More veterans who helped Britain and the US establish the nuclear
bomb are to receive a medal for their contribution, the
government announced.
The criteria to receive the commemorative Nuclear Test Medal has
now been expanded, allowing veterans who supported the United
States' atmospheric nuclear test programme to be eligible for
medallic recognition.
The review follows an urgent direction from Defence Secretary
to look again at the Nuclear
Test Medal criteria – a clear signal that this Government will
always stand up for those who serve our country.
Minister for Veterans and People awarded the first medal under the new criteria to
Squadron Leader Peters yesterday, at the veteran's home in
Lakenheath, Suffolk.
Squadron Leader Peters took part in American tests in 1954, along
with his RAF comrades, flying high-altitude air sampling missions
in his Canberra aircraft to gather vital information.
Minister for Veterans and People said:
“The work that the Nuclear Test veterans did in taking part in
the UK's nuclear tests, laid the foundation for the decades of
security and safety that our society benefits from even
today.
“The expanded criteria will now also include those who worked
with our closest ally, the US, during those years of development
and discovery.
“It was an honour to mark this change today by awarding a medal
to Squadron Leader Peters, a former RAF Canberra pilot, who made
a vital contribution to the nuclear programme, as well as his
distinguished service for which he received the Air Force Cross.”
As a result of the changes, which have been agreed by His Majesty
The King, those who played a direct role in the American
atmospheric tests are now also eligible for a Nuclear Test Medal
for the first time.
The Nuclear Test Medal was announced nearly two years ago to
recognise and to commemorate those UK and foreign personnel who
directly contributed to the development of the UK's independent
nuclear deterrent, during the UK atmospheric testing programme in
the 1950s.
Nearly 5,000 veterans and next of kin have been awarded medals so
far.
The Government encourages any veterans, including civilian staff
or their descendants, involved in any of the American atmospheric
tests during the 1950s to apply for their medal through the
Gov.UK website.
Notes to editors
The application form and application process can be found on the
gov.uk website.
