Each new year brings hope that the Nuclear Community will finally receive the truth and justice they deserve. There have been many campaigners, many organisations who have fought the UK Government, and there has never been an apology or any financial redress. But is 2026 the year that changes? Many people have fought hard for recognition for decades, and many of those are no longer with us. Incredible campaigners who will never see the UK Government apologise for their wrongd

Introduction President Charles de Gaulle insisted on maintaining a fully independent nuclear deterrent (force de frappe) which France had established during the Cold War; that was free from dependence on either the USA or NATO.  France’s first nuclear tests were carried out between 1960 and 1966, were conducted at Ekker in the Sahara Desert in what was then French Algeria.  This consisted of a series of 13 underground nuclear tests and 5 complementary subcritical atmospheric

At LABRATS, we are always asked to work on and endorse projects. We have to be extremely careful with our selections due to the pressure of time and, most importantly, suitability for the community. Our Directors are consulted and decisions made. We wanted to highlight some exciting projects which we have signed up for. These projects are not just about campaigning; they are about education and raising awareness. Office for Veterans' Affairs Working with the Office for Vetera

I met James many years ago; he attended the All-Tests Reunion and was present at the Medal award ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum. He has been involved with the community since 2010, and we have been in constant contact regarding his project ambitions. His new hybrid feature documentary 'Nucleus' unpacks the unending and urgent legacy of nuclear weapons testing on our lives. Produced by Melt Films, there has already been a lot of work undertaken, as you can see fro

IN LLAMA LAND THERE'S A MASTER PLAN, TO SNIFF A NUKE OR TWO. - BY BARRY FAGG Introduction This document provides an overall picture of air sampling sorties carried out by 543 Squadron Victor aircraft and personnel, who between 1966 and 1974 flew through the debris of atmospheric nuclear test clouds of the French and Chinese nations.  There is a brief overview of the Royal Air Force (RAF) “SNIFFING” missions associated with the Chinese tests, but primarily the article focuses

Join us on the 19th of November at 9 pm in the UK for a fantastic free webinar entitled 'Holding the Memories'. The webinar will discuss the fight for Nuclear Archival Justice. It brings together affected communities and experts from the UK and Australia to explore the barriers put in place when exploring archives. Discussing the power of community-held memory and the restrictions imposed by governments on accessing the material, essential for the fight for truth and justice

Today is the anniversary of Grapple X, on the 8th of November 1957. With a yield of 1.8 megatons, it was 140 times the size of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The bomb was dropped from Valiant XD824, piloted by Millett. We have been extremely busy this week with events running up to Remembrance Day tomorrow. Monday 3rd November Alan attended a Remembrance event at 10 Downing Street. This was a great chance to meet with other organisations and to meet the Prime Minister, the De

Frank Bools The Oral History Project was an incredible success, the testimonies of the veterans will be held in perpetuity at the British Library for generations to listen to and understand how the testing program affected the participants. The Oral History project also included a film created by Sascha Snow entitled ‘The Greatest Force on Earth Live' this short documentary follows Frank Bools as he travels to Christmas Island in 1958 and his life after the testing program. L

On the 23rd October 2025, we were privileged to be invited to a private viewing of 'Portraits of the Hibakusha - 80 years remembered', an absolutely fantastic exhibition of portraits of the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The preview took place at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff, CF10 4PA. The exhibition runs from the 24th October to the 30th November and was created by Gina Langon of 80,000 voices and photographed by Patri

Sioned Williams MS, Captain Terry Hughes, Alan Owen, Bryan Jarvis and Mabon ap Gwynfor MS On the 22nd of October 2025, LABRATS launched their educational package 'British Nuclear Testing - An Introduction' at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. Sponsored by Sioned Williams MS and supported by Mabon ap Gwnfor, the event was a great success. People from across the country attended the event at the Pierhead building and were welcomed by the Senedd Event team with tea, coffee and of cours

LABRATS are proud to announce two Educational Launch Events across the UK. Our New Educational package will be launched in Wales and England over the next 3 weeks. These exciting events will showcase the new Educational package that was shown to the attendees of the All-Test Reunion in September 2025 at Pontins, Sand Bay, Weston-Super-Mare. The events will take place on the following days: Pierhead Building, Senedd - Cardiff - 22nd October 2025. 12 pm Mayors Council Chambers,

Today is the 73rd anniversary of the first British Nuclear Test. Operation Hurricane was carried out in 1952 at the Montebello Islands in...

On the 12th of September at the British Library, An Oral History of British Nuclear Test Veterans was launched. After many years of hard work, the team delivered an amazing project. Dr Chris Hill and Dr Jonathan Hogg introducing the team In an evening attended by Nuclear Test Veterans from across the Commonwealth, the NTV Oral History Project was released. The project team of Dr Chris Hill, Dr Jon Hogg, Dr Fiona Bowler and Joshua Bushen presented their work. LABRATS had endor

I was on Christmas Island for the nuclear tests in 1958. I was in the Royal Engineers working as a plant operator in the Quarry, which...

Gary Blinco and Paul Grace at Claret Cove (Merilyn Fairskye) At dawn on Day Two of our expedition  to the Montebello Islands, the 80-foot...

Montebello Expedition 2025 (left to right): Jesse Boylan, Paul Grace, Darren Holden, Maxine Goodwin, Elizabeth Tynan, Toby Holden, Gary...

On the UN International Day against Nuclear Tests (29 August), the UK/Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities have joined French, Algerian...

An open letter to the Editor in Chief and CEO of Labrats International.                                                                  ...

New evidence uncovered at The National Archives shows that the Medical Research Council were extremely concerned by the NRPB study into...

In 1960, 18 men were removed from Christmas Island for homosexual tendencies. (Please note that these documents contain wording which may...