New medal to honour nuclear test veterans
VETERANS Minister Johnny Mercer yesterday paid tribute to the service personnel who played a part in the nuclear tests of the 1950s – and said the deterrent they helped to develop was a cornerstone of Britain’s defence.
The Plymouth Moor View MP was at the National Memorial Aborteum in Staffordshire with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace yesterday, as it was announced that thousands of people who took part in the UK’s nuclear test programme will receive a medal recognising their service. The award comes following years of campaigning for the honour.
An estimated 22,000 veterans and civilians – many from the South West – 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.
Mr Mercer said: “This medal honours those who served far from home, at a crucial time in our nation’s history. 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.”
The honour commemorates the contributions made by veterans, scientists and local employees from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati. It comes after several years of campaigning for atomic test survivors to be given medals by groups including the charity Labrats International.
Mr Sunak described the decoration as “an enduring symbol of our country’s gratitude” for those involved in the test programme.
The Prime Minister said: “I am incredibly proud that we are able to mark the service and dedication of our nuclear test veterans with this new medal.
“Their commitment and service has preserved peace for the past 70 years, and it is only right their contribution to our safety, freedom and way of life is appropriately recognised with this honour.
“This medal is an enduring symbol of our country’s gratitude to each and every person who played a part in this effort and their loved ones who supported them.”
Mr Mercer, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, described the nuclear deterrent as “the cornerstone of our defence”.
Mr Wallace, the Defence Secretary, has also thanked veterans for their “invaluable contribution” to national security.
Those who worked under UK command during tests at the Montebello Islands; Christmas Island; Malden Island; Maralinga, South Australia; and Emu Field, South Australia, between 1952 and 1967, will be eligible to apply for the medal. It can also be awarded posthumously to veterans’ families.
Downing Street has said the first awards will be made in 2023.
The Government is also investing
‘Their commitment and service has preserved peace for the past 70 years’ RISHI SUNAK
£450,000 into projects which will build understanding of the experiences of veterans who were deployed to Australia and the Pacific.
As part of this funding, the Government’s Office for Veterans’ Affairs is launching an oral history project to chronicle the experiences of those who supported the nation’s effort to develop a nuclear deterrent.
Due to start in April 2023, the project will run for two years, and aims to build an accessible digital archive of testimonies.