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Call for more recognition of nuclear test veterans

BBC Ray Peace stands in his living room and he is holding a suit and tie on a hanger in front of his body. The suit jacket has medals on it while in the background you can see his living room which has light grey sofas and pictures on the wall.BBC
Ray Peace is calling for better recognition for veterans who witnessed nuclear tests

A former Royal Engineer who witnessed nuclear tests is calling for better recognition for veterans.

Ray Peace, 84, from Whitstable, joined the army in 1955 when he was 15 years old.

He was twice stationed on Christmas Island, in the Pacific Ocean, near which nuclear weapons tests were carried out.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said the government was committed to working with veterans and listening to their concerns.

Handout A photograph showing two young men at a table on a beach with the sea in the background and drinks on the table. They are wearing shorts and both looking at the camera.Handout
Mr Peace was stationed on Christmas Island twice

Mr Peace says he is concerned that his medical records should show he was an ex atomic veteran, allowing doctors to have an overview of his history.

He was first sent to Christmas Island in March 1959, one of 22,000 British servicemen who participated in the British and United States' nuclear tests and clean-ups between 1952 and 1965.

He described the tests he witnessed as "colossal", adding: "It's something you wouldn't want anyone one else to see in peace time."

Mr Peace is calling for better recognition of the effort put in by British forces to provide Britain's nuclear deterrent, and for more notice to be taken when veterans say there is something wrong with them.

He said: "There were so many of them who died without the recognition."

Handout Mr Peace holds a guitar and looks at the camera. He is wearing a shirt and trousers and a black beret-style cap in the black and white photo.Handout
Mr Peace said the tests he witnessed were "colossal"

Robert James, 87, was an RAF firefighter stationed in Maralinga in Australia, where seven major UK tests took place.

Mr James previously said: "We were exposed to evil, we were exposed to radiation.

"That's pretty serious and I think that warrants compensation - not only for people that are surviving like myself, but the families that have suffered where their husbands or fathers died."

An MoD spokesperson said: "We recognise the huge contribution that nuclear test veterans have made to national security."

They said they had already amended the criteria for the commemorative Nuclear Test Medal to ensure those who took part in US atmospheric testing were also recognised.

They added: "Ministers are looking hard at this issue - including the question of records.

"They will continue to engage with the individuals and families affected and as part of this engagement.

"The Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns, has already met with parliamentarians and representatives from the Nuclear Test Veteran community to discuss their concerns further."

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