Banff and Buchan MP welcomes nuclear medal award for veterans
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Local MP for Banff and Buchan, David Duguid has welcomed a UK Government announcement that nuclear test veterans are to be awarded a medal for their unique service 70 years ago.
A new medal is to honour the significant contribution of veterans and civilian staff from across the Commonwealth, who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme, the Prime Minister has announced today.
The award comes as the country payed tribute to the veterans of the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The event, which takes place 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon, was attended by the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer.
Service personnel, veterans and their families, and representatives from military charities also attended.
David said: “This is extremely welcome news for veterans in my constituency, and across the UK who served in the nuclear test programme in the 1950s and 1960s.
“I have made several representations on behalf of my affected constituents since 2017 and so I am very pleased to see the Prime Minister award this medal.
“The service of those veterans who served in the nuclear testing programme cannot be understated and so it is right that they are being properly recognised.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "I am delighted that a commemorative medal can be given to our Nuclear Test Veterans, who have made an invaluable contribution to the safety and security of the UK, and who we recognise and value for their enduring service to our nation.
"The Nuclear Test Medal will be a commemorative medal that can be worn by recipients."
The medal also recognises the contribution made by veterans and civilians from across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati. All service personnel and civilians under UK command, including close partners from the Commonwealth and Pacific region, who participated in, or were present at, the British or American nuclear tests at the Montebello Islands, Christmas Island, Malden Island and Maralinga & Emu Field, South Australia between 1952 and 1967 will be eligible for the medal.
This also includes scientists and local employees..
It is estimated that around 22,000 veterans will be eligible for medallic recognition.
The medal can be awarded posthumously. Veterans, their families and next of kin will need to apply for the medal, which will be free of charge. It is expected that the first awards of the medals will be made in 2023.
To further recognise the contribution of veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests, the government is investing £450,000 into projects which will commemorate and build further understanding of the experiences of veterans who were deployed to Australia and the Pacific.
As part of that funding, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is launching an oral history project to chronicle the voices and experiences of those who supported the UK’s effort to develop a nuclear deterrent.
Due to start in April 2023 the project will run for two years, giving nuclear test veterans the opportunity to be interviewed, and contribute to an accessible digital archive of testimonies about their time working on the tests.
