Notice on arrival to Christmas Island
- Invisible Enemy
- Oct 21, 2021
- 2 min read
On arrival at Christmas Island, a document was issued to personnel for their benefit as a new arrival.
They were asked to note the points carefully!
R.A.F Christmas Island
October 1957
"All officers, British other ranks and others (including civilians) in the employment fo the Crown are forbidden to publish in any form whatsoever, or communicate either directly or indirectly with the Press any Service information, or their views on any service subjet, without special authority."
"Aerial photography at Christmas Island is prohibited. Private cameras are to be registered with the Police and proforma to facilitate this may be obtained from any of the Police officers or Messes."
"All personnel are reminded that it is a criminal offence under the Official Secrets Acts if any person having in his possesion or control any document or information communicates the document or information to any person other than a person to who he is authorised to communicate it."
"Due to the temporay nature of the domestic accommodation and the lack of secure lockers the temptation to commit crime of theft on this unit is increased."
"The following dress regulations are to be noted. Hats are to be worn at all times when in the open air or travelling in vehicles. Only official footwar is to be worn unless in possesion of an exempting medical chit."
"Take great care during the first few weeks on Christmas Island whilst sunbathing. The sun is extremely strong and several cases of severe sun burn resulted from over exposure to the sun during the first few days."
"Swimming is only allowed at authorised swimming areas. Two men have been drowned by disregarding this order."
If you were are Christmas Island, do you remember
receiving such a document, were these rules enforced?
Conclusion
So do not take photographs, look after your possessions, and do not tell anyone anything about your time on the island. Stay out of the sun and always wear a hat!
No mention of any nuclear bomb testing, DDT spraying, the potential hazards of radiation exposure, or the fact that you will be witnessing the deadliest of man's creations.
Hi.
I have dozens of photos taken by my dad, a civil servant, not in the military sent there by AWE. They even include the 'crop sprayer', and the boat ride out to Warrior to observe a bomb detonation. I have always wondered if he should have been taking these pictures or not. Also not much sign of hats on their heads and they must have purchased pumps for their feet as their normal brogues were probably not very suitable, worn with the tweedy suits they travelled out in. It beggars belief now.
Don't remember it. Wouldn't have taken any notice anyway. Bought a camera in New York on the way out, and took loads of pics, even the Valiant coming in to land, as our tent was right on the edge of the runway, got pic of most planes coming in.