Test veterans who made UK a nuclear power are honoured

Contribution by military and civilians deployed to blast sites is recognised, 70 years after the first test

VETERANS who helped make Britain a nuclear power will today be recognised by the Government for the first time.

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, will attend today’s event in honour of nuclear test veterans, held 70 years after the first British test took place.

Mr Wallace yesterday praised the Armed Forces veterans for their “invaluable contribution to the safety and security of the UK”.

He said the Government recognises and values their “enduring service to our nation”.

Mr Wallace added that the event would serve to “commemorate their outstanding courage which helped the UK to become a nuclear power and has ensured we can play our part in keeping the UK and her allies safe in a world of evolving threats”.

The veterans and civilian staff, including personnel from across the Commonwealth, who participated in the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme, the first of which was known as Operation Hurricane, made the UK the world’s third nuclear power.

This work contributed to achieving the nuclear deterrent – the ultimate guarantee of UK sovereignty which continues to keep us safe today and helps guarantee international security.

Johnny Mercer, the veterans’ minister, will also join Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families, and representatives from military charities at the commemoration.

Mr Mercer said: “To this day, the nuclear deterrent remains the cornerstone of our defence and that is only because of the service and contribution of the brilliant veterans and civilian personnel.

“It’s right that we mark this contribution today, 70 years on from Britain’s first nuclear test.”

The Government announced last month that to further recognise the contribution of veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests, it would be investing £450,000 into projects which will commemorate and build further understanding of the experiences of veterans and civilians who were deployed to Australasia.

As part of the Government’s commitment to nuclear test veterans, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) is providing a £250,000 oral history project to

‘Their outstanding courage ensured we can play our part in keeping the UK and her allies safe’

chronicle the voices and experiences of those who supported the UK’S effort to develop a nuclear deterrent.

Due to start in April 2023, the project will run for two years, giving nuclear test veterans the opportunity to be interviewed, and contribute to an accessible digital archive of testimonies about their time working on the historic tests.

The OVA is currently seeking leading historians to undertake the oral history project and they will partner with a major cultural institution of their choice, to deliver the project and create a lasting national memory.

The OVA has also made available an additional £200,00 open to bids from charities to support them in developing and running activities for nuclear test veterans.