Nuclear test veterans to be honoured
ATOM bomb testing veterans have welcomed the Government’s announcement of a medal recognising their service after “70 years of denial”.
An estimated 22,000 veterans and civilians will be eligible for the Nuclear Test Medal, which has been introduced to mark the 70th anniversary of the nation’s first atomic test, Downing Street said.
The honour commemorates the contributions made by veterans, scientists and local employees from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati. It comes after years of campaigning for atomic test survivors to be given medals by veterans groups, including the Labrats International charity.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the decoration as “an enduring symbol of our country’s gratitude” for those involved in the test programme. He made the announcement yesterday during a service at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, marking seven decades since the first test of a British atom bomb.