Nuclear test veterans who played a vital role in safeguarding the UK’s security and were honoured with medals for their service have been commended at a dedicated reception held in their honour.
The event, hosted by the Ministry of Defence and the Office of Veterans Affairs, provided an opportunity to express gratitude to these veterans for their exceptional contributions. The reception follows the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of their service last year when he announced the creation of a special new medal.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps MP and Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer MP met with approximately fifty veterans at Admiralty House in London. Among those in attendance were veterans who, for the first time this year, proudly marched past the Cenotaph wearing their Nuclear Test Medals.
The Nuclear Test Medal was unveiled by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November 2022, marking 70 years since the first British nuclear weapon test. This medal is a testament to the dedication and sacrifices of military, civilian, and overseas personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing program during the 1950s and 1960s.
The recognition extends to veterans and civilian staff from various nations and across the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Kiribati, who made significant contributions to these testing efforts.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps commented on the occasion, stating, “I am incredibly proud to have met veterans and heard their incredible stories, following on from the Government’s fulfilled commitment to award the Nuclear Test Medal. The service and dedication of our nuclear test veterans is vitally important to the continued safety and security of our nation. It is only right that we recognize and value their service through this medal, an enduring symbol of the Nation’s gratitude.”
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer added, “Today’s event has been a fantastic opportunity to mark the contributions of the veterans who worked on Britain’s nuclear programme over seventy years ago. The medal is a fitting tribute to those who worked to preserve our national security, and I am pleased that so many of our veterans now have their medal.”
The UK government has made it a priority to commemorate the contributions of nuclear test veterans and has allocated funding to ensure their stories are passed on for generations. As part of this commitment, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is financing a £250,000 oral history project in collaboration with the University of South Wales and the University of Liverpool. This project aims to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans.
Additionally, Big Ideas, an education organization that received £200,000 from the Nuclear Test Community Fund, collaborated with four secondary schools across the UK and Fiji. Students had the opportunity to meet with veterans and learn about their stories and experiences.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer also recently met with nuclear test veterans in Fiji and joined Fijian nationals in celebrating their national day, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to honouring these veterans’ service.
This recognition serves as a testament to the enduring gratitude of the United Kingdom for the sacrifices made by these veterans in safeguarding the nation’s security.
