Fears of a nucleur attack by the Soviet Union

Fears of a nuclear attack bythe Soviet Unionwas uppermost in themindsofpeople in Britain during theautumn of 1961.

Fifty-seven nuclear weapons tests had been carried by the EasternBloc country during September, October and November of that year.

Againstthat background, the Observer of November, 1961,reported that 39 members of the Stirlingshire branch of the BritishRed Cross Society volunteered to serve asa `forward medical aid unit’ forthecounty.

Their job was to link with medical services dealing with casualties in the eventof nuclear war.

Details of the formation of the unit was given by Lt Col JG McKellar, county director, in his report to the branch’s annual general meeting held in theMunicipal Buildings, Stirling.

Referring to civildefence provision, heexplainedthat the Stirling detachments, with representatives from Kippen, had just completed a course of lectures and films outlining the preparations for `possible nuclear disaster’.

The `forward medical aid unit’ comprised four doctors, four staff nurses, 36 volunteer nurses, six clerical staff and others.

According tothe Observer, the role of the unit would be to gointo disaster areas and bring out casualties.They would be directed by `experts’ measuring radiation who would direct them to areas in which it was safe forthem to go.

Apart from medical matters, the unit would also play a part inhelping to feed, comfort and provide clothing forthose distressed and homeless as a resultof an emergency.

Meanwhile, there was concern thatthe Russian nuclear tests would render the level of radioactive iodinein milk above thesafe limit for human consumption.

However, Stirlingshire Public HealthCommittee was told milkwas judged safeat the momentbutif it became unfit to drink they hadenough powdered milkfor all children under a year in the area.

A depot had been established forthe storageof the powdered milk that might be necessary andcontact had been made with voluntary organisations,such aWomen’s Voluntary Services, whoit was hoped would helped distribute it.

Asked aboutthe risk to milk, medical officer ofhealthfor thecounty Dr E Neil Reid said informationfrom the latest nuclear tests was not yet complete. However, it was generally considered by `competentexperts thatthe amountat present was far below thedanger level’.