Remembering the British Nuclear Test Veterans who have gone before us
Today is a day of preparation for the solemnity of the Remembrance Sunday marches and the laying of wreaths up and down the UK. Even the preparation for such an annual event has a solemnity of its own.
The British Nuclear Test Veterans' Association is one of only two UK charities who represent the UK's nuclear test veterans and their families who took part in the Commonwealth atmospheric testing and clean-ups in the 1950s-1960s.
Our sister charity, the Nuclear Community Charity Fund (NCCF) was set up to distribute individual welfare and wellbeing grants to the veterans and their families through its Care, Wellbeing & Inclusion Fund (www.nccf.org), to advance research into the health effects of the nuclear testing, which it has done through the formation and current funding of the Centre of Health Effects of Radiological and Chemical Agents (chrc4veterans.uk), in addition to maintaining the memorials of the BNTVA.
The BNTVA and the NCCF are the only two charitable organisations in the UK who fulfil these specialist functions, representing and providing these services to British nuclear test veterans and their families.
Both charities take the memorialisation of the participants of the Commonwealth nuclear tests very seriously. Now that lockdowns have ended in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we are able to attend memorials further afield where the NCCF carries out works where necessary.
Shelly Grigg, David Bostwick and his son Zed, Ed McGrath, Ron Watson and Don James (Operation Grapple) will be attending the London Cenotaph, along with others, to lay a wreath from the British Nuclear Test Veterans' Association to formally remember those who have passed away since the nuclear tests.
Risca
Note that the black granite BNTVA plaque is placed on the wall on the right of the picture. Neil Kinnock requested for this to happen as he was concerned that the memorial would be damaged in its original position on the ground.
Ceri and John McDade will be marching at the home of the Welsh national standard in Risca with Mike Aubrey (Operation Dominic) and the Royal British Legion who always give a special Welsh 'hiraeth' welcome. When lockdown eased last year, Mike and Steve from the RBL met with Ceri and John to open St Mary's Church and show the BNTVA's laid-up standard and memorial plaques, which Neil Kinnock, whilst leader of the Labour Party was keen to place. This will be a time of feelings of pride combined with feelings of loss, marching the same route as nuclear test veterans have for decades, as well as their wives, widows and descendants in years past with the Wales Standard alongside the Right Hon The Lord Neil Kinnock PC.
Liverpool
Wesley Perriman and Martin Blackburn, whose fathers participated in nuclear testing at Maralinga and Christmas Island respectively, will be attending the BNTVA memorial at St John's Gardens, Liverpool. It is wonderful to see the coming together of trustees of both charities - BNTVA and NCCF - tied by the bond of friendship and service to the British nuclear test veterans past and present.
The NCCF is currently looking at repairing the Birmingham Memorial as the corner has been subject to some damage.
John Lax (Operation Dominic) will be laying a BNTVA wreath at the Falkirk War Memorial.
David (Operation Dominic) and Veronica Taunt will be laying a BNTVA wreath at the Swindon War Memorial.
John Ward (Operation Grapple) will be laying a BNTVA wreath at the Whitwell War Memorial.
Which memorial will you be laying a wreath at in memory to the British nuclear test veterans?
Also, we think of those who are unable to attend their local War Memorial or BNTVA Memorial due to ill health or other circumstances. Please, if you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the BNTVA on 0208 14 3080 or info@bntva.com.
The full list of BNTVA Memorials and where to find them is in last year's Campaign.
