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IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE

The Journal of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association

March 2010 Registered Charity number 1131134

CAMPAIGN

Maralinga Today

2Maralinga Ceremony

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The final section of the formerMaralinga nuclear test site in

South Australia's north has beenhanded back to it’s traditionalowners.On the 18th December 2009 aceremony, involving the MaralingaTjarutja people, ended their 50-year struggle to have the landreturned.It followed the passing oflegislation in the South AustralianParliament allowing for Section400, an area of 3,100 squarekilometres, to be handed back.The Maralinga area was used bythe British government for nucleartests between 1953 and 1963.

The first hand back of land to theMaralinga Tjarutja occurred in1984 with two further parcels ofland returned in 1991. Section 400is located about 300kilometres northwest ofCeduna.

Aboriginal Affairs MinisterJay Weatherill said “whilethe Maralinga story was oneof suffering and loss,Friday's ceremony wasabout healing.”'The British nuclear testsoccurred during a period in

our history when little regard wasgiven to Aboriginal people or theirconnection to the land. He said

“The Maralinga Tjarutja peoplewere put through an unthinkableexperience”.

They were forced from their landsagainst their will. They hadnuclear weapons tested, andhazardous chemicals used on theirtraditional sacred lands, andimportant parts of their communityand beliefs were torn from them.

Mr Weatherill said “the hand backfollowed years of negotiations andextensive rehabilitation work”.

Even after the clean up, 70 squaremiles of this land is stillconsidered too dangerous to allowpeople to live on it.

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A message for Easter from ourChaplain

‘Now there remain faith, hope andlove, these three, but the greatest ofthese is love.’

Famous words from St Paul’s firstletter to the Corinthians, so often readat weddings and increasingly, I find,at funerals.

Far be it for a mere Chaplain to takeissue with St Paul, but I do wonderwhether the greatest of the threeChristian virtues should really behope.

Hope always has a future reference: inthe Christian story, there is the hopeexpressed in the new birth atBethlehem; the hope which constantlyfilled Jesus' teaching; and above allthe Resurrection hope – the promiseof new life, which turned the defeat ofGood Friday into the triumph of thefirst Easter morning.

That hope has inspired Christianpeople down the centuries, and itinspires us still.It makes it possible to believe, withMother Julian of Norwich,

the medieval mystic, that:

‘All will be well, and all manor ofthing will be well’…

Even, or perhaps especially, when weleast expect it.

Long-standing members of thisAssociation have known muchdiscouragement as they have soughtjustice and proper recognition ofservice and sacrifice.

Many are no longer with us, but – Idare to hope – continue to support thepresent and coming generations withtheir prayers.

The BNTVA is facing freshchallenges, not least in the vitalexamination of the health of thechildren and grandchildren ofveterans.

These challenges will demand freshenergy and the taking up of the torchby a new generation: none of us isgetting any younger, after all!

But my prayer is that, as theAssociation undertakes new tasks andfaces new challenges, its trustees,members and their families will beinspired by fresh hope and love… andthe greatest of these is hope!

Nicholas FraylingDean of Chichester

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Chairman

It is with regret that the trusteeshave to inform the membership that

John Lowe has resigned as BNTVAChairman with immediate effect.

Under section 2 paragraph 17 (2) ofthe governing document the trusteeshave appointed Nigel Heaps to beChairman of the Association subjectto ratification at the AGM

John Lowe

I have known John for many years —even before he became an

Executive member. He has alwaysworked hard for the Association andhas always been dedicated to the tasksin hand.He stood up to be counted when thelast Chairman walked out, holding theAssociation together.Since he took up the reins theAssociation has moved from strengthto strength. Our position is betterthan it ever has been, both financiallyand in credibility.He now finds it time to hand over thesteering wheel to a younger group ofmembers, to help the Association planand build for the future.We hope that he can find time toattend our conference in 2011.The trustees wish you John, all thebest in the coming yearsDerek Heaps

Message from Nigel Heaps

The past year has been one of greatchange, the foundations of the

new organisation have been laid andwork is well underway to forge theinfrastructure which will create anAssociation able to provide a lastinglegacy for our children andgrandchildren.

This achievement has come with aprice, unfortunately John took thedifficult decision to stand down. Iwish to thank John for all theexceptional work he has given to theAssociation, many times he was the‘only man standing’ and without hiscontribution we would not be in theamazing position we are today. Ihope everything works for him andlook forward to seeing John at the2011 Conference.

Having been asked to take up theprestigious role of Chairman I canpromise my complete determinationto realise the vision of my trusteecolleagues.

The first change the Trustees and I aremaking is in attendance to the 2010Conference. This year will be alandmark event; our main focus willbe on organising for the future.

We have a whole series of verychallenging dynamic proposals toplace before you, proposals that willchange the direction and pace of theAssociation for all time.

To ensure we maximise the exposureof this event please will all membersmake a special effort to attend.

Non-Members will be able to observethe conference and learn what we aretrying to achieve, and how we plan todo it. Whilst they will not be able tovote on any issue, it is our hope thatthey will be inspired to join theAssociation and possibly becomeactive in building that future.

Every person who attends as anobserver and signs up formembership using the directpayment form, will receive a year freemembership for 2010/2011.

Now is the time to bring a son,daughter, grandchild or friend along.Let them see what we are achieving,and encourage them to become a partof your heritage.

Two years ago my father dragged me(somewhat reluctantly I might add) tothe AGM in Blackpool. I had metsome of the veterans many yearsbefore.

I was impressed that the level ofdetermination, and camaraderie wasundiminished by the intervening years.As I watched the meeting I realisedsomething here was very importantand precious, something that needednurturing to enable it to grow,something which would link myfather, his fellow veterans and theirfamilies with me and my family.

At the end of the meeting I told myfather I wanted to join and dosomething for the Association.

That was two years ago, since then Ihave served on the G2+ initiative, andafter last year’s AGM I joined themanagement committee. I helpeddeliver the resoundingly successfulnational ballot to make theAssociation a Registered Charity, ofwhich I am proud to say that I am aTrustee. I continue to work with thepeople you see sitting on the top tableto shape and deliver our vision of thefuture.

If my father had not dragged mealong I would not be here in the roleof Chairman, steering us forward. Iwould not be here sharing somethingwith my father that could so easilyhave passed me by.

Never before in the history of theBNTVA has there been a morecritical time for us to introduce ‘NewBlood’.

Join with us, and make the next twoyears secure the future of the nexttwenty.

Will you bring your child, grandchild,friend or colleague to the AGM, andplan for the future?

Nigel Heaps

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Nigel Heaps

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Listen Very Carefully

I shall say this only once!

Just in case you are wondering whysuch a start to my piece, it’s because Iam a great fan of the B B Cprogramme “Allo” “Allo” especiallythe leader of the “Resistance”. Thephrase she always used to passimportant information.

I intend to stand down as membershipsecretary at the 2011 AGM; thismeans that we will need to find areplacement for me. I haverationalised the Membership andissued new numbers to you all. Thatnumber was on the envelopecontaining the Sept .09 magazine.You will find a standing order formwith this magazine, to enable us toaccurately issue membership cards.You must use your new number.

I have had a number of letters andtelephone calls to tell me I have madea mistake with the membershipnumber sent out. These are thecorrect ones and should be used in allcorrespondence, and on the standingorder forms. To use any other willcause confusion to me, and whoevertakes over in the future. Rationalisingthe system has taken a large amountof effort.I enjoyed being the Scottish rep andStandard Bearer, and being thedriving force behind the BNTVAMemorial at The National Arboretum

Alrewas. The Memorial will help toinform future generations of ourinvolvement in the protection of thisCountry and perhaps make them thinkabout experiences and legacy endured.

I am also pleased to say that themajority of people I have been incontact with over the last years havealways been a pleasure to deal with.

Bob Smith

PaymentsWhen any payment is sent to theBNTVA, cheques must only bemade out to the BNTVA. We stillreceive cheques made out toindividuals.Standing order forms, payments overthe counter at your bank (BACS),through PayPal, and on line bankingmust have your membership numberand your name as reference. Withoutthese details you will not receive yourmembership card, nor will yourmembership account be credited.Please send any donations separatelyfrom your annual subscription viaBACS, Paypal or on line bankingBank details for UK payments only

HSBC plc Parliament Street YorkBank account number:64259351Bank Sort Code:40-47-31Account Name: British NuclearTests Veterans AssociationRemember to use your name andmembership number as yourreference.

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Book this date in your diary

Conference & AGM 2010

Saturday 24th April 2010Same venue as usual at the ParadiseRoom, Pleasure Beach, South Shore.Blackpool.The meeting commences at 13.30hrs, doors open for registration at13.15 hrs .

This year the AGM will only be theafternoon session. The evenings gettogether will be at the ParisienneHotel North Promenade (see Ad onpage 9). Special rates for over nightaccommodation have been negotiatedfor those members wishing to stay inBlackpool.

The cost for Dinner Bed andBreakfast per person per night is£27.50.

A hotel booking form is included withthis magazine. All bookings as soonas possible to the Secretary and notdirect to the hotel, a deposit of £20per person with the booking. Fullpayment due by the end of March.

Evening Caberet is a feature at the‘Parisienne’. All members are invitedto come to the hotel during theevening of the 24th April starting at20.00 hrs to meet for our usual socialgathering and enjoy the Caberet.

Nominations and Proposalsfor consideration at theConference & AGM 2010

Nominations

Nominations for Officers andTrustees must be received by theSecretary, on the correct form at least21 days before the AGM , each formmust be signed by the nominee,proposer and seconder, all of whommust be fully paid - up members ofthe Association. ( Forms availablefrom the Secretary)

Proposals

Proposals for discussion at the AGMmust be submitted in writing, andreceived by the secretary at least 21days before the AGM..

It is required that the motion iscompleted with the name,membership number, and signatureof both the proposer and seconder.

The proposer must also be presentat the AGM in order that they maypresent the motion to the meeting.

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The Parisienne HotelBlackpool

240 - 244 North Promenade, Blackpool, FY11RZ01253 313414 Ext 2076

E Mail: lizevedon@tiffanyshotel.co.ukwww.parisiennehotel.com

Seafront LocationCar/Coach ParkNightly CaberetPorterage Service

65 Ensuite bedrooms Choice MenusLift to all floorsSpecial Diets Catered For

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  Open all year     

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Don James and his wife Christinebegan arranging the BNTVApresence at the Field ofRemembrance at WestminsterAbbey in 1996.

Every year the BNTVA plot istended by Don with great care andreverence. He maintains a list ofall members of the BNTVA whohave passed away, and ensuresthat their names are entered on thepoppy crosses.

The attendance at the opening ofthe Field of Remembrance isbecoming smaller as each yearpasses. In 2009 only a handful ofmembers were able to attend.

BNTVA Group in the 1990’s

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What is it to be a volunteer?

I wish to thank John Lowe for allhis help in my research, and for

getting me involved in theBNTVA. I am very aware thatJohn has spent a considerableamount of time travelling thecountry to further the aims of theBNTVA. I hope now he can enjoya peaceful retirement.

2005 was the year of the volunteer– it brought a smile to my face, as Ihad by then been a volunteer fornearly ten years.

A volunteer according to theCambridge online dictionary is:

“to offer to do something that youdo not have to do, often withouthaving been asked to do it and orwithout expecting payment.” In2010, I face the wonderfulprospect of being a volunteer forfifteen years as a gymnastics coach,and now nearly four years with theBNTVA. I know four years ofvolunteering my time for theBNTVA is merely a honeymoonperiod compared to you asveterans and your families.

However, people I meet often lookat me with a telling look and ask,

“What do I get out of all myvolunteering”? It works in many

ways. For gymnastics it is the joysof seeing a child reach theirpotential, even if their potential isto be able to walk on a beamwithout falling over. Medals ofcourse are a bonus, as everygymnast wants one! But knowingyou have helped in someway is areward in itself. The reward is alsoto be respected by the gymnasts Icoach – in a nutshell, I motivatethe gymnasts and they motivateme. I also consider myself veryfortunate to have the opportunityto work with equally dedicatedvolunteer coaches who freely giveup their time to benefit thecommunity.

In regards to volunteering for theBNTVA, the benefits to me arejust as rewarding, if not more so: Iam part of an establishedorganisation who dedicates itselfto the welfare and remembrance ofveterans who took part in the ColdWar, witnessing atomic andhydrogen detonations – a trulyheroic act, which will hopefully,never have to be repeated. Anorganisation who wants to ensurethat the heroic deeds of nucleartest veterans are never forgotten.An organisation who also dedicatesitself to the welfare of nuclear testveterans’ families.

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As a historian I have been very luckyin being in contact with veterans whohave brilliant memories, and whohave researched my subject area – somy reward is also knowledge.

For my Masters thesis I researchedthe BNTVA’s early humblebeginnings, and over the years, Ihave watched this organisation grow,despite many bumps on the way.

In the last few years the BNTVA hasachieved so much, particularly inregards to obtaining charity status.

It is the dedication of fellowvolunteers that keeps the BNTVAgoing.

Volunteers, who often put their timeto the BNTVA above and beyond thequality time they could spend withtheir loved ones.

So, please spare a thought at theAGM, for your fellow comrades whoare trustees: Jeff Liddiatt, DerekHeaps, Bob Smith, Doug Hern,Trevor Butler; Don James andNicholas Frayling, who give such alot without ever expecting a thankyou— the same can be said for NigelHeaps, Carol Longden and IanGreenhalgh, and who will continue todo so willingly.

We all must play our part — toparaphrase the late John F Kennedy:

ask not what the BNTVA can do for

you, but what can you do for theBNTVA?

Tracey Morris MA, BA hons.BNTVA Trustee

RAFFLE/TOMBOLAWe raise funds to cover the cost of theAGM /Conference through the raffle.

Please could everyone sort out theirunwanted Christmas/Birthdaypresents or gifts; gift vouchers.

You could also sort out your drinkscabinet and bring them along to theAGM.

If we have enough prizes we will alsorun a tombola .

We would like to see as many ofveterans and their families as possiblehaving a chance to win a decent prize.

If you cannot attend the AGM andwould still like to donate a raffle prizeplease contact the Secretary or me(details at the end of the magazine)

Do you know of, or have contact with,a company willing to donate a raffleprize?

Let’s work to make this the biggestraffle yet - its for a brilliant cause!!

Tracey Morris

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Letter to the Association and theEditorHello Sirs

I am a 44-year old man living in theUK. I have just read a book called'The Call Up ' which is a fascinatinghistory of National Service in thiscountry. A section near the end of thebook describes how some servicemenwere deployed at the sites of theBritish nuclear testing in Australiaand the Pacific, detailing the Britishgovernment's callous disregard for thesafety of the personnel, and some ofthe alleged health problems thatresulted.

I just wanted to say I am horrified andsickened by the cavalier attitude ofthe British government. I thought thissort of abuse only went on in placeslike China, North Korea, or Burmabut sadly not. I feel ashamed to beBritish.

I send my sincere good wishes to allthe veterans of those nuclear tests andto their families. I haven't got anymore to say except that I am stunned,and I stand in solidarity with you all.

Best wishesPhil Hadley,Hertfordshire

Dear JeffThank you for our chat yesterday.You mentioned that there are othermembers of the BNTVA in theMaidstone and Chatham area.

If any would like to get in contactwith me, my telephone number is01795 428942.

Perhaps we could organise a gettogether .C F Barker.

News from around the UK

Roddy Moffat writes from Stornowayon the Isle of Lewis.

I carry the BNTVA Scotland Standardat many ceremonies around the Island.A special one is at the RAF Memorialoutside Stornoway Airport, whichwas used by the RAF for operationsin WW2. I also attend theremembrance parade at the villagememorial and the BNTVA memorial.The wreaths from the villagememorial are placed on the BNTVAmemorial after the service.

Marilyn Hall from the East Midlandswrites — Just a quick note to tell youthat we are still meeting in the EastMidlands, although not regularly.

One of our members Fred Southwoodhas had a book published about hisyears in the RAF Police entitled “TheWandering Snowdrop” If anyonewould like a copy please contact Fredon 01572 737443

Norman Aplin from Portsmouthwrites — I write to tell you about thefuneral of Dermot Swaine. His funeralwas held in Portsmouth in October

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Portsmouth Cathedral October 2009

Stornoway Parade November 2009

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2009. By request of his widowBobbie, in lieu of flowers, donationsshould be given to the newly formedBNTVA Charity, £200 was raised.Maybe in his death Dermot has shownthe way for us all to continue tosupport BNTVA with a legacy.

We still meet monthly at the Ex-Serviceman’s Club in Fratton, and ourstandard bearer regularly representsthe BNTVA at local parades (hekeeps in practice as a lollypop man)Some of us are looking forward toattending the AGM.

Where are they NowRon Taylor is looking for all thosewho were in main camp stores 73Christmas Island Squadron 1958. Heremembers some names, but ‘AnnoDomini’ has taken its toll. GerryWoods Bridgend, Jimmy Mackie -Kikcaldy, Anthony Judge - Yorkshire,and Tony Thurman electricalstoreman, unit CO Captain Rawlings(I think)

Ron Taylor 0191 4147886

How can I contact some of mybuddies who were on Xmas Islandwith me in 1958 during H bombtesting?E & M troop73 (xmas island sqn) RERegardsKeith WalmsleyTel 01772 722853Mob 07775 584026

After the Island

After being released from militaryservice in October 1959. I

resumed my occupation as a quantitysurveyor and after a few years I leftmy job to ‘go it alone’.

At first I was very busy but it wasn’tto last. The economic downturn ofthe late 60’s and early 70’s badlyaffected the building industry.

To fill my time I decided to write abook about Christmas Island and ionparticular of the nuclear testing thattook place. However work improvedso unfortunately the book was neverfinished, from the research I’dundertaken it was going to be veryrevealing.

After witnessing the testing of fivenuclear devices things went badlywrong with my health and early in1959 I was brought back to the UKfor an operation at Millfield Hospital.

I was discharged on medical groundswith a pension.

After a series of heart attacks and skincancer, I am still around to count myblessings. After all I am 75, thanks toLady Luck?

Tony JudgeEx 73 Christmas Island Squadron

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Dear SecretaryI have never been much good atcomposing letters and I find now atthe age of 81, it is even moredifficult. Dates are particularlydifficult. I think we left Heathrow inMarch 1958.The first thing that comes to mind is,when we tried to buy some cigaretteson the aircraft we were told that theywere locked in the hold.On arrival at Idlewild Airport thesmokers amongst us immediatelylooked for cigarettes. Here I had thepleasure of meeting Pat Boone and hiswife.

Our next stop was San Francisco acoach had been laid on for a city tourbut two SNCO’s and I hired a cab andended up in the Three Veterans Bar,we were late back to the airport!

Hawaii next stop, then on to theIsland as Moonies. I was SNCO incharge of the Flying Clothing Section.

Having been present at all the 1958tests. It was welcome news when Iheard we were coming home on theSS captain Cook.

Harry Spires marked with X

SS Captain Cook

Flying Clothing Section 1958

X

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The following letter was published inThe East Anglian times February 202010

Dear Editor,

While based at RAF Honington in1956, which was then an airfield forCanberra bombers, I got mymarching orders for Christmas Islandin the Pacific Ocean to take part inthe nuclear tests.

At Southampton about 24 of us RAFchaps, a large number of armypersonnel and a few Royal Marinesboarded the SS Charlton Star, a trampsteamer being used as a troop ship,and on it’s last voyage. There was noairfield on the island at that time.

We'd only been on board a couple ofhours when the Senior MilitaryOfficer made us all disembark tonearby service camps, as the ship wasinfested with bed bugs andcockroaches. The ship was thenfumigated, which took the rest of theday, and we were then allowed onboard the next day and sailed twentyfour hours late.

Our first port of call was the Azores,and as the ship rolled terribly andthere was a smell of diesel oilthroughout the lower decks, many ofus were violently sea sick, myselfincluded.

The crew comprised of Asians in theengine room,

and Greeks on the upper decks, andthe food was terrible.As we approached the Caribbean wewere told to sunbathe in stages: halfan hour for two days, an hour the nexttwo days, etc., until we wereacclimatised.

Of course some of the chaps said "wedon't burn, we always go brown". Theresult was many of them sufferedsevere burns and were hospitalised inthe ship's sick bay.

We sailed through Panama Canal andthen made our way to Honolulu in theHawaiian Islands. We were given 24hours ashore, we first made our wayto restaurants. A pound was worththree dollars then so we were quitewell off, and being regulars our paywas much better than NationalService pay.

There were many restaurants offering"eat as much as you like for a dollar."As we were all pretty hungry after theawful food on the ship, we soonnearly cleared the restaurants of allthey had to eat. The food on offer wasonly what we'd seen in Americanfilms at the time, large steaks andexotic fruits, etc.

It took about a week to sail fromHonolulu to Christmas Island, andthere being no docks we anchored outat sea and the Royal Marines cameout in landing craft to transfer us fromthe ship to the beach.

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With waves about twenty feet high,we had to wait until the landing craftcame up on the top of a wave andjump down with our kit. If we missedthe timing it was a nasty drop!

I spent about two years on the island,by which time a runway had beenconstructed, so we were able to boardtransport planes to make our wayhome via Honolulu, San Francisco,Chicago and New York, spendingabout a day at each place sight-seeing.

Although we appeared as brown as aberry, after our first hot shower muchof the suntan washed off.

There was no hot or fresh water on theisland for washing and showering,and with windy days blowing coraldust into the pores of our skin, afterwashing in sea water for all that timemuch of the apparent sun burn wasfalse!

Roger Fleming,Alphamstone.

SS Charlton Star

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National ChairmanNigel Heaps8 Castle HillCastle DonningtonDerbyshireDE74 2LDTel: 0115 7140768Skype nigel.heapsEmail: chairman @bntva.com

National Vice ChairmanDerek Heaps4 Bakewell DriveCastle DonningtonDerbyDE74 2NFTel:/Fax: 0133 281 1429email derek.heaps@homecall.co.uk

National SecretaryJeff Liddiatt13 Wetlands LanePortisheadBristolBS20 6RATel 01275 848965e-mail: secretary@bntva.com

National Treasurer(PHONE ONLY BETWEEN 6.00 – 8.00 pm)Mrs Carol Longden2 Fossland View,Middlecroft DriveStrensallYork YO32 5RHTel 01904 492 875

National Membership SecretaryMembership fees , Data ControllerBob Smith,11 Holyknowe CrescentLennoxtownGlasgowG66 7DYTel: 01360 311 300email: membership@bntva.com

ChaplainThe Very Revd Nicholas Frayling BA, LLDDean of ChichesterThe Deanery,Canon Lane,Chichester West SussexPO19 1PXemail dean@chichestercathedral.org.uk

BNTVA SolicitorIan Greenhalgh LLBOlympic HouseMaple Court Maple ViewSkelmersdaleWN8 9TWTel: 0333 200 5200email ian.greenhalgh@greenhalghs.net

Shop ManagerTrevor Butler75 Woldcarr RoadHullHumbersideHU3 6TRTel: 01482 571 431 Fax: 01482 569 241

Media and Archive contactDoug Hern36 Bell LaneMoultonSpaldingPE12 6PHTel 01406 371134email doughern@tiscali.co.uk

Mrs Tracey Morris79 Mill RoadDealKentCT14 9BATel: 01304 364726e mail tm269@st-andrews.ac.uk

BNTVA Contact detailsRegistered Charity Number 1131134

Please do not telephone any of the Outside the following hoursNot Before 09.00 or after 20.00

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BNTVA Shop Window

BNTVA SHOP MANAGERTrevor Butler75 Woldcarr RoadHullHumbersideHU3 6TRTel: 01482 571 431 Fax: 01482 569 241

BadgesCar 3.00

Blazer 12.00 Lapel 3.00Shirts Small 12.50 Medium 12.50 Large 12.50 Ex Large 12.50Ties BNTVA 7.50 Grapple 9.50Fleece 22.00Baseball Caps Blue only 11.00Key Fobs 3.00Cuff links (pair) 5.50Tie PinsBlue SOLD OUT discontinued BNTVA 3.50Lapel Badges BNTVA 3.00Scarf woollen BNTVA 12.00Scarf silk effect BNTVA 13.00Engraved Tankard 20.00All prices include Post & Packing

London Events OrganiserDon JamesFlat 8a,Peabody Estate,Abbey Orchard Street,WestminsterLondonSW1 2LJTel 0207 799 6054

CAMPAIGN Editor and Web ManagerAs Secretary

National Standard BearerTerry Washington ‘Little Hey’8 Butley CloseTytheringtonMacclesfieldSK10 2HLTel: 01625 425 970

Widows’s ContactMavis Gardner30 Link RoadAnsteyLeicesterLE7 7BYTel:/Fax: 01162 364 737

G2+ CommitteeSecretary Janet BirdMembers/AdvisorsTracey Morris Nigel Heaps Owen StevensCarol Longden

Campaign magazine is published by the British Nuclear TestsVeterans Association. Editor: Jeff Liddiatt, 13 Wetlands Lane,Portishead, Bristol BS20 6RA. Tel: 01275 848965. Next issue copyDeadline 22 May 2010. BNTVA is not an anti-nuclear or an anti-warassociation. All opinions, views and quotations do not representofficial BNTVA policy and are the sole responsibility of the writer.Photographs and images – Copyright of owner acknowledged.Campaign cannot guarantee total accuracy for any reproduction ofletters / articles / transcripts. BNTVA is a ‘not for profit’ voluntaryAssociation supporting past and present UK Nuclear Test CombinedService Veterans and their families.

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For sale:RAF Balloon Unit Blazer BadgeNever used.Quality Gold Wire £25.00 free p/p Revd John Walden11 Hemmings CloseNorwich NR5 9EH

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This important medal is a joint commission between the Australian and British Nuclear VeteransAssociations providing medallic recognition to veterans who served in nuclear testsite locations and supporting bases in Australia and the Pacific between 1952 and 1967.Next of kin or direct descendants can also apply.

The obverse of the medal depicts the nuclear symbol surrounded by the words 'British NuclearWeapons Tests in Australia & Pacific' and the reverse dramatically features a detonation cloud andthe words 'For Service in Radioactive Areas 1952-1967'. The ribbon is white on theedges representing the blinding white flash that comes before the fireball and then subsidesto the fireball which has the reddish fire in the centre and becomes the familiar mushroom shape.An easy care 100% polyester navy blue tie has been tastefully designed with stripes matching theribbon colours and bears an authenticating label on the reverse.

For further information and/oran application form contactAward Productions Ltd, (Dept. NNL)PO Box 300, Shrewsbury SY5 6WP, U.K.Tel: 01952 510053Fax: 01952 510765E-mail: award@crown-lane.co.uk

www.awardmedals.com

The Australian Nuclear VeteransAssociation and the British NuclearTests Veterans Association are the

beneficiaries of this project.