Trust and Respect

I was brought up to respect my elders and trust authority. This was even drummed into me during my two years of RNR training on HMS Conway. Unfortunately, over the years, I have become a bit of a skeptic and cynic. This was brought home to me since my initiation into being a Nuclear Veteran during Grapple Y at Christmas Island when the UK Government decided to test the largest H-Bomb ever.

Wave Ruler

I was on an RFA vessel at the time (Wave Ruler) manned entirely by civilians, i.e. Merchant Navy. It was not until we arrived at Christmas Island that we learned of the forthcoming test. Because of the general unhappiness, the Resident Naval Officer came on board to allay everyone’s fears, saying that all would be well as it had been done before (trust). Later, of course, I learned that this was a lie, as it was the first ever of its kind. At the time, I remember thinking, 'Why are they doing this when they knew what had happened in Japan?'

The Officers were provided with dosimeters, including me, to put into a top pocket, supposedly to measure any radiation. After the test, the RNO came aboard again, collected the dosimeters and took them away. They did not have our names on, and the collection process was accepted as normal (trust again). The same day, three of us went swimming off the island and became very sunburnt with very large blisters appearing on our backs and shoulders.

Anyway, after a few weeks, we set sail back across the Pacific to join the cod war in Iceland. From one extreme to another! The whole test incident became locked away as a distant memory. It was not until the 1980s that my memory was jogged by reading an article somewhere, which I believed mentioned the BNTVA. A call came from Birmingham University for the testing of Veterans who were involved in the various atomic testing arenas. I applied, but heard nothing. Over 22000 service personnel were involved in the atomic tests, as were over 2000 civilians.

In 2022, I joined the Labrats and have never looked back since. Since joining Labrats, I have become fully aware of the terrible aftereffects which have affected veterans and their families.

Captain Terry Hughes

I go back to what I said at the beginning of this short article:

"I was brought up to respect my elders and trust authority."

I am now an elder. Do those in Government respect us? They certainly didn’t when they carried out the various atomic tests. I have to say that our atomic tests were just one of many different types carried out on service personnel and civilians alike over the years.

At the end of last year, Sir Keir Starmer publicly said he would meet with a group of Nuclear Veterans in the New Year (2026). We are now in June, and this has never happened. How can a Prime Minister say such a thing and not keep his word? For a lawyer, I find this staggering, and it shows the complete disrespect he has for the Nuclear Veterans, his elders.

Image from BBC News

The PM has time to carry out photo opportunities around the country, but not for us. The last time the PM met with a small group, he is reported to have said:

"I have children, I get it."

He certainly does not get it. Only those involved in the tests fully understand the implications and consequences of the atomic tests. Documentation has been uncovered which proves we were being experimented on. So why the secrecy and lies which continue to be churned out year after year?

When questions get asked in Parliament, the stock phrase always rolled out is:

"This Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their Service and the huge contribution they have made to the UK’s security."

In a recent letter written to a Veteran, the Veterans Minister added:

' As you will be aware, since taking office, the Government has worked

hard to reset our relationship with the nuclear test veteran community

and to operate to a principle of maximum transparency.'

So why the continued cover-up? The Minister also said that the MOD has no plans to develop a compensation scheme for either the Veterans or their families. Note, no apology! The turn of phrase is obviously provided by puppet masters hiding behind their concrete barricades in London. How can we trust the authority when they do not even respect the Nuclear Veterans and their families who have suffered so much for nearly 80 years?

It is interesting to note that other countries have paid compensation to veterans, including the United States of America. For some reason, our country, the UK, is loath to accept responsibility for paying any compensation despite money being flung far and wide from their magic money tree!

Even the Hillsborough Law, or The Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, to give it its correct title, is taking eons to be completed. It has experienced parliamentary delays to address amendments regarding national security. Sir Kier Starmer needs to do the decent thing and keep the promise he made to the Nuclear Veterans to meet with them. It will probably only take a couple of hours of his time, and at least then, gain the trust and respect of the nuclear veterans and their families.

Personally, I think the whole situation stinks! If I, as a civilian, committed the atrocities that veterans have suffered and then tried to cover them up, I would be prosecuted and probably given a custodial sentence. So where’s the justice in all this? How can I have trust and respect for those hiding behind concrete barriers and who are continually conservative with the truth?

Captain Terry Hughes

Nuclear Test Veteran