Nuclear test veterans who contributed uniquely to the UK’s security were thanked at a dedicated event hosted by the Ministry of Defence and Office of Veterans Affairs. 

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps MP, and Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer MP, met around fifty veterans at Admiralty House in London. Amongst attendees were veterans who marched past the Cenotaph with their Nuclear Test Medal for the first time this year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the medal in November 2022, 70 years after the first British nuclear weapon test. It recognises military, civilian and overseas staff and personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme during the 1950s and 1960s.

Many veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests will receive the new medal, recognising the contribution made by veterans and civilian staff from other nations and across the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati.

I am incredibly proud to have met veterans and heard their incredible stories, following on from the Government’s fulfilled commitment to awarding 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 fitting that we recognise and value their service through this medal, an enduring symbol of the Nation’s gratitude.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps

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. I am pleased that so many of our veterans now have their medal.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer

I received my medal in time for Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday and I wear it with pride. This reception was a wonderful gesture on behalf of the Government; they took time to recognise a wide range of our nuclear veterans, not just those of us who are often in the limelight. That was important.

Jeffrey Liddiatt MBE, Hon. Life President of the NCCF

OVA Johnny Mercer
All photographs used with permission of the OVA

The Government has committed to commemorating the contribution of nuclear test veterans. It has dedicated funding to ensure their stories are passed on to future generations.

As part of the Government’s efforts to champion nuclear test veterans’ contributions, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs also funds a £250,000 oral history project. Work by the University of South Wales and the University of Liverpool is underway to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans.

Education organisation Big Ideas, also a recipient of the OVA’s £200,000 Nuclear Test Community Fund, worked with four secondary schools in the Autumn term across the four nations. The students met with veterans from the UK and Fiji to hear their stories and experiences.

The NCCF has also received £75,000 of funding from the OVA to launch our Community Care Check pilot programme. It will see over 150 veterans and up to 1,000 family members contacted and engaged by specialist outreach facilitators to identify and address their well-being needs.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer recently met with nuclear test veterans in Fiji and joined Fijian nationals in celebrating their National Day on the 10th of October.

The full original press release can be read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nuclear-test-veterans-recognised-for-contribution-to-uk-security