Fears over nuclear attack by Soviets sees Red Cross volunteers prepare unit

Fears of a nuclear attack by the Soviet Union was uppermost in the minds of people in Britain during the autumn of 1961.

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

Against that background, the Observer of November 1961, reported that 39 members of the Stirlingshire branch of the British Red Cross Society volunteered to serve as a `forward medical aid unit’ for the county.

Their job was to link with medical services dealing with casualties in the event of 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 the Municipal Buildings, Stirling.

Referring to civil defence provision, he explained that 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 to the Observer, the role of the unit would be to go into 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 for them to go.

Apart from medical matters, the unit would also play a part in helping to feed, comfort and provide clothing for those distressed and homeless as a result of an emergency.

Meanwhile, there was concern that the Russian nuclear tests would render the level of radioactive iodine in milk above the safe limit for human consumption.

However, Stirlingshire Public Health Committee was told milk was judged safe at the moment but if it became unfit to drink they had enough powdered milk for all children under a year in the area.

A depot had been established for the storage of the powdered milk that might be necessary and contact had been made with voluntary organisations, such a Women’s Voluntary Services, who it was hoped would helped distribute it.

Asked about the risk to milk, medical officer of health for the county Dr E Neil Reid said information from the latest nuclear tests was not yet complete.

However, it was generally considered by `competent experts that the amount at present was far below the danger level’.