DECEMBER 2019
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE
REMEMBRANCE EDITION PETI-
BBC4 Documentary A haunting film about Britain and the nuclear age, from the first bomb tests to our potentially futile preparations for attack during the Cold War was aired on BBC4. Framed by Britain's mission to build the bomb, A British Guide to the End of the World uses extraordinary unseen archive and exclusive testimonies from people directly involved in our nuclear story, from conscripted soldiers attending the early nuclear tests in the South Pacific to servicemen, volunteers and civil servants involved in the planning of how we might have managed in the event of a nuclear catastrophe. Accompanied by an atmospheric score, the film features classified footage, hidden for decades, as well as television reports and government information videos that retain the spirit of Cold War paranoia. Horrifying, absurd and at times achingly poignant, the film recaptures a time of stockpiled paranoia that left a generation traumatised. A big thank you to Doug Hern, Ron Watson, Brian Jarvis, Terry Quinlan and David Hemsley for their efforts in producing this fantastic documentary.
2 www.bntva.com
Chaplains Message Plight – Light – Life At the time of writing this reflection, in mid-November to meet the Editor’s deadline, God knows what is going to happen in and after the General Election. I say, ‘God knows’, truthfully and not humorously. It is hard to remember a more volatile atmosphere and as much uncertainty about the direction of our national life. An elderly Veteran, not one of ours as it happens, was interviewed on television during Remembrance weekend. He put it very well: ‘I really worry about the plight of our nation.’ Plight is an old-fashioned but expressive word which surely covers a multitude of problems in our national life. This is my annual Christmas message to members of our Association, your families and descendants; so of course I must remind you that, for Christians, Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. Carols and readings speak of a light shining in the darkness and a new beginning for troubled humanity, focused on an unlikely stable and expressed in a life of service, compassion and great courage. The relationship between the plight of the world and the Light of the world is obvious. Less so, perhaps, is the thought that the life of the world depends on human agents – the likes of you and me. Anybody looking on from outer space might think ‘They look an unlikely crowd to change the world.’ They would be right, but our faith is that Jesus became one of that unlikely crowd to show that, with God, everything is possible. Plight – Light – Life: I hope these simple words will provide food for thought and encouragement this Christmas season because, as St John wrote, ‘The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never overcome it.’ As our Association continues to grow and thrive, I send best wishes for Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all our readers.
The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (1173575)
If you would like to unsubscribe or change how you hear from us in the future, please write to us at PO Box 1223, Spalding. PE11 9GD, email info@bntva.com or call 0208 144
www.bntva.com 3
BNTVA Board News As we come to the end of 2019, the board would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The awareness of the Nuclear Veterans across the world is at an extremely high level. The board would like to thank the members who are re-joining the Association , your support of the new charity and the work that we are undertaking is much appreciated. We continue the fight for recognition through the medal campaign and will continue to work with the UK government on ensuring that all UK service personnel who were involved in any Nuclear testing will be recognised. Our links across the world continue to grow with relationships with other organisations through the Nuclear Veterans Worldwide program. We continue to build these important relationships. The All Tests Reunion was a great success and I would encourage anyone who has never attended to book early and enjoy a break with other veterans and their families, especially as 2020 has been fully funded. As our Veterans continue to age, it is important that the descendants carry on the fight for recognition, we need to ensure that the membership continues to grow, please encourage everyone to join the Association.
Our 2020 conference in Blackpool will be an nostalgic one as we remember the original Association and the people who gave their lives to the cause. If you can attend, please book early to avoid disappointment.
40
For anyone who needs help, please contact us on 0208 144 3080 Monday to The ‘Jesse’ AwardWe thank you for your support. Friday 10am-4pm. Outstanding Contribution BNTVA Board—1st December 2019 Award 4
www.bntva.com
Contents 6
8
Medal Update
National Standard
AMSC Decision
Dedication Ceremony
12
19
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Garden
Across the Country
Westminster Abbey
24
2020 Conference
Christmas Island
Blackpool—16th May
David Stevenson
36
We want to Hear from You!
Peace Museum Exhibition
17
Email any stories to editor@bntva.com or write to PO Box 1223, Spalding. PE11 9GD.
/BNTVACharity @BNTVA
MEDIABNTVA www.bntva.com 5
Medal Campaign
Medal Campaign Update
Medal Recognition Campaign Update We requested an update from the AMSC and received this from Diane Macfarlane - Honours Policy Adviser. “Please bear in mind that the process of assessing an historic medal medal claim is time consuming. Each claim is examined and a process of researching and verifying information is undertaken before the matter is considered by the Sub-Committee. In some instances there will be a need for further work and for the matter to be brought back to the Sub-Committee before a report on findings and recommendations can be prepared for consideration by the HD Committee and then submitted to The Queen for approval. This process will take time, and it is difficult to give any indication as to when an individual decision will be published, but please be assured that the AMSC Secretariat will be in touch if it needs further information or is in a position to offer an update.” Details of the AMSC and their terms of reference can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-military-sub-committee
6
www.bntva.com
Conference Report
2020 Maralinga Tour
The BNTVA have been invited to participate in a tour of Maralinga. We have been given special treatment to allow us into areas of the Maralinga test site which are currently inaccessible. The tour is still in the planning stage, but we would like to know from any Veterans or their families if they would be interested in participating in a tour. We will attempt to raise funds through other Military Charities and Fundraising activities to cover some if not all of the cost of attending this unique event. Please remember that it is a long flight and the temperatures will be hot. (Sounds familiar to our Veterans!) Please contact us on 0208 144 3080 or email chairman@bntva.com to register your interest as soon as possible. We need to ascertain numbers so that we can write bids for grants to help us make this tour possible.
www.bntva.com
7
New National Standard
Con-
Dedicated on 3rd October 2019 at the National Memorial Arboretum
The new BNTVA standard was dedicated by the Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling at a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum on NAVAD Day. Pupils from Millfield primary school also attended the service, which was followed by a moving speech at the BNTVA Memorial.
8
www.bntva.com
2 Standards were dedicated as we have 2 Standard Bearers situated in different parts of the country.
These standards can now be used at official occasions and at funerals to honour our fallen Veterans. These are the only official Standards of the BNTVA 1173575, no others can be used.
www.bntva.com
9
New National Standard
10 www.bntva.com
Con-
3 wreaths were laid at each of the stones of the Memorial by representatives of the BNTVA.
www.bntva.com
11
Remembrance Day
Con-
33 people represented the BNTVA at the Cenotaph in London for the Remembrance day parade. Many others across the country honoured our fallen.
The weather was beautiful. The BNTVA were at position D30, which was further forward than in previous years. The ceremony involved 4 generations with great grandchildren marching.
12 www.bntva.com
The number of Veterans able to march has fallen this year, but the attendance by the families and descendants was higher than the previous 2 years.
www.bntva.com
13
Remembrance Day
14 www.bntva.com
Con-
No Nuclear Veteran will ever be forgotten, the campaign for Justice continues.
www.bntva.com
15
Whilst waiting for the paConference Report rade to start, old colleagues discussed their time on the island with each other and with the spectators lining the streets.
Eric Barton organised the event and distributed tickets, with wives, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were present for the March. Ron Watson ensured that there was food and drink afterwards.
16 www.bntva.com
Remembrance Garden The BNTVA Remembrance Garden in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.
The BNTVA would like to thank everyone involved and their hard work in completing this memorial and attending the ceremony. Various crosses were planted with fitting tributes. Including one from Joseph Owen aged 13 who marched in the parade.
www.bntva.com
17
International NewsConference Report New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Association—Roy Sefton QSM Research of international importance, is presently being undertaken at Brunel University London. Brunel University is researching the British nuclear test veterans for ionising radiation induced DNA damage, the veterans partner's genetic state, and establish if test site genetic damage, has been inherited by the veterans off-spring. In 2008, New Zealand's Massey University's Cytogenetic Analysis, determined that the crews of two RNZN frigates that served at the British Nuclear Weapons Testing Programme, Operation Grapple, suffered significant DNA damage as a result of radiation exposure at the Grapple testing site. The Massey study did not research the DNA of the veterans children. Past research on the children of those affected by radiation has been limited and reliant on statistical studies often from situations, e.g. Chernobyl, where the sources of irradiation produce an expected result and differ from that of nuclear test veterans, and where the father would be the targeted source of intergenerational DNA damage. At present we rely on opinion from international nuclear regulating bodies and specialists, and of which do not result from genetic studies. Two basic and easily understood, and still current examples are.. (edited) “ In one nuclear transformation (contaminant) striking living tissue, we expect some cells to be killed, some to be damaged and then repaired, and some to be permanently damaged yet able to reproduce. The misrepaired cells, and which then misfunction, and the damaged cells able to reproduce their mutated DNA, can later result in ill health or cancer” (Dr Rosalie Bertell. Testimony before the US Senate Committee on Veterans Health). “It is clearly established that exposure to radiation, even in doses substantially lower than those producing acute effects, may occasionally give rise to a wide variety of harmful effects, including cancer, leukaemia and inherited abnormalities which in some cases may not be easily distinguishable from naturally occurring conditions or identifiable as due to radiation. It is prudent to assume that some genetic damage may follow any dose of radiation however small.” (UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, UNSCEAR). (Pleadings, Oral Arguments, Documents, NZ vs France) 18 www.bntva.com
The Massey University study confirms part of Bertell's opinion, i.e, radiation contacting the living flesh (of the nuclear test veterans) causes varied cell damage. Such damage can cause cancer and other health problems, of which the full range is being revealed, as genetic research progresses. The UNSCEAR opinion establishes low doses of radiation, no matter how small, may cause cancers, and inherited abnormalities. It would be a major breakthrough if Brunel University can produce a result unhindered by confounding factors, political bias, and other obstruction
www.bntva.com
19
International NewsConference Report Keith Kiefer, NAAV National Commander Greetings. At the risk of being accused of being insensitive or politically incorrect I’m going to wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Well, it has been busy here. On the heals of our (NAAV’s) convention, I headed to France to attend the AVEN Convention in Anger, France at the end of September returning early October. We learned the French Government now recognizes two additional diseases which have been added, since last year, as presumed Ionization Radiation Induced. And another two are expected to be added. They have made more progress on approval of their DNA study plans and are working to secure funding. Upon return from France, a trip to Washington DC was made to twist, and if necessary break arms to gain more support for our various pieces of legislation. At the time of the visit, we were following six pieces of legislation and trying to add another four pieces of legislation. For each topic, a piece of legislation has to be introduced in the House and ideally one with the same text language introduced in the Senate. They then have to pass both Bills in the session introduced. The trip was productive. We added several cosponsors and one of the additional four pieces of legislation has been introduced in the House. This piece of legislation introduced, if passed, would recognize July 16th nationally as Atomic Veterans Day perpetually. The other topics of the legislation are: classification of the Enewetak Atoll Radiological Cleanup Veterans and Palomares Broken Arrow Operation Veterans as Atomic Veterans, Atomic Veterans Medal, and RECA reauthorization. On a state level, we provided testimony to the Ohio legislation for a resolution to the Federal Government to support the Enewetak Atoll Veterans, a second hearing on the resolution took place with a favourable response. We have also have been working with the Marshallese, CANN, AAPCHO & APIAHF supporting Medicaid eligibility for COFA citizens. Meanwhile, preparations and planning continue for a joint Marshallese, Clean up and Atomic Veteran Remembrance Day Feb. 28, 29th and March 1, 2020 in Springdale, Arizona. We await news on the Atomic Veteran Service Medal, expecting to have an answer by the end of December. Progress on legislation has slowed or stopped with the preoccupation and political manoeuvres of “impeachment investigation” and campaigning for the 2020 elections. It remains to be seen if the legislators start working on subject matters that effect individuals lives or continue to play politics up to and including the March and November 2020 elections. Thank you for BNTVA’s friendship and support, 20 www.bntva.com
2020 Conferences Blackpool May 16th 2020
The venue for the conference is the Grand Hotel. The cost of the Conference and Gala Dinner is £45 per person. This includes refreshments during the day and a 3 course meal. If you require accommodation at the hotel, we have secured a deal for anyone attending the conference. Bookings are being handled by Pebbles Travel who can be contacted on 01249 447488. Blackpool has a large number of Bed & Breakfast accommodation for anyone not wishing to stay at the hotel.
Research - Brunel University May 9th 2020 A one-off Research conference will be held the week before the main BNTVA Conference at Brunel University at Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, London. UB8 3PH. This conference is provided to the BNTVA free of charge from Brunel, as part of the NCCF DNA project and is being organised by the BNTVA to raise awareness. This is a fantastic opportunity for the International community to showcase the research that is being carried out across the world into all aspects of Nuclear testing and the effects on the Veterans, the inhabitants of the areas and the eco-system. If you would like to showcase your research, please email our Chairman using chairman@bntva.com. www.bntva.com
21
All Tests Reunion– 2020
Con-
Veterans Foundation funding received for 2020 We are pleased to announce that we have received funding for the 2020 All Tests Reunion in Weston Super Mare. If you have already booked your place, please contact Sandie Hern on 0208 144 3080 and we will arrange a refund of up to £89 per person to cover the cost of the accommodation. We will also be travelling to the Air Museum at Yeovilton via Coach which is also free of charge. We can also cover travelling expenses of £20 per car or £20 per train / coach ticket. This is a fantastic grant which has been provided by the Veterans Foundation, following an application by our Chairman. If you have never been to the All Tests Reunion, now is the time to book. The 2020 All Tests Reunion will be held at Pontins, Sand Bay, Weston Super Mare between 21st - 25th September. To reserve your place call 0208 144 3080 for further details. Remember in 2020 it is free!
22 www.bntva.com
Join the BNTVA To join the BNTVA contact us for a membership application form which contains all the details on paying your membership or join online. Electronic membership (Campaign sent via email) Individual £20.00 | Family £30.00
Postal membership (Campaign sent via the post) UK Individual £25.00 | UK Family £35.00 Overseas Individual £35.00 | Overseas Family £45.00 There are three ways to pay your BNTVA membership:
Cheque Payment Make cheque payable to BNTVA, write your membership number (if known) on the rear of the cheque and send to: BNTVA, PO Box 1223, Spalding, PE11 9GD.
Direct Debit Email info@bntva.com or call 0280 144 3080.
Online Visit www.bntva.com/membership to pay online. All membership data is stored on a secure server in accordance with GDPR. We will not pass on your information to any third party. To view our privacy policy, visit www.bntva.com or call 0208 144 3080 for full details. www.bntva.com
23
Christmas Island
Conference Report
Recollections by David Stevenson Since receiving copies of “Campaign” from the BNTVA, I’ve read many differing accounts of life and activities on Christmas Island, mostly written by National Service men of junior rank, understandably most with a chip on their shoulder, who unwillingly served there during the time of “Op Grapple”. Remembering my time there, and noting the exaggerations and errors in some of the written accounts, I decided to put my own memories on paper for some one else to pull to pieces! In the spring of 1957 I was a young troop officer in 25 Engineer Regiment, the Strategic Reserve Regiment, in Invitation barracks, Maidstone. My wife and I were looking forward to some leave, and fairly early one morning we set off to drive to my wife’s home in Hampshire. On arrival, we were greeted by my mother-in-law who handed me a telegram that had just arrived for me. It simply said ‘phone me, OC’ which I did, and he told me there was a flap on and to return PDQ. Leaving my wife, I drove back straight away and found the camp, which was so peaceful and orderly when I left it that morning, in a frenzy of activity. Within 30 minutes of arrival I’d been inoculated against most things, issued with a pile of jungle green kit and told I’d be leaving next morning with a party of 18 sappers bound for Christmas Island. The journey, which took over 3 days on various civil airlines, took us via Heath Row, Amsterdam, Shannon, New York, Chicago, Seattle (where we changed into jungle greens) San Francisco, Honolulu (Hickham US Air Force base) and finally to small coral atoll in the middle a very big ocean. The highest part of the island is only about 9 feet above mean sea level and those parts not covered by coconut trees were mostly just muddy lagoons. The Island was a haven for many differing species of wildlife. These included hermit crabs, land crabs, which seemed to get everywhere, and Climbing (coconut) crabs, small Christmas Island Warblers, tern, which flew all round you but just out of reach, booby birds, very clumsy on land but sleek in the air and had a habit of laying their eggs in the middle of roads and tracks, and frigate birds, to name just a few. The frigate bird became known as the grapple bird after the operation name. 24 www.bntva.com
Swarms of flies around the cookhouses were sprayed every day with DDT by a light aircraft to keep them down. There were a few families of Gilbert and Ellice Islanders living on the Island and their interests were the responsibility of a young New Zealand District Officer and his wife. Two elderly WVS ladies were also there running a club for the boys. The entire regiment flew out, in groups on civilian aircraft. One large group of sappers featured on the front page of the News of the World enjoying champagne and cigars flying first class on the leg to New York with BOAC, while our colonel did the whole journey tourist class. We all knew that our destination was an area where nuclear bombs were being tested, so no sapper could plead ignorance of the fact. So far tests had been carried out on Malden Island, about 400 miles away from but controlled from Christmas Island. The most recent results did not satisfy the boffins, who wanted further tests carried out ASAP.
What we did not know was the urgency to test a successful Hydrogen bomb before a worldwide moratorium was coming into force in October 1958 outlawing atmospheric nuclear tests. Such a bomb would put the UK on a par with USA and USSR as a nuclear power. In the interests of expediency, the powers that be decided that any further tests, therefore, would be carried out off the SE point of Christmas Island. Our task was to prepare the Island for these tests which were code- named GRAPPLE. The tasks entailed improvement to the airfield, the building of various bunkers for control points, cameras and many other associated ancillary tasks. 28 Engineer Regiment had been stationed on the Island during the Malden Island tests and had been unaware that any further use would be made of the Island. As a result, following those tests, much of the equipment and facilities had been left in a poor state, which first had to put right before the main tasks could be tackled. The biggest of these was the airfield, which had to be fit for Valiant bombers to use. With limited supplies of cement available, lagoon mud was used. Towed and motorised scrapers gathered it from lagoons near the airfield and spread it in layers about six to eight inches thick. When dried in the sun it was just like concrete.
www.bntva.com
25
Christmas Island
Con-
A tarmac wearing surface was needed and a “Starmix 40” to produce it had arrived in a freighter now anchored outside of the reef, Getting it into landing craft, (operated by Royal Marines), from the landing craft onto lorries and finally to the site at the airfield was a mammoth task.
A stone crusher had also arrived which was moved to the quarry. However, the Starmix was soon up and running producing ‘tarmac’ Mr McAlpine would have been proud of! Meanwhile work on other tasks was progressing apace. A squadron of Fijian Army Engineers joined us to assist and some of the Gilbert and Ellice Islanders were employed as labourers. The RAF and Royal Navy were as busy as we were with their own preparations. The bomb was to be aimed visually using a standard bomb sight and an aiming marker on the ground, so the RAF was busy with aiming practice. About two days before the test, the bomb aimer said he could not see the aiming mark very well. We improved it overnight and the bomb aimer then said he could see it from 50,000 feet and 50 miles away ! For all the tasks we had a target date to work towards, (set by a comedian?) of November 5th. Living conditions were a little primitive, but the food was not bad. Supplies were kept in refrigerated, vessels anchored offshore, but if the sea got a bit rough, rations became short for a while. Tea chests full of (confiscated) cigarettes arrived courtesy of HM Customs and boxes of canned beer made up for some of the grumbles, however!
26 www.bntva.com
For some reason or other, the date of the test was put back to the 8th. Archive films had been shown of previous atomic bomb explosions so that we would know what to expect! We knew the bird life would suffer, so on the day before the test, groups of us went to the SE of the Island and caught as many birds as possible in wooden crates, to hide them from the flash. Three Valiant bombers arrived and very many of us went to see these modern aircraft land on the restored runway and park on the hard standing. Oval doors opened the nose sections of each aircraft but instead of seeing “Biggles” characters emerge we saw middle aged business men with brief case come out!! What a let-down!s
A final check was made to ensure that every person was in his alloted place. Local Islanders were to be taken on board an RFA (RFA Sommersby I think) and kept below decks to protect them from the flash. We had to sit in the shade of coconut palms facing away from GZ. At the moment of detonation, our eyes had to be closed, issued dark glasses worn and eyes and faces covered by our hands. Eyes were not to be opened for at least 10 seconds after the explosion and then we had to get quickly away from the cover of the trees. In the event of the Valiant crashing on take off, a plan was in place to move us all away from any danger of fallout. We heard the Valiant start up and take off on its prearranged course.
www.bntva.com
27
Christmas Island
Con-
Then we heard, on the tannoy system, which had been rigged up in the trees, that the test was delayed! The final check to ensure that every person was accounted for found that one young sapper was missing. He had left his spot to go to the loo and consequently the test was delayed by about two hours while the valiant began its run in again. The tannoy was linked up to the aircraft intercom so all could hear the bomb aimer speaking to the pilot. As he approached SE point we heard “ steady….steady....Left...Steady…right…...steady.…steady….....BOMB GONE “. The tannoy operator then began a countdown at ten second intervals until he reached ten, when he changed to one second. As he reached five….four…..I felt very apprehensive….three….two….this is it!….FLASH…… and he started to count up. At the instant of detonation we all experienced the searing heat on our backs and could see the bones in our hands covering closed eyes. After ten seconds I opened my eyes only to quickly close them again as the light was still blinding. It was about another eight seconds before I could bear to open them again and able to see, but it was still very bright. Away from the trees, I looked round expecting to see a mushroom cloud in the distance, but instead it seemed to be almost over us. A huge bright fireball was rising up as the cloud rose and spread in the typical mushroom shape of a nuclear cloud. We were about twenty three miles from GZ but could hear no noise at this time, which seemed very unreal, but we watched the clouds vanish and immediately reform as the pressure wave spread out. A small plantation of coconut palms about 200 yards in front of us in front of us suddenly all fell flat on the ground and the blast hit us a split second later. Many of us were knocked off our feet and I saw one very portly RAF padre lifted from his grandstand view on the front of the DUKW and dropped into a very muddy lagoon! The noise was not like that of a normal explosion, but a very,very loud crack, like a whipcrack. The sound was followed by another similar and then another and even more, each quieter than the previous as the effects of the blast reverberated in the atmosphere until the sound faded right away.
28 www.bntva.com
After a short while we all went back to main camp to see what chaos had been caused. The few wooden and metal buildings there had all suffered some damage, like end walls being blown outwards, but tents had survived very well. However, the blast had stirred the contents of the tents into a mess! I managed to photograph what was left to be seen of the mushroom cloud from my tent before it finally disappeared.
The next morning we released the birds that had been protected in crates and a large party of all ranks armed with .303 rifles drove to SE point shooting as many birds that had been burnt or injured as was possible. The ground had been pummelled and tracks and an airstrip near the target marker were hard to distinguish. Vegetation over the whole area had been burnt and a small sandy beach near the marker had become a beach of glass about three inches thick! By this time we knew that we were to be relieved by 38 Engineer Regiment coming out by troop ship, hardly a cruise liner, TS Dunera., which would take us, 25, back to UK. As it would be only about half full both ways, the CO’s wife(who had been in SOE) arranged that any of our wives who would like to do so could travel with the ship on an indulgence passage for a nominal sum of a few pounds. This was normal Service practice and not a gimmick by the MOD, as one ‘researcher’ suggests. TS Dunera was operated for the MoD by the British India Steamship Co. at the regulation trooping speed of 12 knots, and if anyone did not like curry it was hard luck!
www.bntva.com
29
Christmas Island We carried on as best we could waiting for more stores to arrive. As Christmas was approaching, we thought we should do something for the Islanders and the idea decided on was to make a playground for the children. It would have swings., a see-saw, a small roundabout and a slide. While they were being put in place in we had an audience of children and adults, all looking very puzzled. We twigged that they had no idea what all these odd things we were putting up were for - they had never such things before! The sappers soon set to and demonstrated how to play with them and even our colonel demonstrated use of the slide.
To test the slide, col. Jack Gatford (CO of 25 Regt) made the first run.
Christmas was as good as we could make it. Plenty of beer and the food was very good considering. The Gilbertese and Fijians sang carols which we joined in with but it was just the remoteness of the Island and being away from home that the lads did not like.
30 www.bntva.com
Of course, in 1957 we had no mobile phones or internet so no contact with families, but radios would pick up Honolulu radio, which kept broadcasting the number one hit at the time over and over again, the Andrew Sisters singing “how’dya like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island” Eventually patience was rewarded and we woke one Friday morning to see the Dunera anchored off-shore. In double quick time we were in the landing craft at Port London and on our out to her. After a quick reunion with our wives and families we all reembarked in the landing craft and landed back on the Island. The Gilbertese wives and children greeted our families with songs and dances in the village Meet House and later we were able to show them a little of the Island.
The next day 38 disembarked and we handed over our duties. I guarantee it must have been one of the swiftest hand-overs on record! 25 Regiment embarked and that evening we all watched as the ship made headway and the Island slowly sank into the horizon. Our wives all wanted to party but unfortunately we were all feeling the uncomfortable effects of the Pacific swell! The journey took us via Honolulu (for 3 days), Panama City (2 days), through the Panama Canal, on to Curacao,((3 days) and finally to Southampton. After a spell of leave It was not long before the Regiment was established in Osnabruck as part of BAOR.
www.bntva.com
31
Christmas Island
Con-
Some of the sappers developed sicknesses and problems which could be down to service on the Island. There were some deaths as well. I feel lucky that I have had little sickness and now at 89 my only problem has been lymphoma in my eyes, for which I has a course of radiotherapy, and when it reappeared in my body I had Chemotherapy. My wife, at 88, had a mastectomy in 2017 while my children, (now all adults) are all healthy. I have have every sympathy for all those veterans and their families who have suffered a great deal and I support efforts to get them compensation. I also support the call for medallic recognition for the work we all did. In 2002 I attended a reunion of Grapple veterans at which the speaker was Lord Tom King, (sometime time Defence Secretary). He stated that the successful testing of the H bomb put on a level with the USA and Russia and in his opinion helped to avert a third World War. That must surely be worthy of recognition. David Stevenson
Children playing on the newly erected playground.
32 www.bntva.com
Nuclear Veterans Worldwide Nuclear Veterans Worldwide has increased the number of Videos which can be viewed online at www.nuclearvets.com. The site now has over 40 videos from across the world. If you have Internet access visit the blog section to read the 80 blogs which have been posted, covering topics from across the world.
Read Dave Whytes incredible story as he fights the UK Government for compensation and recognition.
Flying between two Suns - The series & other articles Joe Pasquini was a Navigator in the Royal Air Force and flew through the Mushroom Cloud during the 'Grapple' series of the British Nuclear Tests. In a series of articles, Joe gives an insight into Nuclear Cloud Sampling and exposes the truth.
www.nuclearvets.com www.bntva.com
33
BNTVA Shop Items
Gifts for everyone from the online shop The BNTVA online shop now has 85 products for sale. We have extended our range with new Challenge coins and Coasters and as requested NAAV Baseball Caps.
Our new range of wooden plaques and keyrings are now available to order and make a fantastic gift. A number of our items are made to order, especially the clothing range. All orders are processed in the order they are received and sent out via 2nd class post. Orders may also be split into 2 packages where we have stock items available. (Car stickers / DVD’s / Lapel badges etc.) Since the shop has been re-designed we have processed 469 transactions and sold 884 products online. Thank you for your support of the Association. We aim to process all orders within 21 days of order. It is normally faster than this, but please allow time for the order to be made for you if it is a clothing item. All profits from the shop are donated to the BNTVA. Visit www.bntva.com/shop or call 0208 144 3080 for details. 34 www.bntva.com
Social Media
How to find us online A simple guide to the BNTVA online
The main BNTVA website can be found by typing in www.bntva.com into any Internet Search engine or bowser. This is our main site and contains details of the BNTVA and the shop to purchase items. On Facebook, you can find our pages by searching using the following: •
B.N.T.V.A. The Charity for Atomic Veterans - Official page
•
Fallout - Nuclear Test Veteran Children's Group - Descendants group
•
British nuclear test veterans association (bntva) - unofficial page
•
Nuclear Veterans Worldwide
On twitter, search for @BNTVA or follow our Chairman using @BNTVAC On Instagram use BNTVAMEDIA to post pictures Our Facebook page contains the majority of posts and articles and news, the Fallout group is a closed group and you will need to be accepted to join the group. If you can get online, have a look at the posts on Facebook and the fantastic pictures and stories being published every day. For further information on the National Association of Atomic Veterans, visit www.naav.com. The International Nuclear Veterans Organisation website can be viewed at www.nuclearvets.com.
www.bntva.com 35
Peace Museum- Bradford Conference Report Over the Fence……... To the Other Side of the World A fantastic exhibition has been displayed at the Peace Museum in Bradford. Created by Wesley Perriman with the help of Charlotte Hall and Dr Becky Martin. The exhibition has interesting artefacts from the testing program. A BNTVA party visited the exhibition in October.
Wesley Perriman, Eric Barton, Janet Barton and Charlotte Hall.
36 www.bntva.com
www.bntva.com
37
Membership Figures The BNTVA have 1084 records on their database an increase of 31 since 14th September 2019. We continue to grow. 591 postal members 151 online members 48 receiving both 250 no response to mailings so status unknown 12 no further contact at members request 16 deceased members (BNTVA informed) 16 duplicate records (inherited from old system)
38 www.bntva.com
BNTVA Board of Trustees
Alan Owen Chairman
Sandie Hern Vice Chairman
Ron Watson Treasurer
Alison Walker Secretary
Doug Hern Historian
Shell Grigg Fallout Group
Susan Musselwhite
Eric Barton Operation Dominic Social Media Manager
Robert McCann Standard Bearer
Appointed Persons
Sir John Hayes CBE MP Patron
The Very Revd, Nicholas Frayling BA, LLD
Dr Becky Martin Academic & Research Advisor www.bntva.com 39
Contact Us BNTVA PO Box 1223 Spalding PE11 9GD
0208 144 3080
info@bntva.com
www.bntva.com
Campaign magazine is published by the BNTVA. Next issue copy deadline - 1st March 2020
All contributions for the magazine should be sent to editor@bntva.com or posted to the above address.
BNTVA is not an anti-nuclear or an anti-war association. All opinions, views and quotations do not represent official BNTVA policy and are the sole responsibility of the writer. Photographs and images—Copyright of owner acknowledged. Campaign cannot guarantee total accuracy of any reproduction of letters / articles / transcripts. BNTVA is a Registered Charity Number 1173575 supporting the past and present UK Nuclear Test Combined Service Veterans and their families.