John George – HMS Warrior

John George – official Number: SFX 910256
Served in the Royal Navy for 12 years from 19th February 1952.

I was on board the H.M.S Warrior heading for the Pacific Island called Malden island for the H-Bomb test, we had scientists on board the ship.

On reaching the island, we steamed around looking for any other shipping nearby. The Warrior was the marker ship for dropping off the bomb after the scientist had planted their instruments in the sand on the island, the time had come for the bomb to be dropped.

I and some of the ship’s crew witnessed the dropping of the bomb, we had special clothing and dark glasses on, and we lined the deck with our backs to the island as the Valiant Bomber was above the ship, the captain then started the countdown on the tannoy saying the bomb doors are now open.

On reaching the island the captain said the bomb had been released, after the bomb exploded, he started the countdown of 20, you got the flash first, then the immense heatwave which seemed to go right through your body, once he got to 20, we were allowed to turn around and see the mushroom-forming.

After a week, the scientists collected their instruments from the sand and then we had a shooting party on the island in case any of the tropical birds were still alive. On coming back on board, we had to go down the dirty side of the ship, have a scrub down in the shower and then we were tested for radiation on a Geiger Counter.

This year, I will be turning 90 years old and can say that these images have never left my mind and I can remember it like it was yesterday.

I have a limited ship’s newspaper from 1957 – The Mid Pacific News Special Souvenir Edition – BOMB GONE! This tells you the start to finish of the bomber pilot and the operation, probably the only one left in England.

John George