N IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE
Campaign
? The Journal of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association www.bntva.com 1
The Chairman of the North Tyneside Veterans Committee is Major Bill Campbell who is a Nuclear Veteran as are several of the Committee members including our Chairman John Lowe ( left of centre back row).
Betty Dannatt with Les Gosling on the occasion of her 91st Birthday 6 January 2009 2
No doubt the Prime Minister is fully preoccupied with the economic crisis facing our country – indeed, I hope he is! But it is more than disappointing that this reply should have been given at the very moment when a High Court Judge was about to begin the long awaited hearing for which the Association has campaigned. The Chaplain writes about: Some of our members have been concerned about these matters for more than 25 years, and I have been ike many members of the Association, and others concerned preaching on the subject for 21 years. about issues of justice and fairness, I In my ministry, I am constantly added my name to the recent petition inspired by the persistence of faith: people who believe in God and put to the Prime Minister on the subject into practice what they see as the of genetic damage to children, following their parents’ participation consequences of that belief – what Christians call the building of the in Britain’s Nuclear Weapons Kingdom of God. ‘All we seek is Programme. justice’, is not the quite the same thing, but pretty closely related. In due course I received the reply from 10 Downing Street. It was As an American Evangelist put it, disappointing to read the same rather more directly than I could, statements that have become all too ‘Hang on in there folks! You may yet familiar: be surprised’. ‘…Evidence to date has not demonstrated a general link between ill-health and Nicholas Frayling participation in the tests’… Chichester Cathedral Nuclear Test Veterans…’ received a negligible dose of radiation’ etc.
THE VIRTUE OF PERSISTENCE
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Atomic Testing Trial: Update The trial began on Wednesday 21st January with the Honourable Mr Justice Foskett the presiding Judge. As you know the barristers representing the Claimants were Benjamin Browne QC, Mark James and Catherine Foster. The Defendant’s team of around six counsel was led by Charles Gibson QC. A large number of Claimants attended the opening of the case and although the case was taking place in the largest Court room in the High Court in London, it was standing room only. There was very substantial international media interest.
If he decides that the claims are out of of time, but he is willing to exercise his discretion to extend time, he will permit some or all of the claims to continue.
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If he decides that some or all of the Claimants are out of time, and he is not willing to use his discretion to extend time, the Defendant’s limitation defence will succeed and all of those claims will be struck out.
On the first day Mr Browne opened the case for the Claimants, that is explained to the Judge what the claim is about and giving an overview of the law to be considered. The second day was spent with Mr Gibson opening the case for the MoD, when he explained the Defendant’s arguments on limitation to the Judge.
The purpose of the hearing was for ‘the limitation trial’. This came about because the Ministry of Defence served a defence, claiming that the Claimants had sufficient knowledge of the issues giving rise to their claims (according to a legal definition within the Limitation Act) before December 2001, and the claims are therefore ‘out of time’ and cannot proceed. The Judge has to decide if the claims are ‘too late’, or if he should exercise his discretion to extend the time in which proceedings can be brought. ○
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The Lead Cases Claimants then gave their evidence and were cross examined, concluding on 29th January. Following the evidence the Judge ordered a short break to enable both legal teams to prepare closing submissions. There was a considerable amount of work done by both legal teams to summarise the evidence that had been heard, and to explain the relationship between the facts, the evidence and the law, and how this should all be interpreted by If the Judge decides that some or the Judge. Written submissions of all of the Claimants did not have several hundred pages were prepared the necessary ‘knowledge’ before and then the two leading barristers December 2001 then the claims addressed the Judge in open Court on are not out of time and can the case for each side. continue. 4
The Judge has previously indicated that he hoped to give his judgment on or about 20th February. Unfortunately that is not going to be possible, for the reasons explained by Mr Justice Foskett at the end of the hearing. The full text of what he said, taken from the Court transcript, is set out below so that you understand the reason for the slight delay.
MR JUSTICE FOSKETT: “Thank you very much. I shall obviously look at all that in due course. No need to stand up, Mr Browne. Do sit down. Just a few general observations before I leave the court. I am very grateful to a large number of people for continuing their interest in this case over the last few weeks. Perhaps I can just address them for a few moments. Those of you who have been here will have realised that I have been fortunate enough, if "fortunate" is the right word, to have had some extremely able legal submissions from two very distinguished counsel. I shall spare their blushes by allowing them to remain seated. They have also had the great advantage of some extremely able and distinguished teams behind them, not just junior counsel, but solicitors and others, and I am extremely grateful to everyone for everything that they have fed to me. I know how much hard work goes into these kinds of cases and how much emotional and physical effort goes into it on both sides. I am a team of one and so I am afraid from now on, although the buck stops with me, I have an awful lot to read,
re-read and mull over before being able to formulate a final judgment. I need to say that, so that everyone will understand that there is going to be quite some considerable delay before my decision is known. Counsel know that I have managed to set aside some time over the next couple of weeks to be able to make a start, but I think everybody will understand that this is a sufficiently difficult case that I am going to need longer than that in which to produce my final decision and I do, I am afraid, after that fortnight, have other judicial duties that I cannot avoid. So the bottom line of all this is that noone should expect anything before Easter, and I will do my best to do things as quickly as I can because I appreciate the public interest in the case. I appreciate the interests of both sides in the litigation, but for me to do justice to it is going to take a little while. Having said it will not be until after Easter does not mean to say it will be immediately after Easter. I am afraid you will have to leave it to me to deal with things as quickly as I can. So I felt I ought to say that to everyone. As I say, I am grateful to everyone for their attention. I hope people will not have misunderstood the odd moments of humour that there have been during the course of the case. I can assure you that I take the case extremely seriously, from both sides' points of view, and humour helps us along sometimes. With a number of former servicemen going into the witness-box, it was pretty unlikely we would get away without the odd laugh or two somewhere along the way. 5
I am grateful to the court staff for their assistance during the course of this, and particularly the usher, whom I gather has been keeping you very much under control. Don't stop typing, please, but I am extremely grateful to the LiveNote team for the excellent work they have done. How they coped with Mr Gibson reading that passage about the oranges and Mr Browne reading out Mr Gibson's cross-examination and Mr Hart, I really don't know, but you did a magnificent job and I shall look forward to reading both parts of it again in due course. My final thanks to Mr MacLean for coming along and helping me with the bundles. It saved an enormous amount of time and certainly saved me a lot of legwork. So, to everyone, thank you, and you will receive the judgment in due course”
It is impossible for us to guess what decisions the Judge will come to; we just have to wait. We will send out a further bulletin with details of the Court’s judgment as soon as we receive it, but for the reasons set out by Mr Justice Foskett it will be many weeks, if not months, before he gives his judgment. It would be inappropriate if we were to fail to give credit to an amazing team of people who have worked on this case during the past years at Rosenblatt. The ‘Vet’s Team’ as it is known is a group of talented and dedicated people, who have worked tirelessly, and on many occasions, ‘around the clock’ in recent weeks
preparing for the trial. Claimants live all over the World, so members of the team have had to work through the night on occasions to call people in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. Two members of the team spent six weeks in Fiji seeing all the Fijian Claimants – it was very hard work and certainly no holiday!! Claiments will have spoken to many members of the team, but there are many more working on research, reading and analysing the 250,000 pages of documents disclosed by the MoD; liaising with our experts; taking witness statements; compiling and analysing medical records; maintaining the Group Register; dealing with the media; answering questions from clients; considering legal issues and a whole host of other tasks including filing!! We, as the partners in Rosenblatt responsible for running this case, but also on behalf of all veteran claimants, their representatives and families, owe a debt of gratitude to all members of this team, without whose efforts with those of the three instructed counsel (Benjamin Browne QC, Mark James and Catherine Foster), the presentation of the case before the court would not have been possible. If you have any questions about any matters we have dealt with in this bulletin of the case in general please do not hesitate to contact us Clive Hyer & Neil Sampson Rosenblatt Solicitors 9-13 St Andrew Street London EC4A 3AF Tel: +44 (0) 20 7955 0880 info@rosenblatt-law.co.uk
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Chairman’s report
be advised as to the proposals for the setting up of a study.
The start of 2009 is proving to be most frustrating.
This proved to be a most First, with everybody having made the necessary arrangements to ensure unsatisfactory meeting, with no their attendance at the High Court for proposals being made. the opening session of the limitation We were however promised a further hearing on the 19th January, with very meeting at which she proposed to short notice, everything was put back have some academics attend, and at to the 21st January. So that everybody which our own advisors would be in had to cancel their travel attendance. arrangements and hotel accommodation and rebook. It was anticipated that this meeting would take place in January of this Although we were advised that year. Judgement could be expected on or before the 20th February, that is not At the time of writing (11th February) now the case and we must hold our there is no indication of the date for patience for a little while longer. any such meeting to taking place. Published in the last edition of ‘CAMPAIGN’ was a letter which I had received from Kevan Jones MP, the Minister for Veterans, in which he advised that his officials were to take expert advice on study design, methodology, numbers, likely time course etc, for a study looking at the way the genetic legacy affects the health of Nuclear Test Veterans Children and Grandchildren.
I have protested to the Minister and several supportive MPs have tabled questions in parliament. We will keep up the pressure however. Once again, patience must be our virtue. John Lowe
On the 4th December representatives from the Association, together with John Baron MP, met with Dr. Anne Braidwood CBE (Medical Adviser to the MoD), in order to, as we thought, 7
increases in congenital disability or ill-health among the offspring of the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Petition Reply Those of you who signed the petition on the No 10 web site should have received the formal reply, for those of you who did not, or did not sign the petition. This is the Government reply sent out by the No 10 web site.
There is, therefore, no reason to believe that nuclear test veterans, who in contrast with the Japanese survivors generally received negligible doses of radiation, should have experienced subsequent The Government has a responsibility increased rates of congenital or other to investigate all new research disorders among their offspring. The regarding the possibility of any generally accepted position on the harmful health effects of the nuclear part of most medically qualified tests we have carried out in the past. authorities worldwide is that the The Government has, therefore, literature does not suggest that studied the most recent scientific exposure to ionising radiation in evidence from Massey University New Zealand on genetic damage in a parents results in congenital abnormalities in the first generation of group of Royal New Zealand Navy participants in the British nuclear tests. offspring. The study report expressly states that its findings throw no light on health effects. The wider published peerreviewed epidemiological evidence to date has not demonstrated a general link between ill-health and participation in the tests.
The Government is, however, determined to address the ongoing concerns of nuclear test veterans about possible genetic damage experienced by their children. Kevan Jones had a constructive meeting with the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) in late October 2008 to discuss the possibility of a new MOD study into health issues, particularly in relation to offspring.
The Government recognises nuclear test veterans’ fears that their children/grandchildren are at a raised relative risk of suffering from genetic The MOD hopes to make an abnormalities as a consequence of their participation in the UK’s nuclear announcement in early 2009. testing programme. The available http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page18030 peer-reviewed evidence, however, does not currently support that concern. High-quality international research has not demonstrated 8
respondents for their valuable time.
G2+ page Dear Veterans, Thank you so far for passing on details of the G2+ Committee's (formerly known as the Children's Sub-Committee) letter and questionnaire, so far we have approximately 70 responses.
Best wishes, Tracey Morris G2+ committee Dear veterans As Tracey has said in her piece, the response from the questionnaire has been excellent.
As the questionnaire is to gather the The impression that I am getting is views of the children and that everybody thinks that more grandchildren' views, so we at the action should be taken with regards to G2+ Committee can be more the children. representative, the committee would be grateful if you could continue to We are currently waiting for the spread the word. To clear up any decision to come from the High Court misunderstandings adoptee's are on how the claims for the veterans are thoroughly encouraged to participate. going to proceed, and once that An interim report will be published at decision comes back, we will be in a the AGM. Personal details such as stronger position to fight for the names, addresses etc. will remain in children. This does not mean that if the strictest of confidence, unless we do not get the right decision from permission is granted for such details court that we stop fighting, it just to be passed on. Each respondent will makes us more determined. be sent a copy of the report either by email, or by post where an email The Government response to the address is not provided. petition was pathetic. My own personal view is of disgust that they The G2+ Questionnaire can still be won’t even look into our health issues. found on the BNTVA website on the Just because it says in a report that Children's Sub-Committee link at the there is no link, does not prove that bottom of the BNTVA homepage our illnesses are not linked. http://www.bntva.com/. Details of where to send the questionnaire, I hope that one day soon, we prove either by post or by email can also be beyond doubt that we are right and found. they are wrong - as usual! Again, thank you to the veterans who have already passed on the Martin Blackburn questionnaire, and many thanks to the Chairman G2+ committee 9
The following year (1992) Barton distributed vivid posters featuring two elders in red headbands, standing in front of Westminster, with the words “Take your Plutonium off our lands” Barton met with the Army Minister, Viscount Cranborne, who Barton presented with two bags full of red plutonium-tainted sand from Maralinga.
Congratulations To Martin and Leeanne Blackburn on the birth of their daughter Evelyn Louise on 28th December 2008. Her birth weight was 7lb 5oz
It took another two years for anything to happen. In 1994 the UK Government paid £20 million towards the clean up, and the next year 1995 the Australian Government paid almost £6 million towards compensation and clean up.
Archie Barton AM
Archie was awarded a Honorary Doctorate by the University of 24 March 1936 -18 October 2008 Adelaide, he was also awarded the Order of Australia (AM). hose of us who served at Maralinga will know the name of He passed away in Port Augusta (18 October 2008), a lonely man. He was Archie Barton, the leader of the laid to rest in Oak Valley, the home of Tjarutja people, the native the traditional owners he had long Australians who owned the land that championed. the Maralinga test range covered.
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Archie led the fight to have his peoples’ ancestral lands returned to them, and to have the land cleaned up, so they could live their lives in the traditional way. In 1991 the BBC made a documentary entitled “Secrets of the Sands”, which was seen as a breakthrough for the Tjarutja people. 10
Navy diver granted his final wish Torpedo scatters veteran's ashes onto sea-bed After more than 30 years in the Royal tribute that me and his friends could think of. Navy, Derick Redfern's dying wish was for his ashes to be scattered at sea. He had such a full life and career with Mr Redfern, a former secretary of the the Royal Navy." British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA), worked as a diver in the Navy. He died earlier this year, aged 71, at his home in Cornwall. His widow Ann asked the Navy to help with her husband's request, and Lieutenant Mark Northcote from the Southern Diving Unit obliged. He said: "Of course I agreed to the request. I mentioned to Ann that we were due to do a training exercise to explode a torpedo, and she thought that Mr Redfern would have loved the idea of his ashes being attached to it for the explosion.
Story reprinted with kind permission of the Editor of Legion Magazine
Ann Redfern tells us about Derick Derick Redfern 16. 02. 37 -30. 07. 07 One time BNTVA committee member, Secretary and Vice Chairman. Being born into a seafaring family on the banks of Poole Harbour, Derick's one ambition was always to join the Royal Navy and become one of Buster Crabbe's men.
After his father, a sea captain, was lost at sea in WW 11 he was sent to The "It is the first time I have ever done Royal Hospital School at Holbrook. anything like this. It was a wonderful He is one of very few men who would tribute to a fellow diver." speak in total praise of his time there. He took every opportunity to acquire Mrs Redfern watched the blast from skills for his chosen career, so that his the cliff top at a ceremony with a training year at HMS Ganges was a Royal Navy chaplain, and said it was "doddle". exactly what Mr Redfern would have wanted. His naval life was a mixture of world wide postings, and more training in "He was a wonderful character, larger underwater skills and explosives, with than life, and this was the most fitting a spell as a member of the Devonport
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Field Gun's Crew, which swept the board of all the trophies that year.
Whatever Derick put his mind to he would do it to his utmost. He soon After a varied career around the world, had his own company thriving, an executive fleet of luxury coaches and the posting to Christmas Island heavy goods vehicles. presented him with a rest! There were only light duties to perform, How do you give a fitting send off to namely to keep constant watch on the a man like Derick, who loved the sea bow doors of H M S Narvik as she and never liked being still in one ploughed her way across the Atlantic place for very long. When the and the Pacific. ( She was by then opportunity to have his ashes quite a rust bucket and bets had been scattered by controlled explosion was taken in the dockyard as to offered by a Naval whether she would actually Lieutenant who was make it to her destination.) an old boy of the Royal Hospital School, The information that he was and who is also a going to be part of the clearance diver, I Nuclear Test cohort was accepted the offer with only given to him, like great thankfulness. everyone else, when he was After a wait of some in mid ocean. weeks for all to be ready at the right It would be fair to say that moment - personnel, he enjoyed his time in the window in the weather Central Pacific, with his own private etc, Derick was given a spectacular cabin (as a member of Special Boats farewell a mile outside Plymouth he had privileges), and time to go breakwater. fishing and taking part in the "Regattas" etc. It was a beautiful scene. Sunshine, blue sky and water, and a magnificent It was after witnessing four of the white spume several meters high. detonations in 1958 that his health deteriorated and although he continued to be posted to other jobs, and eventually to shore based positions back in England, which included being on the Admiralty Interview Board and training cadets to sail at Dartmouth, he was invalided out of the navy before he was 26. This was a bitter blow.
Jeremy Clarkson in the Sunday Times remarked that Derick would now be forever part of the Gulf Stream. Where else would he want to be? AR
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Things you probably never knew A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. your mobile phone could do This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere Here are a few things that can be done safe. When your phone gets stolen, in times of grave emergencies. Your you can phone your service provider mobile phone can actually be a life and give them this code. They will saver or an emergency tool for then be able to block your handset, so survival. Check out the things that even if the thief changes the SIM card, you can do with it: your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone 1. Emergency back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing out of the coverage area of your mobile phones. mobile network, and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to 4. ATM - PIN Number Reversal establish the emergency number for Good to Know you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialled even if the keypad If you should ever be forced by a is locked. robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the 2. Hidden Battery Power police by entering your PIN # in reverse. For example, if your pin Imagine your mobile battery is very number is 1234, then you would put low. To activate, press the keys in 4321. The ATM system recognizes *3370# Your mobile will restart with that your PIN number is backwards this reserve and the instrument will from the ATM card you placed in the show a 50% increase in battery. This machine. The machine will still give reserve will get charged when you you the money you requested, but charge your mobile next time. unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to the 3. How to disable a STOLEN mobile location. phone? This information was recently To check your Mobile phone's serial broadcast on CTV by Crime Stoppers. number, key in the following digits on However it is seldom used because your phone: * # 0 6 # people just don't know about it. Denis Shaw 13
but it is not their remit to provide anything other than guidance to present the case. his has been a very quiet year The representative will provide some regarding Pensions and information if they have had some Arbitration tribunals. It may be that previous knowledge on the subject veterans are waiting to see the but not being medically trained, the outcome of the Limitation hearing? tribunal will want written expert I have had the four tribunals this year, medical evidence there may have been more, but they Derek Heaps have been represented by other organisations or private solicitors, so I am unaware of the outcome of these. War Pension applicants
BNTVA Tribunals 2008
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In the last issue of ‘Campaign’ the request was made that all nuclear veterans who had applied for a war pension regardless of the outcome should advise Doug Hern of their details, so a full database of all applicants could be drawn up. The response has been less than expected
PATs I have been involved with. Ÿ One has been listed three times for a hearing then withdrawn because of lack of time on the tribunals behalf. Ÿ Another has been postponed because the appellant is a witness in the litigation trial in London. Ÿ Another has been rejected which I was very surprised at because the veteran is suffering from CLL.
If you have not sent in your details please do so as soon as possible, so that progress can be made with this project. Details to Doug Hern please.
Ÿ The last one has been awarded a pension for cancer, he was present at the Maralinga tests in 1957.
Registered Charity Status During the past year the Association has been engaged in the process of applying for registered Charity Status.
So the league table reads Played 4 Won 1 Drawn 2 Lost 1. When applying for a tribunal, it is up to the appellant to provide as much information as possible to support the case. It is not enough just to say you were there. The main thing is medical evidence. The representative will help and guide you to present the case,
The negotiations with the Charity Commission has taken a long time. At last we are nearing the end of the road. To complete the process, details will be brought before the AGM .
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BNTVA
Convention and Annual General Meeting Saturday 25th April 2009 Paradise Room South Shore Blackpool at 13.30 hrs Doors open for registration at 13.00 hrs This is a most important meeting. Plans for the future of the Association will be discussed. It is a time for all members to have their say. Please make every effort to come. Evening Social with Professional Entertainment at 19.30 hrs 15
David Wainwright Vocal Entertainer
AGM Social Evening Star Line Up
Tony Roscoe Comedian
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Executive Committee
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The proposer must also be present at the AGM, in order that they may present the motion to the meeting.
ominations are invited for members who are prepared to serve on The Association’s Executive AGM Committee, in any capacity. The format of this years AGM has been changed. The formal business Nomination forms must be fully will be as short as possible giving completed with the name, membership number and signature of more time for discussion of future plans and the way forward for The the nominee, thus confirming their Association. willingness to stand for election, and the membership number and signature The reports from the Officers and of both the proposer and seconder. Executive Committee members will All signatories must be fully paid up be published in the AGM hand book, members of the Association, as per together with the Annual Accounts section 4e of the Constitution. Nominations must be received by the for 2008. secretary no later than 21 days before the AGM. In the event of there being After the formal business has been completed it is intended that the more than one candidate for all, or meeting will go into small syndicate any of the positions, an election will be held to determine the membership groups for detailed discussion of future plans and then reconvene for of the Executive Committee for next any decisions to be made. year. Nomination forms are available from the Administration Secretary
Resolutions
Voting Remember that only those members who present their 2009 membership card at the AGM will be able to vote.
Resolutions for discussion at the AGM must be submitted in writing, and received by the secretary no later than 21 days before the AGM.
Raffles prizes Please bring those unwanted Christmas and birthday presents and donate them for raffle prizes at the AGM.
It is required that the motion is completed with the name, membership number and signature of both the proposer and seconder. 17
4th &5th July 2009
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ony Stannage who served on Christmas Island, has for the past few years dedicated himself to raising funds for the ‘Children of Christmas Island’ to assist with their schooling and helping to build and facilitate schools on the Island.
Together with other veterans, from East Anglia he has secured a stand at the two day Royal Air Force Waddington International Military Air Show July 4th and 5th of this year. Polynesian dances will be performed by a group of Christmas Island dancers. There will be many items for sale including bric-a-brac. We hope to have signed memorabilia from football, rugby and darts associations. All proceeds will go to the Christmas Island Children's Fund.
As this is an International event it is requested that the BNTVA Standards are displayed. If your standard bearer is unable to attend this event, please send your Branch / National standard to Doug Hern by carrier. Standards will be returned to their branches via carrier after the event. We invite as many veterans as possible to come to this fine air show which promises to be one of the best ever, If anyone would like to support this cause please send donations to Tony Stannage C/0 Doug and Sandie Hern Many thanks in advance for your help and support N.B. Although the BNTVA are supporting this international event it is not organised by the BNTVA. All communications should be sent to Doug Hern.
Tony has worked tirelessly over the last few years and, with schools in Lincolnshire, has raised £5,000 to date. All proceeds from the stand will Rail customers who wish to visit the RAF Waddington Air Show will have go this fine cause the opportunity to purchase add-on Contact has been made with fares which includes admission & bus International Nuclear Veterans transfer to the Air Show from Lincoln Associations, and we hope that some station, from East Midlands Trains of these veterans will attend the show. and National Rail Enquiries.
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t's not often that this Association can say that we have a real insight into the workings of anything but thanks to Archie Ross of Burton on Trent we have an idea of the workings of the National Arboretum at Alrewas. Archie is a member of "friends of the Arboretum". He gives two days a week voluntarily to help there. He may be driving a golf buggy, taking people around the site, or working at the Information desk, but whatever he does he keeps the interests of this Association in the forefront of his mind. He varnishes our benches to keep them fresh, and he helps to tidy our site including replacing any shells that fall off the memorial. Of course we are not always sure that they have actually fallen of, or if a visitor fancies one of them.
Archie Ross and Bob Smith at Alrewas. This picture was taken in October, Archie met my wife and I there graciously giving up yet more of his time to do so.
In my humble opinion we are very lucky to have Archie at Alrewas to maintain our small plot and I take this opportunity to thank him for his work and his lovely wife Chris for all her support.
He is also available on the days he works to answer any questions asked about the memorial, and the test sites, which, he says, children are particularly interested in. We Bob Smith all know that very little is taught about what we did 50 years ago. John Lowe has given lectures at Manchester and that several others have done so elsewhere. 19
CHRISTMAS ISLAND WITH MOUNTAINS?LIVING IN TENERIFE Tenerife has hot weather, palm trees, and almost equal day and night, but that is where the similarity to Christmas Island ends. It is about 5 times the size of the Isle of Wight, and is the largest of the Canary Islands. At the last count there was a resident population of 850,000, making it the most populous of the Canary Islands. Tenerife has been described as "a continent in miniature", hot and dry in the south, lush and green in the north, with snow in the central mountainous area, which has the 3700 meter mount Teide, the highest mountain on Spanish territory. It is claimed that anything which grows anywhere in the world will grow on Tenerife. Summer temperatures in the south are normally between 25 and 30c, although Tenerife is 800 miles south of mainland Spain, its not nearly as hot in summer, due to being surrounded by the cool Atlantic. Winters are mild, rain in the south is rare. Sometimes it may not rain for several months, but it can bucket down when it does. Thanks to its mountains, unlike many islands Tenerife has abundant natural water so does not need to rely on desalination, as some neighbouring islands do, which is just as well when you consider the number of golf courses.
Tenerife´s capital is Santa Cruz, the second largest city in the Canaries, and well worth a visit if you come on holiday here. (the largest city being Las Palmas on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria) Having associate membership of the EU Tenerife has the euro as its currency which is not good at present if your income is in sterling, There are no heating bills, no council tax, water can be heated by a solar panel, and you can get a pint of beer for 1.5€. If you smoke, cigarettes too are much cheaper. Due to the warm climate less clothing and laundry are necessary and one tends to eat less, another saving. Diesel fuel is around 70 cents a litre, with petrol a little dearer at 75 cents. Road tax on a small car can be as low as 16€ a year My wife and I have lived full time in the south of Tenerife for over 6 years, 15 miles east of Playa De Las Americas. The main benefits are the weather, lower living costs, and we believe it is safer than the UK, as there appears to be less crime. The downsides are that to some extent you cut yourselves off from family and friends, you may miss the English countryside, the language can be a problem, and the bureaucracy can drive you mad!. Bob Darkin.
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In memory of I will be joined by Simon. I ask you Robert Senior Blackwell 1936-2007 to kindly sponsor this endeavour. I would like to try to make a difference My father died just over a year ago. to those that survive. The court case Many of the brave men who served could take years and I hope to be able with my father developed similar to make some little provision for them illnesses. Some have died; others are in the meantime. now very ill. They are not the only victims - the effects of radiation has Sponsorship starts at £25.00 for been passed on through the completion of the triathlon. I’m generations. Over several years we asking you to dig deep, so if you can have been campaigning for some spare more I would be hugely grateful. recognition for the servicemen who have suffered. If you would like further information please call Rachel on: 07971 212 034. While we take the fight to the MOD at the high court, I am attempting to Many thanks raise funds, and am embarking on a Rachel huge fund raising exercise - starting Rachel Blackwell with a Triathlon! This will be in 9 Carisbrooke Drive memory of my father, by generating money for the servicemen that are still Mapperley Park Nottingham alive. I have started training and it’s NG3 5DS now all systems go! A 400m Swim, 20k bike ride and 5k run, all at Cheques made payable Southwell. This will be on Sunday to R Blackwell 24 May.
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Letter to the editor Dear Jeff
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platform that the weapon had been stood on a few minutes earlier. We occasionally looked up at the weapon, hoping that none of the boffin's would lean on the wrong button until we had got out of the way.
read with interest the letter from Bob Darkin. I too did my National Service in the Balloon Unit based in At the evacuation of the site I had the big airship hangers at RAF been detailed to drive one of the Cardington. I went out to Christmas lorries a Leyland Hippo, with a Island with the first party in June balloon winch mounted on it. All the 1958 and was in Sgt. Ron Clarke’s team preparing for the balloon bursts, other chaps had left the site except for one of the Scammel tractors, as I tried and camped at ‘B’ site. I am sorry to start the Hippo the battery had gone Bob but I can’t put a face to your flat and would not turn the engine name, but that is no way unusual over. I was towed to what we then these days. considered safety. Our job was to suspend the weapon In all, I enjoyed my National Service under the stack of balloons and then dash down the road a few miles while and Christmas Island added the weapon was detonated. Ours was excitement to what could have been a quite a small bomb, but nevertheless, boring two years. However what price did we pay? larger than those dropped on Japan. For the next 11 days we worked at ground zero of the first balloon bomb, which three weeks earlier had been detonated only 1500 feet above the spot where we were working. If it was our turn to do picket duty, (topping up the gas in the balloons in the cool of the evening) we had to sleep on the site in a small tent, all the time, of course, in our protective clothing of shorts, sandals, and a hat. It was my group who were given the duty of suspending the final bomb. We paid out the cables and tethered them off, disconnected the winches, then off for a cup of tea from an urn which was standing on the steel
I had to retire in 1996 with heart problems, which are getting worse. Nevertheless I am still here and keep taking the tablets. Best wishes John Lycett (SAC) PS isn’t it odd that whatever medical problems you have, none of them could possibly be caused by sitting with your back to four Nuclear Weapons. John sent in a photo of the balloon unit but unfortunately it did not scan well enough to include in the magazine. Ed
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In particular to the landlord of the Three Tuns at Eggleston. he Portsmouth group visited Betty Dannatt in her rest home where Now for Victor Meldrew mode; she lives, to mark the celebration of “I don’t believe it” surprising though her 91st birthday. Betty was the it may seem someone sent their treasurer of the Portsmouth Branch. In the picture (inside front cover) she membership fee to Ken Roberts address. Ken died four year ago, I is seen seated, with Les Gosling the hope they were not expecting an past chairman of the Portsmouth answer. Ken’s wife always sent on Branch. Betty is still a full member of the Association and looks forward any mail, but she died two years ago. to receiving the magazine, so that she The lady who now lives in the house is very concerned that mail for the can keep up to date. Many Happy BNTVA is still being sent to her Returns Betty from us all. address. Five members of the Portsmouth Please please please read the group were pleased to be able to travel to London for the opening day magazine. The reason for a Membership Secretary is to reduce of the High Court Limitation trial. some of the burden on the Treasurer. Sending fees to the wrong person and even the wrong address only adds to Bob’s column the work and the expense of the Association. Likewise sending the My sincere thanks to all those incorrect amount adds to the work members who were timely with their load. memberships fees. It allows the
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Association to forecast for the next year. The Executive Committee wish to thank all those who gave extra cash, we appreciate your generosity. In particular I would like to thank the Willard family for the donation gathered at John’s funeral. For you all to think of the Association at such a time means a lot to me personally.
I have to report that two of our Scottish members have passed away Willie Scott and Graham Anderson. Please remember all those ladies who have sadly lost their husbands or partners in the last year. Please be aware that each of them will be sorely missed.
My thanks to all who tell our story at various locations around the country, Welcome back to the former members and collect money for the Association. and hello to the new ones. Bob Smith - Membership Secretary 23
BNTVA Officers 2008/9 & Executive Committee Please do not telephone any of the Officers or Executive Committee members Outside the following hours
Before 9.00 am and after 8.00 pm CHAIRMAN John G Lowe 7 Bedale Drive Whitley Bay Tyne & Wear NE25 8UR Tel: 0191 252 7931
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY (for mailing addresses and Membership fee) Bob Smith, 11 Holyknowe Crescent Lennoxtown Glasgow G66 7DY
VICE-CHAIRMAN & TRIBUNAL OFFICER Derek Heaps 4 Bakewell Drive Castle Donnington Derby DE74 2NF Tel:/Fax: 0133 281 1429
WIDOW’S REPRESENTATIVE Mavis Gardner 30 Link Road Anstey Leicester LE7 7BY Tel:/Fax: 01162 364 737
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Mrs Sandie Hern 36 Bell Lane Moulton Spalding PE12 6PH Tel: 0140 637 1134 Fax: 01406 370 847 e-mail: hernie@tiscali.co.uk
CAMPAIGN EDITOR and WEB MANAGER Jeff Liddiatt 13 Wetlands Lane Portishead Bristol BS20 6RA Tel: 01275 848965 e-mail: jeff_liddiatt@yahoo.co.uk
LITIGATION SECRETARY Douglas Hern 36 Bell Lane Moulton Spalding PE12 6PH Tel: 0140 637 1134 Fax: 01406 370 847 e-mail: hernie@tiscali.co.uk
BNTVA SHOP MANAGER Trevor Butler 75 Woldcarr Road Hull Humberside HU3 6TR Tel: 01482 571 431 Fax: 01482 569 241
Tel: 01360 311 300 Fax: 01360 310 645
TREASURER (PHONE ONLY BETWEEN 6.00 – 8.00 pm
Carol Longden 2 Fossland View, Middlecroft Drive Strensall York YO32 5RH 01904 492 875
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CHAPLAIN The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling BA, LLD Dean of Chichester The Deanery, Canon Lane, Chichester West Sussex PO19 1PX
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ADVISING SOLICITOR Ian Greenhalgh LLB 15 Beech Hall Street Wigan WN6 7HX Tel: 01942 820 202 Fax: 0870 250 1340
BNTVA SHOP MANAGER Trevor Butler 75 Woldcarr Road Hull Humberside HU3 6TR Tel: 01482 571 431 Fax: 01482 569 241
NATIONAL STANDARD BEARER Terry Washington ‘Little Hey’ 8 Butley Close Tytherington Macclesfield SK10 2HL Tel: 01625 425 970
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Campaign magazine is published by the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association. Editor: Jeff Liddiatt, 13 Wetlands Lane, Portishead, Bristol BS20 6RA. Tel: 01275 848965. Next issue copy Deadline 30 June 2009. BNTVA is not an anti-nuclear or an anti-war association. All opinions, views and quotations do not represent official BNTVA policy and are the sole responsibility of the writer. Copyright of owner acknowledged. Photographs and images – Campaign cannot guarantee total accuracy for any reproduction of letters / articles / transcripts. BNTVA is a ‘not for profit’ voluntary Association supporting past and present UK Nuclear Test Combined Service Veterans and their families.
Fleece Baseball Caps Blue only Key rings Cuff links (pair) Tie Pins Blue BNTVA Scarf woollen BNTVA Scarf silk effect BNTVA Engraved Tankard
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1.00 3.00 12.00 13.00 20.00
Branch contact details East Anglia
South Wales
Derek Chappell 11 Fir Tree Drive West Winch Kings Lynn PE33 0PO
Gron Williams 27 Heol Myryddin Ffairfach Liandeilo S Wales SA19 6PD
East Midlands
Sussex
Marilyn Hall (Mrs) 35 Shetland Road Leicester LE4 6RS
Jim Cooper 30 Beaumont Road Worthing Sussex BN14 8HD
Humberside
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Trevor Butler 75 Woldcarr Road Hull Humberside HU3 6TR
Wally Holdsworth 35 Westbourne Crescent, Garforth Leeds L25 1BR
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Pat Hurley 24 Caxton Road Old Wolverton Milton Keynes MK12 50PG
Norman Aplin 134 Wych Lane Bridgemary Gosport PO13 0TE
Scotland
Australia Ron Knight 22 Sandalwood Close Beechboro 6063 Western Australia BN14 8HD
Bob Smith 11 Holyknowe Crescent Lennoxtown Glasgow G66 7DY
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This important medal is a joint commission between the Australian and British Nuclear Veterans Associations providing medallic recognition to veterans who served in nuclear test site 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 Nuclear Weapons Tests in Australia & Pacific' and the reverse dramatically features a detonation cloud and the words 'For Service in Radioactive Areas 1952-1967'. The ribbon is white on the edges representing the blinding white flash that comes before the fireball and then subsides to 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 the ribbon colours and bears an authenticating label on the reverse. For further information and/or an application form contact Award Productions Ltd, (Dept. NNL) PO Box 300, Shrewsbury SY5 6WP, U.K. Tel: 01952 510053 Fax: 01952 510765 E-mail: award@crown-lane.co.uk
The Australian Nuclear Veterans Association and the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association are the beneficiaries of this project.
www.awardmedals.com 28