Yesterday was an incredibly sad day, we said goodbye to a wonderful man, who campaigned tirelessly for the Nuclear Test Veterans for decades.
He was not only a great campaigner, but he was my friend, mentor and an amazing person.
It is difficult to write this tribute as it is difficult to believe that I will never talk to him again. He always made time to talk to me when I needed advice, not only for me, but for anyone who wanted to know about the Nuclear testing program.
He travelled the world, giving speeches, raising money through his musical performances and stalls, and advising many documentary film makers.
We were lucky to have someone like Doug, who worked tirelessly for the Nuclear Veterans, his voice will be immortalised in videos which will forever show the injustice that he and thousands of others have faced for nearly 70 years.
His determination to hold the UK Government to account following the death of his daughter aged just 13, who died in his arms was incredible, his knowledge of the tests, the history, second to none.
I am only writing this because of Doug, without a chance meeting at Baytree Garden Centre, I would not have been involved with the Nuclear Test Veterans. He was fundraising for the BNTVA and I approached him and told me my father was a nuclear veteran and he said "He is either ill or he is dead". I told him that he had passed away in 1994.
From that day, we became friends and with Sandie, they helped me so much as Chairman of the BNTVA and later as LABRATS. Together, they ensured that the All-Tests Reunion was administered after Jim Cooper stepped down and the Veterans were always in his mind.
At Pontins in Sand Bay, we have a bench dedicated to Jim and Sandie and this year, we added a plaque for Doug, who sat on the bench last year.
Doug ensured that millions of people knew about 'Operation Grapple' after working with the producers of Call The Midwife, advising on the production, to ensure the program was factually correct.
Mel and I invited Doug and Sandie to our wedding in 2016 and we were delighted when they accepted.
Doug won the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the Soldering On Awards in 2019, a fantastic night that I was privileged to share it with him and Sandie and other guests. Although he did give me an earful for putting him forward as he said that there were many others who deserved the accolade!
After Sandie was diagnosed with Cancer he nursed her until she sadly passed away, doing everything he could to ensure that she was looked after. Doug always thought of Sandie, he always spoke of her, we spent many hours talking about her love for Doug, the family and to many causes including the Merchant Navy Association.
Today is going to be a very different day, I can no longer speak to him for advice, I can no longer speak to him to just hear his voice and spend time with him. I made a promise to Sandie that I would look after him and I hope that I did, but it was not just me, Eric & Janet Barton spoke to him regularly, Eric making an ICAN video with Doug which has been shown worldwide. Roy Glencross helped Doug immensely during his health struggles, taking him to appointments, doing his shopping and picking up prescriptions. Doug often told me how they helped him during his darkest days. The neighbours helped him with jobs around the house and the family tended his garden.
Doug was a very talented man, woodworking, singing, guitar playing, editing songs but most of all he was a man who always wanted to help. Many people do not know how much time he put into making bird boxes, walking canes, windmills and helping others.
Doug has left a legacy which will continue forever, his voice will continue to be heard by millions of people, his videos will continue to be shown and he will be forever remembered for his commitment.
But for me personally he was my friend, someone I could call anytime, someone who was always there for me and I hope that he is now with Sandie and they are again causing mayhem and performing for the many Nuclear Veterans that have passed.
I was extremely saddened that Doug never held the Nuclear Test Veterans medal, he never saw the physical medal, but he saw the design and he knew that he had been recognised. I would of loved to see Doug receiving his medal from Royalty, but this was denied to him by the UK Government that he fought against for decades.
My son and I visited him in hospital in his final days, he knew that his time was up, yet he said to Joseph 'Look after him' and he said to me 'Don't let the Bastards Win'. He was defiant to the end. I didn't want to make this tribute political in anyway, but as I am writing this, I can hear Doug saying 'You tell them, they know the truth, keep going'.
So to the faceless civil servants at the Ministry of Defence, the Top Brass, you do not understand our community, you do not understand the loss of thousands of veterans and their descendants, the sorrow and the anger against you. I have lost two of my friends who were incredible people, you don't know them, but I along with many did and we were privileged to do so, they made the world a better place. These two people make a difference to many communities.
So for now, it is time to say goodbye to Doug and Sandie, but you will never be forgotten, your work will continue until we get the truth and justice that you campaigned for for decades. And I promise you, we won't let the Bastards Win!
On behalf of the Nuclear Community, thank you for everything Doug and Sandie. You were very special people.