xmas 1994

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BNTVA Special Xmas 1994 edition

Xmas messages for all our members

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0, here we are, another Christmas on from Christmas Island and the other nuclear test sites. Sadly, it is another yearviien you have seen your just and modest hopes frustrated again.

During the relatively short while that I have been associated wth you and your campaign for justice, I have been driven by admiration for your courage and frus­ tration at the attitude of authority.

During this year we have had the addi­ tional disappointment of a report, to which we had attached so much hope, received vwth incredulity.

Meanwhile, I have seen the health of some of my foremost friends in the organisation visibly dcteriorato. Ill though some of your leaders are. being with them inspires me, as it does so many others, to continue with the cam-

indeed, for all.

Unfortunately, in our ail-too-human world, God's ways often prove too diffi­ cult to achieve. You, the members of the BNTVA, know only too well the heartbreak of having to continue your fight for recognition and fair and consis­ tent pensions.

The courage and dignity which the widows, and those who are sick, unfail­ ingly display in the face of continuing disappointment, is a constant inspiration to me. It makes it a real privilege to continue to serve as your Chaplain.

In wishing you all a Happy Christmas, I pray that God's message of goodwill will bring you joy, and that the coming year will bring tho breakthrough for v-hich wo all long.

Nicholas Frayling Liverpool Parish Church

paign. Knowing that so many of you also have indifforent and deteriorating health, it could seem difficult to say "Have a Happy Christmas."

It is possible though, is it not, to be happy among our family and friends and to draw strength from the family festival Memories of a healthier past and hopes for a fairer future can buoy us up in spite of difficulty.

I do hope that this Christmas will be one of great encouragement for you all.

Lord Parry

T

HE Christmas message is "Peace on earth, goodwill to all men."

(The Bible is not always very good at inclusive language!) It is a timeless message and speaks of the wonder of God who, in Jesus, shares our human conditions to the full, God's promise is,

N our September issue, John Leuchars, who wites again else­ where in this magazine, explained how rough and primitive the hospital and medical centre were on Christmas Island. He said they need new equip­ ment etc...

S It was suggested a CIO donation would ensure (a) A full Christmas Island coconut sent to you by post or (b) Your name carved into a coconut tree and a photograph sent to you.

Only four Christmas Island veterans replied and this is not enough - come on lads! John returns to the Island in December to set up a library and he says a generator would enhance the hospital/medical centre dramatically.

Can you help? Send donations to Bill Kittsen and make cheques payable to .

BNTVA (C.l. Fund).

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The passage of time inevitably dimin­ ishes the number of survivors, but is does not diminish the claim.

This Christmas time is an opportunity to express continued support and to send good wishes to all veterans.

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Advice on the new Incapacity Benefit rules BUDGET CHANGES ANNOUNCED NOVEMBER 1993: Under the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act, the existing invaScfity Benefit, which takes overfrom statutory sick pay when you are ill fora long time, will be replaced by Incapacity Benefit The new benefit will also be accompanied bv a new mecScal test and will take a much tougher line.

The emphasis will shift from whether you can do the job you have always done to whetheryou are fit for any type of work.

The Government's final proposals, which you should include details of the new medcal test, were due to be announced around the end of September

or October this year. The test will also apply to Severe Disablement Allowance and the new Income Support DisabiSty premium.

Incapacity Benefit will come into use on April 13, 1995, and will be payable to people up to the age of 65. InvaicSty Benefit can be paid up to five years after retirement age. ’Some choose to stay on it rather than go on to a pension because it is not taxable,’ explained an information workerwith the Disability Alliance.

The new Incapacity Benefit will be taxable although there will be preserved rights for people who are already on InvaicSty Benefit before April 1995. These will include the benefit's not taxed sta­

tus. The new benefit will only be payable at its full rate after a year rather than 28 weeks which is the situation with invafidrty Benefit There are exceptions to the 52 week rule. For exanple, people with terminal illness can receive the full rate from 28 weeks.

A new or radically altered benefit can also bring with it an increased ikelihood of wrong decisions, so it is important to get good independent advice.

The Disability Aliance rons a social security rights advice ine on 071-247-8763 (Mondays and Wednesdays 2-4pm and Fridays I0.30-I2.30pm).

It also produces the Disability Rights Handbook (£5 Claimants. £8.95 Others).

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The ugly footprints we left in the sand! ..jj£i

Christmas Island - the Untold Truth BY JOHN G LEUCHARS

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UCLEAR testing certainly left ugly footprints in the sand. The pathetic state we, the British, left the island in when wc pulled out is a diabolical sin. I was embarrassed to acknowledge a part in it.

Rusting earth-moving equipment and machin­ ery blot the landscape. Around each comer lies contempt for the Islanders homes. Mobile cranes, trucks of all descriptions and conditions and amphibious landing craft lay upended and dead in their tracks.

Even the mighty D7 and D8 bulldozers failed to escape the mindless polluting by the Government of our Nuclear Age. Those expensive machines are today sadly lan­ guishing in roadside monsoon ditches.

Abandoned and reminding all of derelict stately homes from a byegone era.

On a possible criminal side are the stockpiles of 40 gallon drums of bitumen, rusting and piled high with their contents seeping onto the jungle floor.

Nor has the lush lagoon and shoreline at Port London been excused the debacle. Large tracks of waterline are littered with the mangled remains of British Forces hardware. We can only assume an attempt had been made to bull­ doze the offending eyesores into the obscurity of the deep water. By the same token, a dis­ carded empty cigarette packet on a British street today warrants a £50 fine.

A sharp financial smack on the wrist for the British Government for their arrogant, bloodymindedness in the Fifties would go a consider­ able way to ensuring that our Christmas Island friends receive medicines and also a hospital bed to lay on when required.

Patients entering Port London's Ronton Medical Centre still sleep on the floor. The Centre, although primitive, is adequate. It is

!A Merry XmasgmC 1 a Mappy & fA[ezu year to everyone$%& associate zuitH tde

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The Medical Centre in Tabakeauea Village on Christmas Island and two of the staff cared for by a pure gem of a Doctor and a dedi­ cated staff of five women. A dentist makes a two week visit once a year But lack of supplies and equipment leaves them with a daunting task. The Centre's pick-up truck may give the appearance of affluence and a step into the future, but they can afford only to employ a driver one hour a day.

As we leave Ronton (London's new official name) on the Island’s Interior medical trail, the professions plight becomes desperate. High on their requisites are mobile generators.

From mid-December I shall be based on Christmas Island setting up the island's first library. While there it would be heart-warming if the Christmas Island fund enabled us to present

them with a generator. Contact the magazine or Peter Fletcher for details.

One and a half miles up the Main Camp road from Port London, the island’s primary school is situated. Emblazoned for all to see is a sign: TENNESSEE PRIMARY SCHOOL Charlie Companv-844 Eng Combat Hvv Though we were forced to admit 'Bully to the Yanks’, let's borrow a page from their book and put the Christmas back into Christmas Island.

Fly the flag for OPERATION GRAPPLE and help obliterate GRAPPLE'S past legacy of 'Island of Wrecks.' Philosophy states Medication before Education.

Now we've got ya Grandad This handsome sailor is

from your loving grand-children

Laura Alex Vikki Lee Jenny MahdyEmma

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LONDON BRANCH

MERSEYSIDE BRANCH

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HE London branch would like to wish all members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing our Branch members at our next meeting early next year.

Nineteen ninety four has seen many more files reviewed and being released and the increase in files being released has meant there has been a backlog into their final release into the public domain. The promised release of the AWRE's Rowley files has not yet materialised and these will be the first major release of Australian records since the Royal Australian Commission in 1985.

Recent releases have concentrated on RAF files from Christmas Island together with an official history from the Air Historical Branch. The book, price £45, is concerned mainly with aircraft although there is some discussion of the Grapple tests.

The book shows that the crew of a Canberra were killed when returning the fallout samples from the Grapple Short Granite Tests. They had had little sleep and were rushing to return samples to the UK. The accident happened in Canada and it is unlikely that the Canadians were informed of what they were carrying. The book is an HMSO publication, called RAF Nuclear deterrent Forces, is a documentary history written by Humphrey Wynn.

January sees the release of more files. These files, which closed in 1964, include discussion of Maralinga, Christmas Island fallout and further information on nuclear weapon development. We will keep you informed of what they con­ tain.

Once again, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we will leave you with a song: "How'd you like to spend Christmas on.....

Ken Taylor

CANADIAN BRANCH ECAUSE of a kitchen fire in my home and all the work involved, I was too late getting a report together for the last magazine. So, to bring you up to date.

Only last May we we welcomed aboard Mike Raynham, RN, and his wife Pat. A few weeks later Mike passed away from cancer. A letter from his doctor said that exposure to radia­ tion was a factor.

Our thoughts are with Pat and the family. The distance between us is 4000 miles, but I am in contact with her regard­ ing a claim through DSS. Any Canadian veteran who feels they need to now more about claims should write to me for information.

Thanks to Canadian veterans who sent photographs and let­ ters. I am still working on the idea to bring us closer to veter­ ans living all over the world.

Thank you to Tom Kitching and Sue Lyons for the bottle of whiskey I won with the money brought from Canada for the walk. I know that Bill Kittsen will look after it for me until the next AGM in 1995. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Canada to all veterans.

B

Ken Leyland

A LL is still quiet on the Merseyside front (sounds like a good title for a book). Sadly we have lost another / Ymember, Lol Maden of Crewe. The branch was well represented at the service and we all extend deepest sympathy to Barbara and family, John Cole has branched out on his own so to speak with a new branch covering parts of Cheshire and Stafford. Good Luck John.

At this point I was about to wrap up v/hen the phone went and it v/as our old friend El Cid, so the rest of this piece is his.

'As you all know, the last time I rit, rote, ritted (scusa me Englesh not so good) was at the time of the approach to the NO NO tribe or Norcross. Since then I have travelled many kilometres on my camel (Blackpool Tram) in search of new battles to take up. Allah be praised, I have found one in BNTVA. I swear this by the fleas of a thousand camels.

They are a Tribe who cost the Association much lucre and time wasting. Who are these people you ask as you place another camel dung bail on your fire and switch over to Neighbours or a comedy like Question Time from Parliament.

They are the GO GO Tribe from vast tracts of land and all points of the compass.

This is a very strange tribe. They are Nomadic, but they think all are telepathic because every year we receive back many magazines (this year well over 120 have been returned). So these members are lost for all times in the BNTVA Triangle.

Ah, but there is more. We receive letters from some of this tribe complaining that the Camel Post has not delivered their magazine and low and behold on top is the new address for their tent. So please, if you move tell us. We have enough to do without wasting time and Association money (your money).

So for now EL CID will say may the sun always shine on your tent as long as Peter and Chris know where it is.

SALAAM. On behalf of EL CID and myself, see you all at Blackpool on 29-30 April, 1995.

Chris Rowlands

NORTH EAST BRANCH

H

OPEFULLY early next year may see the dedication of a Memorial Stone for the North East in Durham Cathedral. Peter Fletcher has already set things in motion to achieve this aim and no doubt with his great assis­ tance and a lot of hard work in the near future, this can be achieved.

Many things will have to do be done and funds raised for the occasion by myself and North East members. There is the catering side to pay for, along with a brass band, rooms to book, information and invitations to be sent out, flowers etc.

And much more.

Any members who can assist in donations or have means of raising funds to assist me, will be gratefully accepted and I am now starting out to reach a target of around £600-£800.

The more we can raise the better it will be In helping to leave this mark of remembrance in the North east to all British

Nuclear test Veterans. So if you can, please help.

Once again, to any men or widows who have applied for and been refused a war pension, please appeal. Many appeals are being won. For widows who have not applied after losing their loved one, please do. If you require assis­ tance contact me. Anyone who receives a pension please in form Ken McGinley and include what type of condition you are receiving it for. This helps the Association to get a clear picture of ongoings.

Finally, will all NE members of mine, please send their annual £5 subscriptions direct to our National Treasurer to save time and expense. We do need to keep them coming in to carry on our campaign for justice.

My seasonal greetings to everyone and we we soon meet again.

Mike Reid

WIDOWS REPRESENTATIVE HAD a very interesting day along with Ken, Peter, and Mike Doyle at the House of Lords in July meeting Lord Parry and his colleagues on our behalf.

Everyone agreed there is a need for the pensions system to be looked into because of so many inconsistencies. I also enquired about Service medical records for next of kin which some widows have problems in obtaining. The following paragraph is the answer in a letter I have received: "Service Medical records are available on request to GP's of next of kin if they consent. The MoD would have no objec­ tion at all to GP's showing the next of kin these records."

I would suggest that if a widow still has problems with this they should write to her MP. Civilians are now allowed to see their medical records so there should be no reason why we are still kept in the dark where Service medical records are concerned.

We are having more widows receiving pensions, but we have also sadly lost one or two ladies.

It will soon be Christmas so I would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

I

Mavis Gardner

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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E are constantly being told by the Ministry of Defence that around 22,000 personnel took part in the British Nuclear Weapons Test programme and that their records are almost 100% accurate.

They know who we all were and they have run us through the NHS computer to see if we have died or whether we have developed any form of cancer.

They may well have run 22,000 names through the com­ puter, but how do we know they are the right names. Every time the Committee asks for a list we are told it is confidential and cannot be released.

However, NRPB have said that Individuals can write in to ask for their own record from the survey. We have all heard tales of innacuracies and my own record showed me as being in Australia when I v/as still at school - and I have never been there. This is a vital chance for us all to do our own research.

How accurate are the M.o.D. records?

ALL OF YOU OUT THERE: Please write to the NRPB, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon 0X11 ORQ. State your full name (by which you would be on their records), your service number, service, and NOTHING ELSE. Request your record and please tell me whether it was correct or incorrect (either case). DO NOT tell them which tests you were at - they already know don't they.

Please get to it 100% of you, the result is vital. Best regards to you all.

Mike Doyle PS: Keep nagging each other until you have all done it.

SOUTH WALES BRANCH NCE again we're putting pen to paper and to say things are moving slowly and we are still waiting for the Government to respond to the European Court ruling.

In the meantime I am getting letters from veterans to say that they have been granted pensions. I hope to be able to say In the not too distant future that all of us have been granted a pension like we deserve.

As this is the season of goodwill, here's wishing one and all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

O

Peter Williams

MILTON KEYNES BRANCH

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NY VOLUNTEERS! The Milton Keynes branch has been approached by Katherine Pyne, a graduate historian. Her field is modern history.

For a long time she has felt that the story of the British Nuclear Deterrent could not be fully told without the testimony of the per­ sonnel involved in its development at all levels.

To gain her degree she chose to write on the subject of: The Need for and Nature of the British Hydrogen Bomb 1954/1958) LndUn. It is hoped that with our help she may gather as much Informa­ tion from those involved in (Mosic, Grapple etc) test programmes and in particular in the Life and Times of Christmas Island as seen and experienced by those who were chosen to serve whatever arm of the forces. Please contact Pat Hurley,

Merry Christmas

Pat Hurley

00 a($ ouit q^cadefts. ou/t vjUembefts and ^Admlims.

See you again in 1995

A Sapper reveals the day the hoinh went off

Explosion was a day none of us will ever forget T

HE last thing I expected when I joined the Army was to serve on a coral island.

But here I am, 9000 miles from England, sitting in a tent by the sea on Christmas Island, a white coral atoll only 30 miles long and rising only ten feet above sea level in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just two degrees north of the Equator.

Until 1956, Christmas Island was practical­ ly uninhabited and contained little more than coconut palms and land crabs.

Now it is Britain's nuclear weapons testing base, complete with a small modem town­ ship which has its own water and electricity supply, an airport and a port.

The Army built most of it and I am one of the nearly 4000 British (including a few Fijian) soldiers, sailors and airmen helping to maintain the base and assisting the HBomb 'boffins' in their work.

We are some ofthe very few people who have had a close up view ofa mezaton bomb explosion. It's an experience 1 shall never forget.

At 4ara on D-Day the whole island is awake and after an early breakfast everyone not actively involved in the test, is moved to safety.

Each of the 500 souls on the island has to be accounted for and if one is missing the bomb will not be set off.

Two hours before the bomb is due to be exploded, the scientists in their shelters make the final adjustments to their instru­ ments. With them is a small group of Sappers, some standing by to seal and sand­ bag the shelter doors, others putting the last minute touches to the generators and cooling units that they have been tending all night.

When all is ready, the scientists and Sappers pile into Land Rovers and drive to safety keeping their fingers crossed, for if the generators are not in perfect order the instruments inside the shelters will not work

Here's a copy of a story that appeared in SOLDIER, the British Army magazine, in March 1959. It was submitted by George Tummey, exREME Christmas Island, who discovered it while rumaging around in his loft. George lives at 46 Beverley Court Road, Quinton, Birmingham B32 1HB. The article itself is by a Sapper in the 38 Corps Engineers Regiment and it describes how the troops live on the Army's farthest flung and loneliest station - Christmas Island. and there will be no recordings.

Ninety minutes to go! The Valiant, which has been 'bombed up' behind canvas screens (even the Valiant's crew are not allowed to see what goes on) is ready for take-off and from now on everyone on the island is kept informed of its movements by loudspeaker.

H-60 minutes and the Valiant is airborne.

Everyone in the forward areas is in position and there is a final check of heads. Even at this late stage the test will be postponed if anyone is missing.

Thirty minutes to go and two Valiants appear on a trial run over the target area.

One aircraft will drop the bomb, the other, manned by the crew, will photograph it.

At H-5 we are told to turn our backs to the target, The moment of darner is near, for if anyone looks at the burst he may be blinded for life.

The countdown begins and then, at last, the voice on the loudspeaker says: "The bomb has left the aircraft.

Five...four...three...two....one...

FLASH... on e...two... ” On the word FLASH we feel a warmth on our backs as if someone has passed an elec­ tric fire behind us. The commentator counts on and then come the words you have been waiting for: "You may turn round now and face the burst."

We turn and see a ball of fire brighter than the sun. We shield our eyes. Gradually the brilliant ball fades to yellow, deepens to orange, rising rapidly in the sky all the time and leaving behind a white column that will soon become the stalk of a gigantic mush-

room. The mushroom slowly takes shape, white and fluffy, beautiful and unreal. We gaze in wonder.

Suddenly we arc jerked back to reality.

"Stand by for the blast," warns the commen­ tator, and we get ready for the blow.

But at that distance all we hear is a big bang. We feel nothing more than a slight movement in the air and we continue to watch two Canberra aircraft fly right into the middle of the mushroom, sniffing out information which is vital to the scientists.

Ten minutes later the mushroom has disap­ peared and become just another fluffy cloud in the sky. That is the signal for us to hurry back down to the tarmac road to the forward area to repair the damage and make every­ thing ready for the next test.

Some of us in 38 Corps Engineers Regiment have spent many hours in the for­ ward areas immediately after a megaton bomb explosion, wearing protective clothing to keep out radio-active dust and carrying dosimeters to record the Rontgen rays.

But contamination is negliblc. My total dose to date is about the same as I get from my luminous wristwatch every fortnight in my life.

Some of the most important and interesting part of the Sappers work on Christmas Island has been done in the forward areas where we have provided the scientists from the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston with the means for measuring the effects of test explosions.

Chairmans report

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he most important issue to report is that at last the British Government met the "invitation" by the European Court of Human Rights by sending to Strasburg a two hundred page response. This in turn was sent to Ian Anderson (New York) who has described it as a weak reply, it is now up to the BNTVA to reply within two months via Ian Anderson and this is now in hand. The two months expiry date is at the end of November.

Due to the Commission's rules of confidentiality, the specific allegations and denials contained in the UK's response cannot be revealed or discussed at the moment. I will add to this by quoting a BT Manager "never believe for one minute your telephone conversations are private". This is why I do not wish to discuss this very sensitive issue over the telephone.

Also I wish to clarify another point which has been a topic of discussion - COMPENSATION! The day we peti­ tioned the European Court we claimed for compensation certain categories of radiation linked diseases, and pensions where applicable for illnesses etc, being attributable to service.

Let it be clearly understood that over the past few years the television screening of Military Experiments in peacetime has sickened many people in this country (moreso the ordinary squaddie). The most recent was the Porton Down Centre when a young serviceman was subjected to a dose of 200 instead of a dose of FIVE of nerve gas and died as a result of this experiment. The death certificate stated that the cause of death was "Death by Misadventure". It should have read "Murdered by a British Scientist!"

The British Government has a horrific history of its treatment to their military and as the afore-mentioned docu­ mentary stated, that it came from the Second World War concentration camps. It's always very difficult to con­ tact leading scientists in this country as they are normally away on lectures or meetings abroad telling everyone how wonderful they are and what they have achieved.

I believe they should spend a bit more time in their own country because quite frankly for over fifty years we have had numerous health hazards in this country which were never revealed and it's no surprise we are a nation in poor health compared to other countries.

Over the past two years a family living in my area have been very understanding and patient with the hundreds of telephone calls meant for myself. Some of these calls came from overseas so thank you for your patience Mr and Mrs Mcllroy, I will try to ensure that my telephone number in the magazine is 0505-704936 in future.

NOTE: Please make every effort to write to the NRPB for your records as suggested bv Mike Dovle. Seasons greetings to one and all.

Ken McGinley

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'THE CAVENDISH INSTITUTE" 28 Crofts Bank Road Urmston, Manchester M41 0UH Tel: 061-747-3766 You Don 7 Have To Be A Statistic We CAN Help!

AGM: NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (1992) will be held on Saturday 29th April 1995 (1.30pm).

The venue will be The Horsehoe Bar, Blackpool, and admission to the said meeting is by current Membership Card.

Election of Officers And Exec/Cttee Nominations for election should be in the hands of the Association Secretary 21 clear days before the annual general meeting.

Proposed and seconded Address for nominations and proposals: Mr D Heaps, 4 Bakewell Drive, Donnington, Derby.

Signed for and on behalfofthe Association bv Mr Peter Fletcher. Vice Chairman, Dated 1/12/94

UR former secretary, Mrs Sheila Gray, has, we are pleased to say, made a good recovery from her recent illness and has just left "Blighty" for a two month holi­ day in Australia where she plans to meet some of our mem­ bers who emigrated.

The day Sheila departed for Aussie, Mrs Marilyn Hall (East Midlands) returned from Down Under. Only three hours before her flight was due to take off Marilyn attended the Australian Veterans Remembrance Service (see picture on opposite page) at the War Memorial, Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia.

Marilyn represented the BNTVA and laid a wreath and she met Bill Plewright, President of the Australian Ex-Services Atomic Survivors Association, who is also a good friend of Peter Fletcher. Bill sends his best wishes back to us all.

O

HRIS Raymond, Locals L.l. 16 - L.l. 17, Centro Commercial Sunbeach, Urbanizacion, Fanabe, Adeje, Tenerife, would like to hear from 61 Squadron R.E., Christmas Island veterans 1957-58. Chris and his wife have a bar on Tenerife and anyone who wants to visit him will be most welcome. Below he names some of those men he can recall.

Spr Pete White (from Exeter), Sgt Major Tommy Hanley, Sgt Chief Clark (Taffy Wiltshire), Spr Harry Hodges, Spr Bill Ward, Spr George Woodward, Spr George Sinclair, CpI Chunkie Wickens, LCpI Mike Roach (always in trou­ ble), CpI Bob Muggridge (Cornwall), LCpI Earnie Cocker, Sgt Alec Star, Spr Taffy Knott, Spr Jock Wallace, Spr Brian Marks (Elephant and Castle).

There are various other names, too numerous to men­ tion, and if anyone remembers please make contact with me in Tenerife.

C

HERE are you Billy Dunne from Darlington? That's the question being asked by Sid Harris of Blackpool (01253-347620_ who would also like to hear from

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0800-289-120 Everyone knows the value of being prepared, but do you know the value of The Co-operative Funeral Bond You pay for the funeral at today’s prices. Guaran­ teed- with no additional costs whenever the funer­ al occurs - conducted anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Flexible payment scheme available on request

anyone who served on Christmas Island and Malden island from January 1957 to October 1957 with RAF 160 Wing BFP0170. You may hold important information or memories.

F you change your address would you please make sure you notify Chris Rowlands immediately. The name and address we have on file is the address where we send your magazine and any other correspondence.

The Post Office returned 120 copies of the September issue of the magazine marked addressee moved or addressee gone away. It all adds up to a waste of time and money. Just weigh it up - postage 29p, envelope 15p, typed address label, time etc. All wasted.

One member wrote complaining why he had not received his September magazine as other members in his area had not received their's. When the records were checked yes, his name and address was there. His copy had been sent. And yes, his copy had been returned to me "gone away".

In a nutshell, he had changed his address and not both­ ered to notify the Association. So please, if you move in the future don't forget to tell us.

I

P I

LEASE, if you have a query or a request to put to the committee and/or your representative, would you please put rt in writing enclosing a stamp addressed envelope.

would like to get in touch with any old mates who were on Christmas island from August 1957 to March 1958 and served with Number 2 Special Engineering Regiment Workshop R.E.M.E. Contact Mr S G Tams of 17 Pitt Lane, Hough, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 5JQ, who has also submitted this poem: CHRISTMAS ISLAND Capital C is. for the crabs we see everywhere we go H is for the hell we're in the folks back home don't hiow, P is for the Rft who dropped the Hipping bomb I is for the Island to which we wsh we hadn't come & is for the scientists we wish we'd never known T is for the troopship we hope wll take os home N is for the mailplane which comes s^ien t ikes A is for the aircraft which makes all those staggered flints & is for the 66M ordering haircuts all the while Aid now you kiow the story of our Mid-Pacific isle

HE BNTVA has six copies left of Dr Rosalie Bertell’s book "No Immediate Danger" is anyone would like one. The book costs £9 including postage and pack­ aging and they will be sold on a first come first served basis.

Cheques to Peter Fletcher made payable to BNTVA please.

T

OY Prescott would like to hear from a Mr Adams.

Roy arranged to meet him at the last AGM, but was delayed in Preston and was therefore unable to get to the meeting. Roy can be contacted on 0283542722 and he would also like to hear from anyone who served on Christmas Island in 1962 for the Dominic Tests.

R

ABOVE: Bill Plewnght President of Australian Ex-Services Atomic Survivors Association, meets Marilyn Hall of the West Midlands branch who was Down Under for the Remembrance Service at the War memorial, Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia.

1A f EDDING bills have rung out for a Christmas Island vetV V eran and a Christmas Island widow . Jim Hayward, ex12 Squadron RE 1958-59, writes to say that he tied the knot on 13th August, 1994. The bride was Janet, widow of the late Charlie Lawrence, himself a former C.I. veteran. The newlyweds ask: "Have we created a first?" They say the union may Inspire others to give up their loneliness and carry on even more united than ever In the fight for truth and Justice. All of us within the Association wish Jim and Janet every happiness now and In the future. Congratulations!

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AT the last Annual General Meeting In April, Peter Fletcher #\was handed a copy of "No Risk Involved" by Ken McGinley and Eamon O'Neil. Ken has signed his book "To Geoff". Well, Geoff was to have collected the book from Peter at the Church Parade the following day, but failed to do so. If you're reading this Geoff, IVe still got your copy of the book.

Health Service Authority, Senior Registration Officer, reads: "Although the medical records have not come to light In our extensive searches so far, we will now be contacting all FHSA's nationwide and all GP's In Surrey to ensure that they have not been sent elsewhere In error. We shall also re­ check all the records we hold here and contact Ash Vale Health Centre asking them to do the same." Too many of our Service/Medical records go missing. Why? To much evidence has gone to the grave or up the chimneys of cre­ matoriums without the added aggro of missing records.

Who Is trying to hide what concerning nuclear Test veter­ ans?

Records can be sought and obtained of veterans of World War One, World War Two and many others. So why is It that OUR records vanish? Do we detect a nasty smell of deep hidden, dark secrecy? Do as Irene Is doing - FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT.

HE next issue of the BNTVA Magazine is due out at Easter, 1995. Do you have a story to tell? Do you have any advice to offer? If so, please send it in. Keep everything as brief as possible, but let's make sure there is a varied selection of news and stories in the magazine. Send your articles to Chris Rowlands or Peter Fletcher.

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OPIES of the Mid-Pacific News as published on Christmas Island from 1st August 1956 until the 1960's, are required. If anyone has any copies then please contact Noel Hendy of 2 Bowdens Row, West End, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 2TS or telephone him on 0209214814. All expenses will be paid.

ii RS Irene Ahmah, widow of the late Sgt Jimmy Ahmah IVI (Army Catering Corps, Christmas Island 1957-58) Is pur­ suing claims for a war widows pension. Despite setbacks, denials, refusals, red tape and whatever you want to name, Irene fights on We think the rules say that following a death the medical records of the deceased must be kept for three years. Jimmy died two years ago, but his medical records have disappeared. Irene has fought, Is fighting and will con­ tinue to fight Insisting the medical records must be found.

A recent letter to Irene dated 27/10/94 from the Family

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RS Rose Howden, widow of the late "Dick Howden', Christmas Island, says she Is In receipt of War Widows pension and would like to hear from anyone who knew and served with Dick on Christmas Island. Ring 0772-37984.

HERE are ten commemorative medals available for ser­ vice In Japan, Monte Bello, Maralinga, Emu Reid, Malden Island and Christmas Island. Cheques for £30 Inc p/p payable to Peter Fletcher. Ring him on 0744-29636.

Lianne keeps dad's memory alive!

MISS Lianne Parkin and her uncle did a sponsored walk in memory of her father, Thomas Lionel Parkin, and raised a total of £253 for BNTVA funds, writes MIKE REID. This brave pair of individuals set off from Osmotherly in the North cast to walk from Ravenscar, a distance of 45 miles. They were sponsored by family and close friends and started the walk at 8pm on July 21 finishing at 2.30pm on July 22 - a total of eighteen and a half tough hours.

Lianne recalls that she was exhausted and aching from head to foot halfway through their moonlit walk, but both of them showed sheer determination and courage.

With support from Mrs Parkin (she met them with welcome refreshments at midnight and 4am), they car­ ried on to complete the course with a variety of blisters, aches, pains and exhaustion. But at the end of it all they had a great sense of achievement I am sure her father Thomas would have been so proud of Lianne and her uncle just as we are at the BNTVA. Well done, both of you, we salute you.

Proof that all personnel were subject to dangers Tests are damaging FACT: A report bv The American Defence Nuclear Executive Agency. Nuclear testing before 1961 usually consisted of the unconfined detonation of nuclear devices in the atmosphere.

FACT : In theory, personnel could he exposed either by the radiation emitted at the time of the explosion and for about one minute thereafter (referred to as initial radiation) or by the radiation emitted later (residual radiation).

Initial radiation is part of of the violent nuclear explosion process itself: To be close enough for initial radiation exposure would he to place an observer within the area swept bv lethal blast and heat waves.

I will repeat that: To he close enough for ini tial radiation exposure would be to place an observer within the area swept bv lethal blast and heat waves.

This is what most of our veterans experienced as we all know. Even the waves in corrugated iron sheeting were taken out by blast, so I was told, and that is quite something.

FACT: The neutron component of initial radiation DID, yes the report said DID, contribute to the possibility of personnel exposure. FACT: Neutrons are emitted in large numbers in nuclear weapons detonations.

Top secret memo IN a top secret memo obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, it said that the peopie living down wind of the Nevada test site during the atmospheric testing era, were described as a "low use segment of the population".

In recent declassified papers available here in

the United Kingdom it said, when making prepa­ rations for the Grapple tests and referring to the risk from radiation: "There would be only very slight health haz ards to people on the boundary of the area and that this would only be lo 'primitive people'" Who were these desk bound tin pot Gods? There sure was something wrong with their way of thinking, playing God.

Playing with statistics HEALTH files were closed when Nuclear Tests began, so says a report from N/S. Medical statistics are being manipulated to make the rate of cancer appear lower than it really is.

Many patients in Tahiti with cancer do not have their illnesses logged on the official record books.

In 1957, an estimated 70% of patients were not listed on the registry. Publication of health statistics, including data on the cause of death, stopped in 1966.

According to the report, 12,000 Polynesians employed as part of the Nuclear test programme, have all had their health monitored. NONE have heard the results of the checks done on them. It's the old, old familiar stocy.

Local health authorities have been denied access to data. Apparently it says increasing numbers of Polynesians visit foreign hospitals for treat­ ment, particularly cancer.

The authorities were dispersing the patients among civilian and military hospitals in France, Australia, New Zealand and the USA to avoid the potential embarrassment of having large numbers of Polynesian patients with cancer together in one hospital.

Nuremburg Principles THE Nuremburg Principles, the most important war crimes document of the 20th Century, which could be used as a standard by which the morality of Government's and the worldwide nuclear military industrial complex might be judged.

The Nuremburg Principles are 1. Any person who commits an act which constitutes a crime under International Law is responsible thereafter and liable to punishment.

2. The fact that International Law does not impose a penalty for an act which constitutes a crime under International Law, does not relieve the person who committed the act from responsi­ bility under International Law. 3. The fact that a person who committed an act which constitutes a crime under International Law, acted as Head of State or responsible Government official, does not relieve him of responsibility under International Law. 4. The fact that a person acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior does not relieve him of responsibility under International Law, provided a moral choice was in fact possi­ ble to him.

5. Any person charged with a crime under International Law has the right to a fair trial on the facts and law.

6. The crimes hereinafter set out are punishable as crimes under International Law; Crimes Against Peace; War Crimes; Crimes Against Humanity.

7. Complicity in the commission of a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity is a crime under International Law.

BOBBY BREWSTER

Vice-Chairmans report "Servicemen participating and witnessing weapon tests at Monte Bello. Maralinea. Emu Fields, maiden island and Christmas Island, 'were safer from the effect of radiation than those sitting in their own livintt room in the UK watching television."

"Successive British Government's have explained that almost all servicemen involved in the programme ofatmospheric nuclear tests received little or no additional radiation" "Successive British Government's have said that safety precautions were taken to protect participants from harm."

"The NRPB study shows the total incidence ofdeath and malignant disease among Test veterans has been no greater than for people who were not involved in the tests." rTIhese are just a few of the replies we have received from the Prime Minister's office and the Ministry of Defence - allegedly I intelligent people, people who run our country and make decisions regarding the welfare and defence of our nation. If these JL people are so adamant and convinced that they are 100 % correct, why is it that we, the test participants, some of whom are critically ill riddled with cancer's and other unknown radiation illnesses, are constantly being asked to participate in studies both medical and scientific to see what effect our various doses of radiation has had upon us (Oh yes!). It is admitted that we received doses of ionising radiation of various degrees, but not enough to harm us then or now (bulls...).

Lord Gordon Parry of Nayland, in July this year, kindly arranged a meeting in the House of Lords giving Ken McGinley, Mike Doyle, Mavis Gardner and myself the opportunity to speak to noble Lord's and MP's of all parties. We were listened to. we were asked questions and it was decided we should make up a brief which Sir John Hannon, MP, would hand to the Prime Minister, the Rt.IIon. John Major for his consideration.

Following the announcement and results of the independent NRPB Study 1988, Sir Richard Doll kindly agreed to meet some of us in his Oxford office to discuss their findings. Our solicitor, Mark Mildred, Mike Doyle and myself attended (May 1988) and as the meet­ ing reached its close I asked Sir Richard: "Sir, can radiation cause cancer?" His reply: "Yes it can and does cause cancer and other illnesses."

In September just gone our chairman Ken McGinley wrote to Sir Richard asking him if he re-called my question to him and his reply on that occasion. Ken received a fax reply dated 6/9/94 from Sir Richard and it read: "Ionising radiation can cause cancer.

More specifically ionising radiation causes a risk of cancer proportional to the dose, over a wide range of doses."

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LOOD donations! Why, if we were not affected do some blood transfusion service regions refuse our blood while others are prepared to accept it? Why have veterans been asked to participate in eye tests, blood sampling, and skin sampling in Liverpool, London and Oxford? Why! Why! Why! If our Government is so pig headed and adamant we were not harmed do these other medical and scientific bodies want to do these studies? The Prime Minister admitted from the floor of the House: "The UK does not have the medical or scientific expertise capable of giving answers."

In April of 1990 my medical specialist, at my request, was asked to "put his cards on the table and tell me the truth". He told me he could do no more for me and providing I took the medication prescribed I could live for another two or three years. Well, here we are 4yrs 7mths later still plodding on and I thank God (and my doctor) for this. However, this last few weeks I have really begun to wors­ en and deteriorate. My prayers (for all of us) become more ardent. I am beginning to feel scared - at times really scared.

I recalled a meeting some of us on your committee had with the NRPB Study team at Chilton Didcot in 1992. During that meeting it was suggested that at a later date we, the Veterans, donate body tissue and bone for study following our demise. Last month (October 1994) I wrote to the NRPB to ask if they still had it in mind to use parts of our body for study and, if so, I would be willing for parts to be removed before my burial.

Their reply, the same day, from Dr Roger Cox reads as follows:: "Wig are very sad to hear that your medical condition is deteriorating! so Quickly. You are not being the least bit dramatic; enormously brave is how I would describe it. I have discussed your extremely generous offer of post mortem tissues with my colleagues here, including the Assistant Director (Medicall We suggest that you might consider donat­ ing the following organs; a femur and six ribs; liver; lungs; two healthy teeth: eyes. We would also like you to have a blood sample taken soon so that we can use our laiest chromosone techniques. These tissues could provide further information on whether the veterans received high doses ofradiation or were internally contaminated ’ It sounds rather gruesome doesn't it? Well, I am complying. My blood sample is already with the NRPB undergoing tests. To get to the truth I feel I must do these things. Then and only then will justice be done. The NRPB want to do these study tests which tells me they believe us - we were affected. To donate your body parts you must carry out the following: Write it in your will. Notify your next of kin that it is your wish. Notify your doctor. Wc want the truth, not only for ourselves, but for our loved one's and for future generations. Too much vital knowledge and evidence has gone to the grave or up the chimney slacks of crematoriums. Stop losing that evidence. Having said all that I repeat myself and say refuse to accept Government decisions and beliefs. There is grave doubt. We know the truth, we were there. Let these people know we intend to fight on for truth and justice even in death.

read the rest of your magazine and enjoy it. ‘Enjoy the coming Christmas and a VjjvJ ‘dear coded1995. god •BCess you one and ad.

Peter Fletcher

British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (1992) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Ken McGinley 12 Walpole Place Johaslon Renfrewshire PA5 ORE Tel: 0505-704936 VICE-CHAIRMAN: Peter Fletcher “Monte Bello” 134 Clipsley Lane Haydock St.Helens WA11 0UB Tel: 0744-29636 SECRETARY: Derek Heaps 4 Bakewell Drive Castle Donninglon Derby DE7 2NF Tel: 0332-811429

TREASURER: Bill Kittsen 28 Westover Green Bramlev, Leeds LS13 3SO Tel: 0532-360703

Mike Reid 70 Rochdale Road Redhou.se Estate Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 091-549-7620

SOLICITOR: Mark Mildred 165 Greenwich High Road London SE10 8JA TEL: 081-858-8926

Mike Doyle 14 Exeter Gardens Stamford Lines PE9 2RN Tel: 0780-65622

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Chris Rowlands 14 Monksdown Road Liverpool Lll 1HH Tel: 051-226-3441

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

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

BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES Mike Reid (N E England) 70 Rochdale Road, Redhouse Estate, Sunderland SR5 5QQ Tel: 091-549-7620 John Lowe (Manchester) 45 Sheldrake Road, Broadheath, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5LJ TEL: 061-941-2164 Peter Bullcn (North and Mid Wales) Penlan Mill Cottage, Llandegai, Bangor, Gwynnd LLS7 4 LG Tel: 0248-352708 Tom Kitching (Humberside) 5 EUerby Grove, Preston Road, Hull HU9 3PR Tel: 0482-793082 Bill Kittsen (West Yorkshire) 28 Westover Green, Bramley, Leeds LS13 3SQ Tel: 0532-360703 Archie Ross (West Mids) 230 Burton Road, Woodville, Nr Burton-on-Trcnt Staffs DE11 7JR Tel: 0283-222113 Dave Ireland (North Yorkshire) 28 Main Street, Flixton Village, Scarborough, North Yorks Tel: 0723-890994

Chris Rowlands (Merseyside) 14 Monksdown Road, Liverpool Lll 1HH Tel: 051-226-3441 Peter and Gron Williams (South Wales), 27 Heol Myrddin, Ffairfach, Llandeilo SA19 6PD Tel: 0558-822141 Dave Riley (Portsmouth) 190 Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth P04 8LE Tel: 0705-735669 Ken Taylor (London) 56 Eastbourne Road, Stratford, London E15 Tel: 081-555-2644 Bernard Canovan (Lancashire) 18 Bog Heights Road, Darwin, Lancs BB3 0AW Tel: 0254-771499 Bobbie Brewster (Mrs) (Southampton) 61 Cedar Road, Hythe, Southampton S04 6PS Tel: 0703-844489 John Jones (South Yorks) 16 Peters Road, Edlington, Doncaster DN12 1NJ Tel: 0709-867775 Derek Heaps (East Midlands) 4 Bakewell Drive Derby.

Tel: 0332-811429

Paul Rowles (Kent) 4 Huntsmans Close, Rochester, Kent ME12RD Tel: 0634-828827 Widows Representative Mrs Mavis Gardner, 30 Link Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7BW Tel: 0533-364737 Ken Leyland (Canada) 8840 Douglas Street, Box 2121, Port Hardy, BC Canada, Von-2PO Pat Hurley (Milton Keynes) 24 Caxton Road, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK1250PG TEL: 0908-313024 A M Loudon (Scotland) 18 McLelland Drive, Kilmarnock, Scotland KA11SE Tel: 0563-43731 J D Crossan (Australia) 80 Hemphill Avenue, Mount Pritchard, New South Wales 2170, Australia

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H E words below were written by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918), a Canon at St Pauls for 26 years and they gave great comfort to member M A Hutchinson following the loss of his wife Rose.

Words ofComfort “Death is nothing at all, I have onfy shipped away into the ne^t room,, I am I andyou are you, Whatever we were to each other that we are stiff, Caff me By my ofdfamifiar name, spca%_to me, in the easy way zvfiich you afways used.

Tut no difference into your tone; wear no forced air ofsolemnity or sorrow, Laugh as we afways laughed at the littlejofos We enjoyed together.

(Play, smile, thinJ^ofme, pray for me Let my name Be ever the household word that it always was, Let it Be spofen without effort, without the shadow ofaghast on it Life means all that it ever meant It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unBrofyn continuity What is this death But a negligible accident?

Why should I Be out of mind Because lam out ofsight?

I am waiting foryou for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the comer. All is well

NEWS IN BRIEF

Our thanks for Co-Op kindness A LTHOUGH the occasion of the West Midlands ijk Memorial Stone service has been covered 1lelsewhere in this magazine by Archie Ross, I feel I must add a little extra.

Our deepest thanks and gratitude as always is extended to the Co-Operative Funeral Services nationwide. It started in Liverpool when Chris Rowlands and I approached the Co-Operative for a piece of stone.

They kindly quoted a price, but then told Chris they would like to donate the stone to the BNTVA - a wonderful gesture. Alas, a few weeks after the unveiling service our stone was smashed by unknown persons.

Mr Larry Williams of the Co-Op was again approached to see if the stone could be repaired.

Within one hour of telling him about the breakage, he had gone to inspect the stone and report back: "No, it cannot be repaired, but we will donate a new one."

Following this I approached the Co-Operative in Portsmouth. Again they donated a beautiful 'special' stone. It was special because it had come from a specific quarry to match the stonework of Portsmouth Cathedral. (Please remember Sunday 19th February, 1995, our annual Remembrance Service at our stone in the Cathedral grounds.

Contact Dave Riley on 0705-735669 for details.

Next it was the Co-Operative Funeral Services at South Wales, Risca, and again a beautiful stone donated.

Scotland did their own thing and members there donated the money to purchase a stone and also the British Nuclear test veterans Standard (Scotland).

In June of last year (1993) Nobby Clark (West Midlands) and Derek Heaps (East Midlands) asked me for the stone's in their areas. Once more Chris Rowlands and myself went to task.

First West Midlands where the Co-Op gave us a yes saying: "We will be only too pleased to supply you with one at no cost." My letter to East Midlands received the same reply.

In all cases, as soon as we knew we had our stone, Canon Nicholas Frayling, Chris and I went

NEWS IN BRIEF

THE following is a letter from Ken Levland of8840 Douglas Street. Box 2121. Port Hardy, BC VON 2PO f J10DAYI have filled in a claim form 9 claiming lung damage caused by being JL exposed to radiation dust coming from the earth moving machines I worked on as a welder.

I was the plant welder and worked on all the machines needing repairs. I also worked on the crushers on the beach.

Each year for the past 14 years, I have had chest x-rays. It comes with my job and each year they show increased markings on both lungs.

Last year I was asked to have tests for TB and these came up negative.

The question comes up: Is there a history of chronic inorganic dust inhalation?

Flame cutting and welding throws out all the dust off of what you are working on. I am • saying that some of the dust was contaminated.

Do we know if any tests have been done to establish the health hazards a welder faced working on equipment used in the testing of « nuclear weapons? I look for an answer to help my claim.

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HIS year I requested and got 100 tickets (68 were used) for the Remembrance Sunday Parade at The Cenotaph in Whitehall.

We had our largest turnout to dale with members

BY PETER FLETCHER about organising and arranging the day and service.

West Midlands: We hit snags as to where the stone would be laid to rest. The stone was ready, but where would it go? It took almost 12 months before it v/as finalised and unfortunately Nicholas was out of the country on a three month sabbatical and left me to liaise with the Very Rev.Peter Berry, Provost of Birmingham.

I called upon Nobby Clark and Muriel McCormack to work on the Provost and the Council as to where the stone would be rested. Work they did, running to and from Birmingham Cathedral, Birmingham Council and the Peace Garden. Our telephones were red hot and throughout all this Nobby was looking after "our Peggy" who was ill and he ignored his own aches and pains.

Saturday 17th September, 1994, dawned. It was a beautiful day following days of heavy rains and gales. Our Canon Nicholas Frayling travelled down from Liverpool and our Lord Parry travelled up from Wales.

The Standard Bearers were Bob Smith (Scotland), Dave Riley (Portsmouth), Harry Hoult (North West) and, of course, our National Standard Bearer, "Nobby Clark". They were all on parade making it a memorable occasion.

To the staff of the Co-Operative Funeral Services in Lichfield, Staffs - Mr C Ward, Mr E Roome and Terry Heneghan who cut and engraved the stone many, many thanks.

Let us also not forget thanks to Isabelle Anderson of Paisley who has worked so hard typing up the orders of service for all these occasions followed by printing and making them into book form.

Plans are now underway for a service and stone in the North East (Durham) next Spring.

Do not forget, if you are in any of these areas Liverpool, Portsmouth, Paisley, Leicester, Birmingham - visit our stones, say your little prayers and treasure the memory of those we have lost.

"We will Remember Them."

NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF

travelling from Scotland, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Birmingham, Mansfield, Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and, of course, London, to pay their tributes and remember the sacrifice of men and women from all past conflicts and service.

I extend sincere thanks to Don James and Ken Taylor who supplied us with wheelchairs and a buffet following the service.

A special mention for Ken Taylor from Peter Fletcher who was pushed throughout by Ken in his wheelchair even to the station on his departure.

Also thanks to Sid Harris (Blackpool), who travelled with and nursed Peter throughout Without this assistance from good friends Peter says he could not take part in that glorious parade every year.

TT^eter Fletcher writes to say that it is with 9-^pleasure he announces his approach and JL request to Mrs June Cowell at Blackpool Conference Office for use of The Horseshoe bar for the 1995 AGM, has been approved by their committee who will fund all costs as they have done in previous years.

So pul the date in your diary - Saturday 29th April 1995 at 1.30pm. The evening social Is in the Paradise Room at 730pm. Full details in your next issue of the BNTVA magazine.

To Mrs June Cowell and Mrs Margaret RafTerty, Blackpool Conference Office, we at the BNTVA thank you and salute you.

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ONGRATULATIONS toTeny Mercer (Merseyside branch) who has been honoured by the church for his outstanding services.

Terry, cx-NAAFI, Christmas Island, was presented with the prestigious Bene Merenli Medal

by Archbishop Derek Warlock on October 6lh at a special ceremony in St Vincents church.

The medal is the highest award a lay person can receive and it is issued with the blessing of The Pope. Everyone at the BNTVA sends their congratulations and hopes Terry will carry on his good work. npO close, a word of thanks to Peter Wild ■ and all the staff at The BNTVA Lottery JL Office for all the help they give us throughout the year without which we would find it difficult to publish a quarterly magazine.

And we would also like to thank the staff at J Walter Thompson's who have agreed to print six issues of the magazine for us - once again saving us a lot of money.

It's good to know we have so many friends out there willing to help the Association.

If you have an interesting article or any photographs for the next issue of the BNTVA magazine, please send them to Peter Fletcher or Ken McGinlev.

ABOVE: Archie Ross tends to our memorial Stone in Birmingham

A day to remember

BY ARCHIE ROSS West Midlands branch

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OD smiled on the West Midlands branch on September 17,1994. The sun shone con­ tinuously onto the Peace Gardens dur­ ing the service unveiling our West Midlands Memorial Stone.

The occasion was reasonably attend­ ed and it was good to see so many who made the effort to travel and attend, each hoping the weather would hold fair. God Bless us all - it did.

Our Chaplain, Canon Nicholas Frayling, the Rev.Peter Berry (Provost of Birmingham), and Rev. Christine Craven (General Secretary of the Council of Christian Churches), who conducted the service.

Lord Gordon Parry travelled up from Wales to unveil the Stone and the Rt.Hon. Jeff Rooker MP was also in attendance.

We were extremely pleased to see

how confidently and smartly our grand­ children carried out their little tasks and in fact everyone, without exception, turned out "shipshape and Bristol fash­ ion".

We thank most sincerely all digni­ taries for their wonderful support that day in particular Lord Parry. I was informed he was just a normal, ordi­ nary man and I found him to be a Lord in soul and spirit. He is the epitome of what a Peer of the Realm should be and others could do better by following his example. Thank you sir!

A mention for the band of T.S.Leopard, who gave a good account of themselves. The list of goodwill is endless.

The occasion was financed by the very dear family of our recently departed Denis Mills whom we all miss dearly. Thank you Jean and family I am sure Denis was with us in spirit also.

Most of you are aware the Memorial Stone was donated by the Co-

Operative Funeral Services and we are indebted to them - many, many thanks.

There were a lorra, lorra fine people making frantic efforts behind the scenes, hurrying, scurrying to and fro, phoning, travelling, planning and exe­ cuting the many functions to ensure the day was a success.

The buffet did not produce itself and special thanks go to the McCormack family - Murial, Allison, Sharon, Steven and Stanley (Stanley made a video of the occasion) for the truly magnificent spread. Well done to you all.

Second lastly, two people set this day up from start to finish, completely on their own, hurriedly, frustratingly, admirably, devotedly and cheekily.

Then they finished up In the club with 'Tetley*, (tea that is). Nobby, Murial, Murial, Nobby - take a bow. Go on, take another. Two of the nicest mem­ bers in our branch!

Who said so? I bloody did. All the best to all of you.

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12 Station Road, Blackpool Tel: 01253-343012

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1 Situated opposite South Pier Large, comfortable bar/lounge “1 Spacious separate dining room fl Excellent varied menus ~1 Choice of standard or en-suite bedrooms with all facilities Full central heating Proprietors - Pat and Wilf Taylor

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