During the summer, the BNTVA was approached by Ian Marshall, who, at the time, was Chairman of his local Royal British Legion branch.  He is currently the Vice President.

Ian, as an ex-serviceman, was frankly frustrated at the struggle of the British nuclear test veterans for continuing recognition by the British government, and approached the BNTVA. 

He was keen to become involved in the constant struggle with the British government concerning forms of recognition for the British nuclear test veterans, and decided to garner support at his Royal British Legion branch in Lyme Regis.

The RBL branch in Lyme Regis accepted the following motion to actively support the BNTVA, which they are taking to Dorset County in January 2022, to vote on lending their support at county level.

We urge our supporters to take this motion to their local RBL branches

and at county level for this to become bigger and act as a catalyst for

positive change for the British nuclear test veterans.

Ian's original motion will be presented at the 2022 RBL Annual Conference for the Royal British Legion to support the British nuclear test veterans on a national scale, in a similar way to lending successful support to achieving Gurkha rights within the UK. After successful campaigning, the RBL, along with Poppy Scotland, achieved success in adding a question concerning service in the Armed Forces for the UK Census 2021. 

On hearing about the AMSC's rejection earlier this week for a medal award to Britain's brave heroes who attended the Commonwealth atmospheric testing and clean ups, Ian said, "Really dismayed that your bid for a medal has been rebuffed by Her Majesty's Government."

For our members who have joined their local Royal British Legion branch, we would be grateful if you could bring the following motion to your fellow members as soon as possible, particularly after the news once again of the nuclear test veterans being refused a medal for their "novel and challenging situation" by the Advisory Military Sub-Committee. 

It is easy to join your local Royal British Legion, and you do not have to have served in the Armed Forces to do so. Membership FAQs| Charity Membership | Royal British Legion

 MOTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE BRITISH NUCLEAR TEST VETERANS' ASSOCIATION

Title: That the Royal British Legion should engage directly and formally with the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) to assist them in their quest to obtain greater engagement with Her Majesty’s Government particularly in securing better pension rights for survivors and their dependents and for granting an appropriate campaign medal to recognise their service and sacrifice. 

Reason for inclusion: This branch believes that the BNTVA has been unfairly treated by successive governments over the past 75 years when other national governments have recognised and compensated their test veterans and their dependants appropriately. 

Effect if passed: BNTVA will have the support of the national veteran’s charity in securing better recognition of their case by HM Government. 

Main argument: The RBL has been a great campaigner for other recent veteran’s matters such as recognition for Gurkha rights, bringing the appropriate question regarding veteran service to the national census so this is a just cause which this branch believes the RBL should embrace and assist the BNTVA in its campaign endeavours. 

 
 
Ian Marshall 

Branch Vice President/BCS Representative 

Lyme Regis Branch 

T 07584 993 955 

E i.marshall@btinternet.com 

Royal British Legion, Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA 

rbl.org.uk