 32 St Aubyn Crescent Newquay Cornwall TR7 2RQ Tel:/Fax: 01637 879 048

MINUTES SECRETARY & EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR Dave Riley 190 Locksway Road Milton Portsmouth P04 8LE Tel: 02392 735 669

WIDOW’S REPRESENTATIVE Mavis Gardner 30 Link Road Anstey Leicester LE7 7BY Tel:/Fax: 01162 364 737

PURCHASING & SALES CO-ORDINATOR Trevor Butler 75 Woldcarr Road Hull Humberside HU3 6TR Tel: 01482 571 431 Fax: 01482 569 241

CHILDREN’S REPRESENTATIVE Martin Blackburn 154 Astley Street Tyldesley Manchester M29 7AX Tel: 01942 887 566 ADVISORS TO THE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT ADVISING SOLICITOR Peter Fletcher mbe Ian Greenhalgh lib 11 Lord Street 15 Beech Hall Street St Helens Wigan WN6 7HX Merseyside WA10 2SJ Tel: 01942 820 202 Tel:/Fax: 01744 630 612 Fax: 0870 250 1340 CHAPLAIN The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling ba. lld Dean of Chichester The Deanery Canon Lane Chichester West Sussex P019 1PX CAMPAIGN MAGAZINE EDITOR & WEB MASTER Revd John Walden F.lnstSMM, MA

11 Hemmings Close Norwich NR5 9EH Tel: 01603 746 062 reverendjghnfflhmiil IMl

NATIONAL STANDARD BEARER Terry Washington 'Little Hay' 8 Butley Close Tytherington Macclesfield SK10 2HL Tel: 01625

The Sermon Preached by BNTVA Chaplain The Ver; at Portsmouth Cathedral on Saturday 1 9th F< 1*1 Epistle of Peter, chapter 1 - ^Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6ln this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith -of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. ^Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Those words were written to a Christian community which was facing persecution. The writer, perhaps St Peter, perhaps someone writing in his name, was urging his readers - and his hearers, because the words were read aloud - to get their priorities right.

At a time when the dreaded knock might come on the door at any moment, they are urged to keep the faith. Through that faith, especially in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, they would inherit new life more wonderful than anything they had known before. For sure, there would be trials and tribulations along the way, but they would emerge with their love intact, and would rejoice “with indescribable and glorious joy.”

I don’t suppose it felt like that at the time, but as their problems multiplied, so were they urged all the more to remember the great Christian virtues of faith and hope and love.

Like those early Christians, we arc meeting for this Ceremony of Dedication in a church in an act of worship. The God in whom we believe is a God of compassion, and he is a God who promises deliverance for his faithful people. Nowhere does he promise that that process will be easy, and the experience of Jesus Christ His only Son suggests that the journey may often be the way of suffering.

There is a real connection between that theme of present suffering and new life, and the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association. Our motto, a very simple one, is “All we seek is justice” and that has a future reference. It looks forward to a belter time, a time when present frustrations and difficulties will have given way to due recognition and dignity. Most of us here today would associate ourselves with our campaign for justice, for many of you, and in some cases members of your families, are suffering severe physical, or in some cases psychological, damage as a result of sendee undertaken in the name and under the authority of the British Crown.

•n!

Tii-inr?

Slip

MTU

- •, m ■

Hi

y 4*

' «*|F : ■

rx

r~

\

r.A

'

WM ~’.=£=

k^ -•

Mii ..01,.

-

■

Q

I “It makes me ashamed, as a Christia •RllEjTS;itizen, that this issue should^tiu;

t

rs later: not have been resolved”

mm

As your Chaplain over the past seventeen years, I have met with sufficient veterans and their families to be certain of the rightness of our cause. I make no apology, in this fine Cathedral, the site of one of ten memorials that we have dedicated together during these years (the last just a week ago in East London) for re-telling the story, because as we retell the story so we remember. And as we remember, we arc inspired to continue the campaign for recognition and, if we are greatly blessed, we shall find our strength and our faith renewed as well.

There may be some present who are less familiar with the cause that has brought us together. It is poignant that I should be relating these events on the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Dresden and of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of the Second World War. 50 years ago, and during the following six years, 22,000 British servicemen participated in a series of nuclear tests at Monte Bellow, Maralinga, Christmas Island, Malden Island and in Australia. More than 14,000 directly witnessed the explosions. Contrary to an official propaganda film at the time, and subsequent government statements, no protective covering, either for bodies or eyes, was issued to the service personnel. In the sunny weather, most wore very little in the way of clothing.

Back in 1951, the Ministry of Defence stated, in a memorandum which remained secret for many years, that it needed to test the impact of radiation on human beings. The J

1

■

I

level Nicholas Frayling BA, LLD (Dean of Chichester) ruary 2005 with NZ TV recording the Service Director of Trials Planning at The Admiralty wrote: “111 effects may be long delayed. With any claims for compensation I feel that some formula might be accepted by Ministries which would dispose any Tribunal in favour of a claimant.”

Sir William Penney stated that there was a need for “adequate insurance for participating personnel, especially against radioactive hazards, without undue disclosure to insurance companies.”

Those highly damaging revelations arc now a matter of public record, yet back in 1990 the then Health Minister told the House of Commons in a debate on a private Member’s Bill, that “There is no evidence, cither medical or scientific, to link participation in the nuclear tests programme and the ill-health which some of the participants have subsequently suffered.”

And so they have gone on ... and on ... and on, denying a causal link. That is the issue, bluntly stated. It makes me ashamed, as a Christian and a British citizen, that this issue should still, 50 years later, not have been resolved. The BNTVA came into being 20 years ago to bring these matters to public attention, to press for recognition of a national debt of honour, and to urge the payment of fair and consistent pensions.

The Association is certain, backed by personal experience and information such as I have just quoted, that there is a clear causal link between radioactive fall-out and a wide range of sicknesses which have developed amongst its members who witnessed the explosions, and their descendants.

Nor was this problem confined to British servicemen. Military personnel in New Zealand, Australia and the United States faced similar conditions and the same difficulty in establishing the credibility of their cause, not to mention the Aboriginal people on whose tribal lands many of the tests took place. But in 1988 the United States enacted legislation to compensate atomic veterans who were ill with a range of designated cancers and certain other conditions, and also the relatives of those who had died. This was the result of persistent lobbying by veterans and members of Congress who knew an injustice when they saw one, and were prepared to stand up to the powerful institutions of government.

Congress came to accept what our own Ministry of Defence and successive governments have failed to accept, that absolute cause-and-effect proof of a causal link between nuclear tests and later sickness would be very hard to obtain, and demeaning for living veterans and the families of the dead. Senator Jay Rockefeller, of West Virginia, said in Congress: “I think it is time to bring an end to the research and to the injustice and to respond with recognition and compassion to what these people went •through in the line of duty. We know enough to act.”

And President Ronald Reagan, commenting on the new legislation to pay fair and consistent pensions, added: “The nation

v; > V.J, r

’

w' t

/

< ’>. I'N

is grateful for their special sendee, and enactment of the law makes clear the nation’s concern for their continued welfare.”

Here in Britain, the authorities continue to shelter behind studies by the National Radiological Protection Board which have continued to find “no causal link” and which has reaffirmed that in successive reports. For a number of reasons, the Association believes those surveys to have been flawed, but in any case, the United States concluded that hard and fast proof would be impossible to obtain, especially after the passage of so many years. The veterans believe that subsequent research has greatly strengthened their claims.

It is my hope and prayer, and, I would imagine those of everybody present, that the British Nuclear Tests Veterans - you - will be vindicated in your campaigns. Perhaps the word “nuclear” continues to have unhappy political connotations?

Perhaps those in authority fear that the public sympathy would not extend to approving dignified recognition and fair financial provision for those who have suffered so much in the service of their country? I can only say that I have yet to meet anyone from any walk of life who, when confronted with the situation that faces you, is not deeply indignant at the continuing need to campaign for justice. When people understand that we are here speaking of young men who willingly served the Crown and their nation in time of peace, seven or more years after the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had become known, they readily realise that we too know enough to act.

I began with those words of St Peter. He writes of the kingdom of God, a kingdom of hope, and gives a teaching which invites us to hold on to faith when sometimes there is little else to hold on to. We need to remind ourselves that today’s ceremony, although it has at its heart an Act of Remembrance, is not just about the past. It is full of hope and a reminder that hope binds us all together in love. I believe that the words we have heard from scripture, together with the whole of this sendee, will continue to provide inspiration and hope for all who have taken part. As I have said, the words in our Lesson were written to a suffering community and they have inspired people in different kinds of suffering for all these hundreds of years.

My last word to you, I dare to claim, as your Chaplain, is also God’s word. It is that Jesus hears our prayers this day. He who suffered the very worst that the world could do and turned it into triumph will not be deaf to the cries of those who suffer.

May God bless every one of you and your families. May this annual service and the Portsmouth memorial inspire all of us to remember the service and the sacrifice which you and your comrades have given, and may you, in God’s good time, “rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you receive the outcome of your faith - the salvation of your souls.*' Amen. ©NF

But now we do know why those men were ordered to stand in the line of fire of the most powerful weapon mankind had then invented. In a report to the military Chiefs of Staff marked Top Secret but released recently through the Public Record Office, a note dated 14 February 1951 and headed 'Atomic Weapon Trials' says "The Army must discover the detailed effects of various types of explosion on equipment, stores, and men with and without various types of protection."

The scientists and other personnel wore protective suits and kept out of the way of the blast. Those tested 'without protection', apart from thin tropical clothing were the troops, many of them national servicemen.

When I went to meet Peter at his St Helens home and four of his comrades who had witnessed nuclear tests or cleared up after them I expected to hear about their diseases. It was an even longer list than I had feared.

Chris Rowlands, who stood about eight miles from three nuclear tests in South Australia's Great Victoria Desert wearing just a shirt, slacks and plimsolls, has ischaemic heart disease and deteriorating discs in his spine, the first place hit by the flash of the explosion. Bob Parkinson who spent nearly 12 months clearing up after nuclear explosions at Christmas Island, has a mysterious and undiagnosed bowel disease. And Sid Harris, an RAF corporal, who served on Christmas Island after the tests, and remembers their tent village being soaked every day with DDT from a crop-spraying aircraft to control the flies, has acute heart disease, swelling of his sinuses, and arthritis in his hips and knees.

But what I did not expect was to hear about the medical problems of their children. Like Peter's 43-yearold daughter Pauline. "She never had any children.

Recently she had a hysterectomy and the doctor said her womb was all sort of glued together. She could never have had a child."

And Sid's sons "Trevor died when he was 12 of a very rare bone and brain disease. Colin, he had bowel cancer at 34. He's in remission now, touch wood, after an operation and chemotherapy. My eldest, thank God he's OK." And Hugh's children "Colin, he's 41 and has deformed toes. He has operations but they just come back the same. Raymond he's the eldest, had asthma since he was a baby and now has ME [myalgic encephalomyelitis]. And Angela, she's 38 but has had to retire because of spondylitis [inflammation of the spine] in her back." And it does not stop there. "Angela's youngest daughter Emma, she's 6 now and has bowel trouble. She may need an operation. Her other children are OK. Well, apart from the fact they all have asthma."

Bowel cancer, bone deformities, lung disease, arthritis, heart trouble - there seems to be a pattern of illness that descends the generations. But it is almost impossible to prove that exposure to nuclear tests - or powerful organo-phoshpate insecticides - actually caused the diseases, which these men and their children exhibit.

Certainly the Government and the Ministry of Defence do not accept any link at all. In 1993 the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published a study which followed up more than 21,000 men who had, according to Ministry of Defence records, been involved in the nuclear tests. The report compared them with a similar group of men who had not participated and studied how many of each group died and what of. The

This article first appeared in Saga Magazine November 1998

REAPING THE HURRICANE No pensions for nuclear test veterans or their families Filed by Paul Lewis (Journalist and Broadcaster) I broadcast every Saturday on BBC Radio 4, presenting Money Box at noon. I also present the phone-in Money Box Live in alternate months, on Mondays at 3 pm.

I occasionally still pop up on Radio 5 Live. I also write regularly for Saga Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and Radio Times and on occasional Saturdays in The Daily Telegraph

A few minutes before nine o'clock in the morning of October 3, 1952, the Royal Navy vessel HMS Tracker was standing off the northwest coast of Australia, a few miles west of Trimouille, one of the Monte Bello islands.

It was the climax of Operation Hurricane. Hugh Highton was one of Tracker's stokers. But his superiors told him he had more important things to do than tend the engines. "We were ordered to parade up on deck. All I had on was a pair of shorts, sandals and a hat. No shirt.

We were told to turn our backs and then I shut my eyes and put my hands over them. Like this."

He clenches his fists and puts the backs of his hands hard into his eye sockets. "We knew it was going to be an explosion. We were never told it was an atom bomb though it had come through the grapevine. They started the countdown and there was this flash and I could see right through my hands, the bones in them, it was like an x-ray of my hands, even though my eyes were shut.

Then there was more like a roar, a rumble than a bang.

And then we turned round and opened our eyes and just after there was this hot wind and you could feel it like grit hitting your body. The ship rocked slightly. And that was it."

Britain's first atomic bomb test was over. By modern standards it was a small enough device - an A-bomb with a thousandth the explosive power of some of the later H-bombs. But what those early weapons lacked in force, they made up for in the dirty, radioactive nature of their debris. Hugh's diseases read like a casualty intake sheet bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, angina, osteoarthritis, hiatus hernia, and diverticulitis. He is 69.

Was the bomb the cause? "I don't know. They won't tell you. But no-one else in my family has any of these things."

Peter Fletcher - currently vice-chairman of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association - was also at Monte Bello islands in 1952, on board HMS Zeebrugge. He wore a shirt. But he didn’t close his eyes. "The sky lit up, like double daylight. Then we were told to turn round, and we saw the black cloud. Then the sound of the explosion. It wasn't just a bang, it seemed to echo and echo. Then we were hit by this hot wind, in our faces."

Peter is 63 but looks ten years older. He has leukaemia and his lungs are as bad as those of a miner who has been down the pits all his life. He spends 16 hours a day on oxygen. He puts his diseases down to that one exposure to a nuclear weapon. "At the time you didn’t ask why you were sent to parade and watch it. In the forces you just do what you’re told. We saw it and then got on with our lives."

10

single exception of the blood cancer leukaemia, the Department of Social Security simply does not accept the link between the diseases they have now and their exposure to the nuclear weapon tests. Only around a dozen veterans and their widows get a war disablement pension - out of the thousands who witnessed the events.

Peter Fletcher is modest in his demands for the surviving test veterans and widows. "I don't want compensation. I hate the word. Look. We didn’t get wounded in battle, lose legs or eyes. We were sent to a hot tropical island and made to witness one nuclear test.

We just want the Government to give us the benefit of the doubt about the cause of the diseases we now have, assess our disability and give us a war pension."

It would cost little enough. Even if all the surviving men who witnessed Britain's 21 atmospheric nuclear tests and the widows of the rest were given a war disablement pension and their average disability was assessed at 50%, it would cost barely £50 million a year. That is small change out of an annual budget for war pensions of more than £1 billion. The same documents which reveal that the men were exposed simply as a test to see if nuclear weapons affected the fighting ability of men on the ground also show that the issue of compensation was considered in the 1950s. Rear Admiral Torlisse warned in September 1951 that ”ill effects may be long delayed" and went on "I do feel that some formula might be accepted by Ministries which would dispose any tribunal in favour of a claimant ex’Hurricane1."

Veterans however, have found successive governments since the war determined not to act on that 47-year-old recommendation or admit that the tests caused any damage to those who were ordered to witness them. Hopes were raised in 1990 when 218 MPs voted to support an amendment to Social Security law proposed by Bob Clay, then the MP for Sunderland North. It would have given a war disablement pension to anyone who had been exposed to a nuclear test and who now had a cancer which radiation is known to cause. The amendment was defeated and the Conservative Government continued to ignore calls for compensation. But when the new Labour Government was elected in 1997, hopes grew again. Peter Fletcher was made an MBE. Most of those voting for the change in 1990 were labour MPs. Thirty-eight of them are now Government Ministers and no fewer than 17 of the 22 members of the present Cabinet voted for the change including Prime Minister Tony Blair, Defence Secretary George Robertson, and Social Security Secretary Alastair Darling. Sheila Gray told me how she felt when Labour came to power in May 1997 "We were very hopeful because from the very beginning the Labour Party were firmly behind us.

Everything we asked them to do they did, asking questions and so on but now it seems they were just using us as a weapon to oppose the Government."

Her bitterness is understandable. When Prime Minister Tony Blair was asked last year if he would give test veterans the compensation he had voted for in 1990 he replied "Some ex-servicemen who were present at the atmospheric nuclear tests are ill. However, I am bound to repeat that there is no evidence of excessive illness or mortality amongst all of the veterans as a group that could be linked to exposure to radiation as a result of

report concluded from the figures that there may be a small possibility that the test participants had a slightly higher chance of developing leukaemia. But that apart, the conclusion was clear "participation in the nuclear weapon testing programme has not had a detectable effect on the participants' expectation of life nor on their risk of developing cancer or other diseases."

This report has been used by successive governments to refuse any pension or compensation to the thousands of surviving veterans who witnessed nuclear tests. Sheila Gray, secretary of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association, describes this report as her 'bete noire'. Her husband Frank was a Royal Marine whose open landing craft was just two miles from the Monte Bello detonation. When he died in 1992 he had four serious heart conditions, a rare eye disease which is only caused by radiation, severe arthritis and crumbling bones. He was 62. She is dismissive of the NRPB report. She says the records it used were inaccurate, that it added in 5000 men who had only been at the test sites before the detonations, that the control group were not checked for their own exposure to radiation, that it only looked at cancers which caused death, and that it only looked at data after 1971 when many of the veterans would already have died and up to 1990 when some would still not show the effects. She dismisses it as 'a scientific curiosity'.

"We know that our men are being harmed, we know that our children have been genetically damaged and our grandchildren have been damaged. I’ll give you one astounding fact. In the normal population, one child in 100000 has adrenal cancer - in our group it is four in 2500. You can see the similarities with the Chernobyl men, with the New Zealand men, the Fijians. But New Zealand and the USA have both accepted it and are paying pensions to their test veterans."

A major study, independent of the Government and the Ministry of Defence, is begin carried out at the University of Dundee Medical School. Sue Roff is in charge of it. She has analysed the medical circumstances of about 1500 test veterans, a third of them already dead. "The average age of death was just under 56 years. And around two thirds died of cancer, which is more than twice the going rate for the male population of Britain. Moreover those cancers are the same types as the US government accepts as radiogenic [caused by radiation] and looks for when it compensates its nuclear test veterans."

And among the living, her findings were equally stark.

"Out of every five, one says they are healthy, two say they are seriously ill and two say they are worried about their health. When I codify their illnesses I get a pattern which I believe is a pre-cancerous syndrome that will eventually turn into cancers of the blood and bone marrow." The men typically suffer from three kinds of illness muscular skeletal problems centering on the spine gastric problems centering on the gut, the stomach and the colon long enduring skin problems In addition the men look prematurely aged. She could have been describing the small sample of five nuclear test veterans whom I met in St Helens.

The Government does not accept Sue Roffs work and stands firmly behind the conclusions of the NRPB study. That makes it almost impossible for nuclear test veterans to get a war disablement pension. With the 11

discussion between the arrivals people they in forward area have "the bods stated requested help, so we are sending you". Once again on arrival at forward area no one knew I was coming, ended up in a large tent with no sides, a camp bed and crates for lockers, no showers or baths being available, we washed ourselves and everything in the lagoon with salt water soap. My job was to assist two AWRE communications, and engineers involved in retrieval of instruments from various sites in forward area. At no time were we supplied with special clothing, standard dress being shorts, no shirt and a pair of sandals. Before and after bomb tests we travelled all over forward area including ground zero. I was issued with a radiation badge but prior to leaving the Island, still having it went to the store tent and when the person there saw it said "oh you still got one of those, took it and threw it in a rubbish bin".

No educational facilities were available in forward area so I lost a complete year gaining nothing.

Eventually I gained the required education and recently retired from my position as a Project Manager in the Defence and Aerospace industry.

One question I have is, at the moment I am involved with the Litigation but often wonder if I should follow the Christian path and forgive and forget?

Best regards Sam Mauchline BNTVA No. M035 Australia

their participation in the tests. You fairly draw attention to my support for Bob Clay's amendment back in 1990.

However, I have to say that, on the basis of full access to all relevant documentation, much of it now in the public domain, it is clear that very few of those present at the tests would have received a measurable radiation November 1998 dose."

TURNCOATS The following members of the Cabinet voted in 1990 for an amendment to give war pensions to nuclear test veterans who had cancer. Today Government policy is not to do so.

Margaret Beckett (Leader of House of Commons) Tony Blair (Prime Minister) David Blunkett (Education and Employment) Nick Brown (Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food) Robin Cook (Foreign Secretary) Jack Cunningham (Duchy of Lancaster) Alastair Darling (Social Security) Ron Davies (Welsh Secretary) Donald Dewar (Scottish Secretary) Frank Dobson (Health) Mo Mowlam (Northern Ireland) John Prescott (Deputy Prime Minister) George Roberston (Defence) Clare Short (International Development) Chris Smith (Culture, Media, and Sport) Jack Straw (Home Secretary) Ann Taylor (Chief Whip).

^

Letters to the Editor

DENIS KNOWS THERE IS CONTAMINATION ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND Hi John, Got the new magazine earlier in the week and was most interested in the article about the firm that is going to clean up Christmas Island. They say that they are going to clear asbestos etc from the tar boilers and vehicles, the bulk of the asbestos on the Island will be found in what were the boiler houses of the ablution blocks and the cookhouses and their was quite a few of them, I will be quite frank, I don't think that the firm concerned know what they are letting themselves in for, there is also a boiler house in what was the decontamination unit at the airfield.

I know where they all were because I maintained them all for a year while I was out there.

Best Wishes Denis Shaw

©iW;MeW| CONTAMINATED AREA

Shhh! Don’t let the MoD know that we know - Don’t tell anyone else - Don’t tell the Newspapers - It's ‘hush hush!’

Hi John - Greetings from Australia.

I was also an AC Plonk when sent to Christmas Island in July 1958. My story is one of lies and deceit. It started with me joining up in April 1958 and being after sitting tests, being told that I lacked the educational level to study my selected subject of electronics, this in it's self was no surprise because I left school at 15 and was aware of that deficiency, but was informed that I on completion of basic training would be sent to a large airbase where educational facilities would be available and that I would attend several days a week until achieving the required level. So off to basic training where after approximately six weeks when on parade the order was given "anyone that does not want to carry on take one step forward and you can go home, otherwise you are locked into your service contract", obviously I stood firm locking me into a nine year contract (which the recruiting office stated was the minimum to study electronics) . One week prior to pass out was told to attend the Flight Office and told that I was being sent to Christmas Island on a twelve month posting, no mentioned of the promise of education and being green no way was I going to question this.

On arrival on the Island they did not even know that I was coming and after a short

The multi-million pound contract to clean up Christmas Island, over 50 years after the nuclear tests, is in part about RADIO ACTIVE DIALS AND CLOCK FACES still in the stored vehicles left behind! The fluorescent figures and words in the dials are still emitting radioactivity after all this time!

If the vehicles are still dangerous - no wonder we arc ill!

LITIGATION SECRETARY’S ADVICE In view of the uncertainty regarding future funding of our case against the MoD, I must strongly recommend that you all sit tight for the present. Your names are entered on the claim form, and you are effectively covered against the three year rule. However, should you withdraw from the case at this time, it will be impossible for you to renew your claim at a later date. I am always available for a chat should you have any queries regarding the case.

Derick Redfern Tel: 0163 787 9048___________ 12

days before his sad demise, an audited copy oflast years accounts was made available to everyone.

9: Acceptance of Accounts These were accepted.

10: Widows Representatives Address 11: Motion: Blackpool Tourist Services The Chairman put the motion to the floor that for the foreseeable future as long as the Blackpool Tourist Services arc willing to fund the AGM, we will be holding it at this venue. After discussion the motion was carried unanimously.

12: Election of Officers & Members of the Executive Committee The Chairman had received only one nomination and that was from Mr Dave Riley to stand as national secretary. All other members of the committee were willing to stand in their present position.

13: Interval during which the raffle was drawn.

The proceeds being £215.00.

14: Address by a representative from the Litigation Solicitors The Chairman informed the AGM that no one from the solicitors was in attendance or sent their apologies.

15: AOB The Veterans were then addressed by Mr Rob Brown, one of our very own, who informed us of the radiation levels across Christmas Island during Grapple X & Y and a very interesting talk it was too, well done Rob; keep up the good work.

D. P. Riley Minutes Secretaiy.

AGM Report A FULL COPY OF THE BNTVA ACCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE CHAIRMAN 1: Chairman’s Welcome The Chairman welcomed all veterans and widow’s attending the AGM and particularly those who were attending for the first lime. There were 98 Members in attendance together with their wives and families.

2: The Parade of Standards The Standards were paraded before the gathered veterans and widows.

3: Apologies These were read out by the Chairman.

4: Minutes of the last AGM 5: Matters Arising There were none.

6: Acceptance of minutes These were accepted as a true and accurate account oflast years AGM. 7: Chairman’s report The Chairman informed the veterans that much of the past year had been taken up with legal proceedings many of you are taking up with the MOD. He also informed us that there had been a tremendous response to the letters sent to your MPs if you are one of the many who’s MP are supporting us please send the Chairman a copy of the covering letter for our records.

8: Presentation of Accounts The Chairman informed all of the passing away of the late Treasurer Ken Roberts who was still working on behalf of the Association up to three

PLEASE PLEASE pay your £10.00 subscription for 2005 to Membership Secretary Bob Smith. Cheques made payable to BNTVA. Thank you. Please DO IT NOW!

BNTVA Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2004 Fixed Assets: Office Equipment 01.01.04 Additions Depreciation Current Assets: Stock Bank A/c - Current Bank A/c - Deposit Loan - London Branch Debtor - Mr W Kitson Prepayments Less: Current Liabilities Subscriptions in advance Creditors and accruals Net Current Assets Net Assets General Fund: Balance 01/01/04 Surplus for the year Balance at 31/12/04

2004 1,320

2003 650

330 990 807 1,214 26,714 520 179 25 29,459

1,108 438 1,320 848 3,107 21.952 1,050 399 25 27,381

2,246 270 2,516

2.010 250 2,260

26,943 27,933 26.441 1,492 27,933

25,121 26,441 22.004 4,437 26,441

2004 Income: Subscriptions Donations Associated memberships Raffles and collections Fight pension fund Sale of goods Bank interest Expenditure: Research/Travel/Accommodation Political meetings expenses ♦ Tribunals Committee meetings expenses Printing / Stationery / Postage Telephone and fax expenses Purchase of Goods AGM expenses & Presentations Equipment Repairs Membership database + Records relocation costs Depreciation COBSEO subscription Accountancy Wreaths / Flowers / Poppy appeal / Memorial Stone Branch rebates

Stephen Boardman MAAT 21* March 2005 A full copy of the Accounts are available from the Chairman.

SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR

13

11,302 2,812

2003

1,168 533 16,290 2,170 115 259

11,920 3,236 233 494 449 1,483 272 18,087 567 1,085 237

8,172 860 888 1,008

6,267 1,059 1,105 802

100 35 330 25 270 366 200

456 1,100 438 25 250 150 109

14,789 1,492

13,650 4,437

475

£

Alt Harris

Litigation Update Important stuff from Alexander Harris Solicitors 1 st May 2005 This bulletin has been prepared by Alexander Harris Solicitors as an update to assist their clients who wish them to investigate potential claims against the Ministry of Defence for personal injuries and consequential losses arising out of exposure to radiation during the British Atmospheric Nuclear Testing Programme carried out in the 1950s and 1960s. This bulletin is being distributed via the BNTVA to their members and must remain strictly confidential and should not be copied or distributed without the permission of Alexander Harris. _______

As you will be aware we were required to serve the Claim Form on the Ministry of Defence by the 22nd April 2005. We served this on the 21st April 2005.

Once a Claim is served you have effectively named yourself to the other side. In law you are then at risk to pay the other side’s costs if you lose.

We have negotiated an order that such exposure will not run until we serve the main Particulars of Claim. That cannot happen until full public funding is restored. Therefore you are for now fully protected against the risk of paying the MOD’S costs should your claim fail. This is very important to you and your claim.

Since our last bulletin we have continued ongoing dialogue with the Legal Services Commission (LSC). We shall update you as soon as we are able.

Whilst the LSC is considering its decision, the MOD has asked that we provide further details about each veteran serviceman so that they can reply to our Letter of Claim as fully as possible. This is not unreasonable in a case such as this and it is important to maintain a good level of co-operation with the MOD. However the provision of this information will take a considerable amount of work and at present, there is no funding to cover the cost of carrying out this work.

For those who are eligible for public funding, we await the LSC’s decision. For others that have entered into a Conditional Fee Agreement, you will note that under this Agreement we are not allowed to serve the Claim without supportive insurance.

To overcome this interim funding issue, we will be writing to you in due course on an individual basis to advise what change will have to be made to your respective funding arrangements with Alexander Harris.

If in due course the LSC decide not to provide further public funding to continue with the generic Litigation for this case, then they will certainly not provide it to individual claimants. In such circumstances it is unlikely that we would be able to secure Insurance to support those individuals who have entered into a Conditional Fee Agreement. If this happens we will then be in the position of reviewing the entire litigation and the viability of it continuing. At present we are waiting to hear from the LSC regarding their information requirements and we will update you as soon as we know the position.

If you have any further queries or wish to discuss matters further, please contact your BNTVA representative* who will ensure that all queries are fed back to Alexander Harris. (*Derick Redfern) From John Lowe: Continuedfrom next column -

be made available, and will not only be done, but will be seen to have been done.

Yours sincerely, John G Lov/e

David Lammy Department for Constitutional Affairs, Justice. Rights and Democracy.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Selborbe House, 54 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QW - 29,h April 2005

ON TOP or MY COLUMN

o.

I

Dear Mr Lammy, I am in possession of a large number of letters which you have sent out to various Members of Parliament, in answer to questions which they have asked on behalf of their constituents.

Although the details contained in your letter appear, at face value, to be very plausible, I regret that on further examination they fail to ally the concerns of Nuclear Test Veterans.

In your penultimate paragraph, you state “that the LSC’s handling of the Atomic Veterans’ case is in accordance with the standard procedure that they apply to any multi-party action.

Are you certain that this is true?

Although Leading Councils Opinions was submitted on 13th August 2004, it appears to have been ignored until the LSC’s letter of the 20th January 2005.

Are they really so inefficient that it always takes them five months to discover that they do not have all the information they seek.

Further legal opinion was submitted on the 7th February 2005, (almost 3 months ago). At this rate most of the claimants will be dead before the LSC concludes their deliberations.

It most certainly appears that the LSC has entered into an exercise of trivia, repetitive requests, and what we can only consider as naive observations and demands.

Our Solicitors have more than met all the requests and other demands made upon them, yet the LSC persists in withholding further funding.

Furthermore your statement, "I am sure you will appreciate that as multi-party actions tend to be very expensive and are often unsuccessful, the LSC must be satisfied that the merits of the case justify further funding’’, leads one to the conclusion that the LSC are appointing themselves as both judge and jury.

Simply because other multi-party claims may not have succeeded in the past, does not mean that this case will not do so. This case is both unique and of outstanding national importance.

I must agree with you that “it is important that these decisions are, and are not seen to be, free from political and government influence". However, on this occasion, the concern of Britain’s Nuclear Test Veterans is that the present prevarications on behalf of the LSC is one of such gross inefficiency, as to be unacceptable in any government department.

There is no doubt that it is the actions of the LSC which are preventing both, the Nuclear Test Veterans and the Ministry of Defence, from having their day in court, and reaching a just settlement to this extremely long running dispute.

I shall be most obliged if you will confirm that on this occasion, funding will be made available, in order that justice John Lowe

I

told me that they couldn’t possibly keep details of where everyone was every day of the year. Perhaps this explains why their numbers of personnel involved are so variable and one cannot help wondering how they arrive at any figure at all.

Did they count one man, one bomb as a unit I asked? “Yes” she says. Does that mean that as I witnessed five bombs 1 then became five men?

“Yes” she replied. Oh dear, MoD. This shoots the percentage of illnesses amongst the participating cohort down in flames, doesn’t it?

Anyway, the conversation continued along similar lines for 45 minutes and I have since sent her copies of various items I’ve amassed over the years for her to learn a little more about the work she is engaged in. How long before she too is ‘moved on?

NEXT EPISODE - ‘BITTEN BY A FISH WHILST DRIVING.’ Yes, that is what is says!

Derick Reclfern

Hear Moll,

‘Oh dear, You’ve got it wrong AGAIN! Do you ever feel that you live in an ever-changing world? I do. Just as you feel you have made real contact with the person behind a name on the other end of the phone you find “Sorry, 'Mrs Friendly' has been moved to another Department.”

This happened to me the other day when 1 rang the MoD to refute yet another inaccuracy that Ivor Caplin’s department had written in one of 'his’ letters sent to one of our merchant comrades, Mr . . ., namely that there were NO merchant or RFA ships at Christmas Island during the times of detonations of the bombs.

Knowing this to be untrue from personal experience, I rang the relevant office at 1530 one Thursday. Sorry, not only was ‘Mrs Friendly’ not there but there was no one there to take my call, they had all gone home. (At 1530 I’m definitely in the wrong job!) “Could someone ring me tomorrow?” “Certainly” I reply - without much hope. However, 0915 the next day the call comes. It is a scientist from the MoD. Bom 1977 she has little knowledge about any of the problems we have at getting at the truth, but she does express an interest.

So I begin.

‘On 28th April 1958 at the time of the blast 1 was standing on the deck of HMV Lord Byron, (sister ship to the Codrington). She was a new ship which was commissioned to bring vital supplies to Christmas Island. (Beer/Food!) She was, without any room for argument, at anchor within half a mile from Port London, immobile, because her rudder was stuck. I was in the process of examining it (being a RN Diver) prior to dismantling. “Oh” says young scientist. “I didn’t know that. Nobody checked the archives. We only know what we are told.”

From this opening I then proceeded to enlighten her a little on the problems we have with the constant propagation of the inaccurate information that the MoD produces, both in our personal records (The MoD have tried to state that I wasn’t even on the island!) and in the public domain. The instances include recording me as wearing glasses when I was examined at the age of fifteen for entrance to the RN. This ‘fact’ suddenly appeared in a supplementary statement of case which also said that ‘speech showed mental backwardness.’ This was prior to my training in clearance diving / underwater explosives etc. I was posted to HMS Narvik but this fact was missing from my list of ships and postings. When I queried this, the MoD

Philip Morrison, who died on April 22 2005 aged 89, was one of the youngest physicists to work on the Manhattan Project, helping to assemble the first atomic bomb with his own hands.

After the Japanese surrender, Morrison was one of a team of scientists sent to inspect the damage inflicted by the atomic bombs on Japan. As he flew over Hiroshima, Morrison was horrified by what he saw: "There was just one, enormous, flat, rust-red scar, and no green or grey, because there were no roofs or vegetation left. I was pretty sure then that nothing I was going to see later would give me as much of a jolt... Most of us who hadn't dropped out of this atom project during the last two or three years had developed our own private justifications for staying with it. I know I had done so."______________ Raising money for Military Charities inc. BNTVA

THE CUSTOM CAR SHOW 2nd & 3rd July 2005 The Anglia Hotel Holbeach (on A17) 11 am till late evening ENTERTAINMENT - MEALS - MILITARY VEHICLES - SIDESHOWS - LOTTERY SWEEPSTAKE Short Service and Military Parade on Sunday Morning Full details from Doug Hern Tel: 0140 637 1134 "Be there for BNTVA" ANOTHER CHANGE OF PLAN! - Previously the Executive Committee requested that BRANCH NEWS be sent to Bob Smith who was co-ordinating news. NOW- please revert to sending news and photos to the Editor. Thank you. ________ Next copy deadline 1st August 2005.________ 15

m

ypi|

Hhiii///.''

E

THE LAST WORD from Major Albert Brown SA Salvation Army Blackpool

1928-2005 (76)

What a privilege it has been for me to share with you all on your Annual Church Parade in the Salvation Army Citadel, Blackpool. It is of special interest to me because I share with you all your sense of injustice. I know Irom personal family experience how our government and the MoD have continually refused to acknowledge their collective responsibility to servicemen and women by denying health problems caused as a result ol being involved in conflict or nuclear/biological tests, and the practical / medical care needed. Right down through the ages, injustice has been a way of life and people in authority are quite happy with their "‘I m alright Jack attitude. It doesn’t affect me.”

The greatest injustice of all, I believe, happened about 2,000 years ago when our Lord was unlawfully arrested, unjustly judged and wrongfully put to death. Yet, He was willing to take this path and suffer because it was His Father’s will that one should die for all and we are able to know and experience His love, joy and peace in our lives.

A Minister was talking to a group of men. He held up a large white card and in the centre he drew a black circle.

Holding it up, he asked them what they saw. One person replied, “I see a black circle.” “Right” the preacher said.

“What else?” Complete silence prevailed. “I am really surprised,” he commented, “You have completely overlooked the most important thing of all - the white card!”

We are often distracted by the small, dot-like disappointments and are prone to forget the innumerable blessings we receive from God in our day to day living.

Yes, there are troubles and frustrations but God knows all about these and He provides the Grace and strength to help us through. Someone penned these whimsical words of advice years ago. “As you travel down life’s pathway, may this ever be your gaol: Keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole!”

I pi ay that each one ol us will do just this. I hope you can share with me the truth. “I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”

Ken wrote this to be read at his funeral Ken Roberts served his country first as a member of the Royal Marines for a period of two years. He volunteered for the Korean War in the 1950’s and then served some 22 years in the Royal Engineers, all over the world including Christmas Island for the two H bombs.

On leaving the Services he became a tenant of first the Commercial Stockton, the Victoria Stockton and finally the Royal George Thornaby. He joined the Licensed Victuallers Association, and soon became Secretary. He was also the longest serving President of the National Union of Licensed Victuallers North East and has remained Secretary over the years.

He was also a member of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association and in the year 2000 he took over as Treasurer. The Association is running smoothly with a viable bank account.

Ken had five children - Terry, Anthony, Karen, April and David, that he loved dearly though very rarely showed it. They seem to have got on in the world, all good citizens.

His wife Eileen has proved to be his bedrock, without her he would not have been able to take up the above positions. I ask her not to grieve my passing but to celebrate. I ask all my friends to ensure she is looked after and kept in touch.

Ken Eileen reports that Ken was buried wearing his Grapple tie and BNTVA blazer - LOYAL to the end!

The Lord bless thee and keep thee, The Lord make His face shine upon thee And be gracious unto thee.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, And give thee peace.

Campaign is published by the British Nuclear Tests Veterans MRc0CqFH0r!; ff?,lor: Revd J°hn Wa'den 11 Hemmings Close Norwich I^Auaust 200^'All'nnfnvT^0^0^Smail ne^ Next issue C0PV deadline pnH !roP,hi ; VIGWS and potations do not represent oflicial • P In Pnnvr nht f S° 6 responsifc)ility °f the writer. Photographs and images - <0 Copyright of owner acknowledged. BNTVA is a 'not for orofit* voluntary Association supponino UK N,^r Test Veteran. anrti,

B Smith l^Minoxtowi^Glasgow<565 7DY 16