We’ll remember vital chapter of UK history

AT the height of the Cold War, troops, scientists and civilian staff sailed to the other side of the world.

Few knew the true purpose of the secret mission they were part of.

Today, 70 years on, we remember this sometimes forgotten chapter.

Thanks to the courage of our veterans, and ingenuity of British science, we have a nuclear deterrent that still keeps our country safe today.

We all owe our nuclear test veterans an enormous debt of gratitude.

I salute their courage and determined campaign – supported by their families and The Mirror – for recognition of their vital contribution.

It has been a privilege to hear about their experiences – often humbling and harrowing. I served in the Army in Afghanistan. My driving reason for going into politics is because I was deeply unhappy with the level of care for veterans that this country offered.

This government is determined to ensure the sacrifices made by these heroes and their families remain firmly at the forefront of our nation’s history.

On Monday, at a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum, the Prime Minister announced they will be awarded a medal for their service. Their reaction – one of elation, applause and raw emotion – will live with me forever.

We will now be creating an oral history and digital archive to chronicle their voices. A fitting legacy.