Good News for British Nuclear Test Veterans in Parliament
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CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020 TM Good news for British nuclear test veterans in Parliament BNTVA Memorials uncovered Media coverage of Britain’s nuclear test veterans IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE Contents Page 1 Page 15 Page 27 A Message from our Patron BNTVA Memorial Puzzle Page from Sir John Hayes CBE MP Leeds Page 28 Page 2 Page 16 Ways to pay your annual BNTVA A Message from the Chair BNTVA Memorials membership subscription from Ceri McDade. Leicester & Liverpool Page 30 Page 4 Page 18 Contact page Why Remember? BNTVA Memorials from the Very Rev. Nicholas Manchester & Paisley Frayling KStJ. BNTVA Chaplain. TRUSTEES Page 19 Ceri McDade BNTVA Memorial Page 5 Chair Portsmouth A Message from John Lax the Revd. Sian Gasson Page 20 Secretary A nuclear test descendant and BNTVA Memorials Ron Watson Vicar of St Gabriel & St Cleopas, Risca & Spalding Treasurer Liverpool. Wesley Perriman Page 21 Curator & Editor Page 6 BNTVA Memorials John McDade Optimism for the British West Ham & The Don Bar Governance Officer Nuclear Test Veterans with the Shelly Grigg Overseas Operations' Bill Page 22 Fallout & Shop Manager A report from Ceri McDade Reader’s Story A meeting with the Kiribati Andi Jones Page 8 Ambassador regarding Montebello Representative National Atomic Veterans Nuclear Testing by John Lax David Bostwick Awareness Day and Ron Watson Trustee A report from Wesley Perriman Page 24 Page 9 Guinea Pig Ship BNTVA Memorial A book written National Memorial Arboretum, by Brian Marshall We want to hear Alrewas, Staffordshire Page 24 from you... Page 12 BNTVA Coffin Drape BNTVA Memorials If you would like us to interview Page 25 you about your time spent at the Billingham & Birmingham Dear Editor British nuclear tests, or if you'd like Page 13 to share any stories in our next Page 26 BNTVA Memorials magazine. The UN Nuclear Ban Treaty: Blackpool & Gillingham A Historic Moment for Nuclear Please email [email protected], Page 14 Test Veterans phone 0208 144 3080 or write to Reader’s Story A Report from Dr Becky BNTVA, The Smithy, Defynnog, from Peter Fletcher Alexis-Martin Brecon, Powys LD3 8SB. CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020 1 A Message from our Patron As veterans know, for years I have championed the cause of our neglected part of the veteran community – all those involved in nuclear testing. People reading this will know that servicemen involved in the UK’s veterans will not be unintentionally troops who – in the service of their nuclear testing programme. disadvantaged by measures in the Queen and country – were exposed to Overseas Operations (Service Now, as the Government are enormous amounts of toxic radiation Personnel and Veterans) Bill, working hard to respect and protect have suffered numerous, serious designed to prohibit legal cases the interests of veterans, I have health problems as a result of based on past events. invisible alterations to cellular DNA. urged them not to forget about those who served so bravely and Working with colleagues across Responding to our campaign for suffered so severely following our the House of Commons and adequate recognition for our brave nuclear testing programme. supporters beyond, I will redouble my nuclear test vets, the then Defence efforts to see a medal awarded to Secretary agreed that the Advisory As such, I have written to Nuclear Test Veterans. In view of their Military Sub-Committee (AMSC) Parliamentary Under-Secretary of age, it can’t come soon enough! should consider the case for awarding State for Defence, Johnny Mercer MP, a specially produced medal to the seeking reassurance that test Rt Hon Sir John Hayes CBE MP A Sad Departure from the Board of Trustees The other day I received an extremely sad and emotional email from my dear friend and colleague David Taunt. David and I go back a long way, when Sadly, David’s health has progressively Although David will no longer be part we first met in 1961 on Christmas deteriorated over the years, and now of the Board of Trustees he has island. David was in the Royal Navy his eye-sight is failing to the point that promised to remain as active as he and I was in the Royal Air Force, but he feels that he must resign his can within the Charity, and we we became close friends, united by position of Trustee and Vice Chair of welcome his continued participation similar interests and Operation Dominic. the BNTVA; this will be a significant with the BNTVA. Speaking on behalf of the board of trustees, we will all We worked on the Christmas Island loss to the BNTVA and I will miss the miss David’s contribution, insight and Broadcasting Service, CIBS, and we banter we both shared. There is no humour on such a regular basis. both liked to water ski, scuba dive, doubt that we will remain in contact race go-carts and play music. with each other either by telephone or John Lax Inter-service rivalry never featured in Messenger and, hopefully we will get our relationship. together again to enjoy a beer or two. 2 CAMPAIGN Autumn 2020 A Message from the Chair Dear Member, Welcome to the Memorials’ Edition of the BNTVA Campaign. Although this edition has come a Part of the Covid-19 funding we Please call 0208 144 3080 if you are short while since our last edition, we received in July from the Armed interested in the BNTVA developing a felt that, due to the second wave of Forces Covenant Fund Trust was service tailored for descendants. Covid-19, ongoing lockdowns and the designated to further communication Additionally, we still run the Daily cancellation of the Whitehall March with our members, and we are keen Mirror funded text-a-friend service; in London on Remembrance Sunday, to carry this out. if you feel you would benefit from this we could provide a Campaign edition contact, please let me know. We are organising two Telephone for those who are unable to attend Friendship Groups through the Silver Since the Summer Campaign their war memorial on November 8th. Line Charity (part of Age UK), who edition, which included requests for A few veterans and descendants own the platform, to commence veterans, wives, widows and contacted after reading the Summer from January 2021. We have received descendants to get in touch with us, Campaign to attend the National interest from veterans, wives and we have received some great Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire widows who would like to become feedback. One suggestion was to for the National Atomic Veterans’ part of these hour-long weekly resurrect a newsletter for veterans Awareness Day (NAVAD), on 3 groups to discuss hobbies, interests who don’t wish to access the October. After being faced with a and chat, as well as volunteers who internet. Gordon Wilcox, vicar who was potentially locked are interested in training to become ex-chairman of the BNTVA East down in Liverpool, and changing facilitators. The groups are initially Anglia Branch, has sent me a copy, guidelines in the weeks and days funded for 8 months through the and given a list of veterans who preceding the service, a limited Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, would be interested in receiving an number were allowed under very and the Veterans’ Foundation, who interim newsletter. strict rules to socially distance and currently fund Project Fallout, and gather for the outside service are also interested in funding this So, in the future, a summary of during Storm Alex. increased communication for our news that we share on Facebook members. and through other online media, will The service took part on the wettest be sent by post to those who would day of the year, and we apologise A few descendants are feeling the otherwise miss it. that due to the torrential rain, we strain of social isolation, loneliness were unable to write a dedication on and anxiety, and are seeking friendship We have also heard from dozens the wreath as the paper was so wet. with other descendants. To meet this of veterans, keen on submitting If we were able, It would have read, need, we are looking at options for. an application for a War Pension "To our brothers, husbands, and BNTVA running something similar for under the new eligibility criteria fathers, we thank you, miss you and descendants to connect for a regular from the Office of Veterans’ will always remember you". chat and support for one another. Affairs. CAMPAIGN AUTUMN 2020 3 We have been working daily on Officer, and John Ward, our PR understand the frustration of sending forms to veterans who have Officer. We welcome a decision made continued waiting concerning any requested them, and helping with last week to exempt British nuclear outcome. queries concerning submissions. test veterans from the Overseas Laura Cooke, journalist and If you haven’t applied yet, please Operations Bill, outlined in this granddaughter of a nuclear test contact [email protected], phone edition, and I am pleased to have veteran from Operation Hurricane, 0208 144 3080, or write to been invited to join the Advisory recently interviewed a number of Board of the Brunel Centre for BNTVA, The Smithy, Defynnog, veterans to highlight the plight still Health Effects of Radiological and Brecon LD3 8SB for more Chemical Agents (CHRC), to bring experienced concerning recognition information. the viewpoint of BNTVA members, and hope of a medal for experience and effects of the nuclear tests. Her It is continuing to be a busy time in discuss ongoing research and article, published on October 23rd, connecting with our members, and research possibilities.