• Prime
Minister announces new medal to honour the service of veterans of
Britain’s nuclear tests on ‘plutonium anniversary’
•
22,000 veterans are expected to be eligible for the new honour,
marking their service and contribution to the United Kingdom’s
nuclear test programme.
• Comes
as veterans and their families gather at the National Memorial
Arboretum today to pay tribute to nuclear heroes, who have kept
the country safe for 70 years
A new medal is to honour the
significant contribution of veterans and civilian staff from
across the Commonwealth, who participated in Britain’s nuclear
testing programme, the Prime Minister will announce today.
The award comes as the country
pays tribute to the veterans of the United Kingdom’s nuclear test
programme at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire
this morning.
The event, which takes place 70
years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon, will be
attended by the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and
Veterans’ Affairs Minister .
Service personnel, veterans and
their families, and representatives from military charities will
also attend.
Prime Minister said:
“I am incredibly proud that we
are able to mark the service and dedication of our nuclear test
veterans with this new medal. Their commitment and service has
preserved peace for the past 70 years, and it is only right their
contribution to our safety, freedom and way of life is
appropriately recognised with this honour.
“This medal is an enduring
symbol of our country’s gratitude to each and every person who
played a part in this effort and their loved ones who supported
them.”
The veterans and civilians who
participated in the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme, the
first of which was known as Op Hurricane, made the UK the third
nuclear power. This work contributed to achieving the nuclear
deterrent - the ultimate guarantee of UK sovereignty which
continues to keep us safe today, and helps guarantee
international security.
Minister for Veterans’
Affairs said:
“This medal honours those who
served far from home, at a crucial time in our nation’s
history.
“To this day the nuclear
deterrent remains the cornerstone of our defence, and that is
only because of the service and contribution of the brilliant
veterans and civilian personnel.
“It’s right that we mark this
contribution today, 70 years on from Britain’s first nuclear
test."
Defence Secretary
said:
"I am delighted that a
commemorative medal can be given to our nuclear test veterans,
who have made an invaluable contribution to the safety and
security of the UK, and who we recognise and value for their
enduring service to our nation."
The Nuclear Test Medal will be
a commemorative medal that can be worn by recipients.
The medal also recognises the
contribution made by veterans and civilians from across
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati. All service personnel
and civilians under UK command, including close partners from the
Commonwealth and Pacific region, who participated in, or were
present at, the British or American nuclear tests at the
Montebello Islands, Christmas Island, Malden Island and Maralinga
& Emu Field, South Australia between 1952 and 1967 will be
eligible for the medal. This also includes scientists and local
employees..
It is estimated that around
22,000 veterans will be eligible for medallic recognition.
The medal can be awarded
posthumously. Veterans, their families and next of kin will need
to apply for the medal, which will be free of charge. It is
expected that the first awards of the medals will be made in
2023.
To further recognise the
contribution of veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests, the
government is investing £450,000 into projects which will
commemorate and build further understanding of the experiences of
veterans who were deployed to Australia and the Pacific.
As part of that funding, the
Office for Veterans’ Affairs is launching an oral history project
to chronicle the voices and experiences of those who supported
the UK’s effort to develop a nuclear deterrent.
Due to start in April 2023 the
project will run for two years, giving nuclear test veterans the
opportunity to be interviewed, and contribute to an accessible
digital archive of testimonies about their time working on the
tests.
