Christmas Island veterans receive nuclear testing medals

Isaac Ashe & Steve Beech - BBC News, Derbyshire
·2 min read
Veterans handed medals at ceremony
A formal presentation was organised after medals were sent through the post [BBC]

Derbyshire veterans who conducted nuclear tests for the British armed forces in the 1950s have been recognised at a ceremony.

Operation Grapple saw a series of British nuclear weapons tests carried out close to Christmas Island, in the Pacific Ocean, between 1957 and 1958.

The bomb tests assured British military power during the Cold War.

Four members of the armed forces who took part in the testing and one widow were presented with medals on Friday.

Military on Christmas Island in the 1950s
Operation Grapple saw a series of atomic and hydrogen bomb tests in the late 1950s at Christmas Island [BBC]

The presentation by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire Elizabeth Fothergill was arranged at Chesterfield Masonic Hall.

A formal event was organised by Denise Ward, daughter of Royal Air Force Cpl John Ward, after the veterans received their medals in Jiffy bags through the post.

Cpl Ward, Royal Marine Roy Richardson, Army Service Corps L/Cpl Jim Thompson and Royal Engineers L/Cpl Anthony Judge all attended, as did Shirley Cleal, widow of Navy Petty Officer Michael Cleal.

Veteran at ceremony
L/Cpl Ward spoke of his pride at the award [BBC]

L/Cpl Judge said: "I feel very proud, proud for what happened in the past when I was on Christmas Island.

"The world was in a bit of a terrible mess then, 1957, 58, 59. America and Russia had both exploded hydrogen bombs.

"It was nice to know that what happened on the island, it made us equal.

"It was very important to have the presentation. It brought it back.

"We never thought then that what we were doing and where we were would warrant having a royal award.

"I feel very proud of the fact that I've received this medal."

On board a ship in the 1950s
The bomb tests assured British influence in the Cold War [BBC]

Lee Rowley, North East Derbyshire MP, also attended the "special morning".

He said: "It's been wonderful today for the veterans to have the acknowledgement for their service and the opportunity to be able to talk about it more.

"They are a real inspiration. They fought for many years for recognition, quite rightly, and they encountered some really hard times over on Christmas Island.

"It was just so interesting to hear about what they went through out in the ocean for several years, often in hard conditions."

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