Nuclear veterans who bravely participated in dangerous missions amid radioactive fallout in the Pacific will soon receive a special medal in recognition of their service. These veterans, who were involved in monitoring and documenting significant nuclear explosions by France and China in the Pacific region for the Royal Air Force and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, are finally set to be honored.
Previously, these individuals were excluded from eligibility for the nuclear test medal due to restrictive criteria established by a previous government. However, Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the invaluable contribution of these nuclear test veterans in laying the groundwork for the UK’s security and freedoms. He expressed the nation’s long-overdue gratitude towards them.
The introduction of the nuclear test medal in 2023, following a prolonged campaign by various groups including the Mirror, has already recognized nearly 6,000 British bomb test veterans in Australia and Christmas Island from 1952 to 1967. Now, civilian crews from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary who observed explosions at sea and RAF crews engaged in intelligence gathering during French tests until 1974 and Chinese tests until 1980 will also be eligible for this prestigious honor.
Many of these veterans have reported health issues such as cancer, and their descendants have documented cases of birth defects, possibly linked to radiation exposure. One such veteran, John Cammish, who served as a ground crew chief in a reconnaissance squadron, tragically passed away due to cancer associated with radiation exposure.
The move to extend the Medal for Heroes to additional nuclear veterans fulfills a promise made by the Labour government and acknowledges the sacrifices made by these individuals. Despite some veterans rejecting the medal due to perceived exclusions in the criteria, efforts are ongoing to ensure that all deserving veterans are duly recognized and that justice is served for those affected by the Nuked Blood Scandal.
The Mirror continues to advocate for transparency and accountability in addressing the experiences of nuclear veterans, including the need for a comprehensive study of their health outcomes and radiation exposure records. The ongoing campaign aims to shed light on the hidden history of these veterans and ensure that their contributions are properly acknowledged and honored.
To apply for the medal, interested individuals can visit the official government website for further information.