Ronald Clark, an 86-year-old Royal Navy veteran from Gloucestershire, vividly recalls the nuclear bomb detonation he witnessed during Britain’s atomic weapons testing in the 1950s. Now, he is demanding proper compensation and recognition for the countless servicemen who faced grave health consequences from their exposure to radioactive fallout.
Between 1952 and 1965, over 22,000 British military personnel participated in nuclear tests and subsequent clean-ups in collaboration with American forces. Veterans from the Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary worked alongside scientists and civilians during this critical but hazardous period, according to the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association. Unfortunately, many of these veterans have since passed away, but those still alive, including Mr. Clark, continue to seek justice.
Mr. Clark was stationed at Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in the Pacific during Operation Grapple in 1957-1958, which involved detonating early atomic and hydrogen bombs. As a young radio operator, he witnessed the bomb’s explosion at close range. “I was 19 and wearing nothing but sandals, shorts, a shirt, and a floppy hat,” he recounts. “When the bomb went off, I saw the bones in my hands from the brightness. The heat blasted my back, and the sky turned bright red. Then a shockwave threw us to the ground, breaking palm trees and tearing down tents.”
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Exposed to contaminated water and fish, Mr. Clark suffered numerous health issues over the decades, including coral poisoning, testicular cancer, chronic digestive problems, and multiple surgeries. One debilitating infection required repeated hospital stays, skin grafts, and painful treatments. “I’ve been in hospital dozens of times over the last 11 years,” he says. “The fallout from those tests has destroyed my health.”
Despite their sacrifices, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has yet to accept responsibility for the veterans’ medical conditions. During a recent session in the House of Commons, Tewkesbury MP Cameron Thomas highlighted Mr. Clark’s plight and called for the government to meet veterans and discuss appropriate compensation. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner acknowledged the issue and expressed willingness for further engagement.
The government is currently reviewing existing records related to medical testing of nuclear test veterans, with updates expected this summer. Efforts to declassify and release documents with necessary privacy and security redactions are underway, aiming to provide greater transparency and address veterans’ concerns.
Mr. Clark urges the government to honor the commitments made to those who served in these perilous conditions. “Prime Minister Starmer talks about protecting veterans,” he says. “But I don’t feel protected. It’s time the government does right by me and my mates who risked their lives for national security.”