Nuclear test veterans who made a unique contribution to the UK’s security and have received medals for their service have been praised at a dedicated reception
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps MP, and Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer MP, met around fifty veterans at Admiralty House in London. Amongst attendees were veterans who marched past the Cenotaph with their Nuclear Test Medal for the first time this year.
The medal was announced by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November 2022, 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon. It recognises military, civilian and overseas staff and personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme during the 1950s and 1960s.
Many veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests will receive the new medal which will also recognise the contribution made by veterans and civilian staff from other nations and across the Commonwealth including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:
As part of the government’s efforts to champion nuclear test veterans’ contributions, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is also funding a £250,000 oral history project. Work by the University of South Wales and University of Liverpool is currently underway to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans.
Education organisation Big Ideas, also a recipient of the OVA’s £200,000 Nuclear Test Community Fund, worked with four secondary schools in the Autumn term across the four nations. The students met with veterans from across the UK and Fiji to hear their stories and experiences.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Johnny Mercer, recently met with nuclear test veterans in Fiji and joined Fijian nationals in celebrating their national day.