It is with profound sadness that we mark the passing of Fred Stallard, a steadfast champion of the nuclear test survivor community, who died on 30th September 2025 following a brief hospital admission.
Fred’s dedication to veterans’ welfare was unwavering. After serving as Chairman of the Maralinga Veterans Association (MVA) until its closure in 2011, he joined the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) as a trustee that same year, becoming the voice for Maralinga veterans and ensuring their stories would not be forgotten.
His connection to Maralinga was not just professional, but deeply personal. Serving in the Royal Air Force, Fred was posted to Edinburgh Field in Adelaide in 1957—the staging post for personnel bound for the deployment to Maralinga for Operation Antler. He spent approximately four months living in a tent beside the airfield, experiencing things that would shape the rest of his life’s work.
Throughout his tenure as a BNTVA trustee until his retirement in 2017, Fred was not only a passionate advocate but also a powerful storyteller. He remained dedicated to preserving the Maralinga heritage, becoming a familiar face in the recognition campaign, attending screenings and Q&A sessions for the documentary ‘Nobody Told Us,’ sharing his experiences with audiences who needed to understand this hidden chapter of history.
Beyond his service and advocacy, Fred was a man of diverse and gentle pursuits. He was a keen walker who guided tours across the UK countryside, and a devoted cricket enthusiast who found joy in the summer game. Those who worked alongside him, particularly Jeffrey Liddiatt MBE and fellow members of both the MVA and BNTVA, remember Fred as more than a colleague—he was a trusted friend whose steady hand and quiet wisdom guided their collective efforts through challenging waters.
Fred is survived by his beloved wife, June, to whom we extend our deepest sympathies. His legacy lives on in every veteran whose story is told, every recognition won, and every truth brought to light. A life lived in service, remembered with gratitude.
