Calls for apology and for medal to be issued

Three weeks after the first test on July 16 1945, nuclear bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands of civilians immediately and many more from radiation exposure later.

Since then, on home soil, there have been health problems, including spinal deformities, transposed organs, heart defects and sterility, all blamed on veterans’ exposure to nuclear testing.

Mr Moir is urging the government to admit there is a definite link.

“His reply was, ‘A pity, but we can’t help it’.”

He said: “I do believe we were misled, and that the knowledge then wasn’t what it is today.

“In 1955 the prime minister was told that these bombs could cause genetic damage that could lead to trouble in later life for people and their offspring.

“His reply was, ‘A pity, but we can’t help it’. That was the government’s attitude then and it is still the government’s attitude today.

“All I’m asking is for veterans to be given a medal and for the government to admit they were exposed to radiation and that they’re sorry.

“Hopefully this anniversary, and the fact veterans’ children and grandchildren are now taking up the fight, will make a difference.”

Last year a petition with 11,000 signatures was presented to the government for consideration, but to no avail.