Scotland’s nuclear test veterans have revealed mixed emotions over a special medal to be awarded to mark their service after 70 years of campaigning.
Downing Street last week announced that veterans – who describe themselves as guinea pigs – took part in the UK’s controversial nuclear testing programme will receive a new medal after a battle for recognition.
But one of the UK’s leading campaigners for nuclear test veterans Ken McGinley, who now has stage four lung and kidney cancer and witnessed five nuclear bomb tests, said he was ambivalent about the gesture from the UK Government.
McGinley, 84, who was instrumental in setting up the British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association in 1983, said: “I really have mixed emotions about it. This medal will be a commemorative medal and not a campaign medal so you will need to apply for it.
“I had the greatest respect for the Queen so I don’t know if I will apply, I might. It is up to each person. It shows that there is some light at the end of the tunnel but this is just the start of the process.
“We want things like an apology, compensation and a full public inquiry into the treatment of nuclear test veterans.
“The issuing of a medal is an easy option but it’s hopefully the beginning of getting justice.”
© Andrew Cawley
McGinley witnessed nuclear bomb blasts which were much bigger than Hiroshima or Nagasaki during his military service.
About 22,000 people will be eligible for the Nuclear Test Medal, introduced to mark 70 years since the first test. Downing Street said the honour commemorates contributions by members of the armed forces, scientists and workers from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati.
The announcement was made at a service held at the National Memorial Arboretum on Monday. The medal can also be awarded posthumously to veterans’ families. The first will be given out next year.
Dave Whyte, 85, of Kirkcaldy, blames his exposure to the fallout from five British atomic and hydrogen bomb blasts at Christmas Island in 1958 for a number of health problems.
He was just 21 when as a Royal Engineers soldier, he cleaned up bomb debris. He suffered stomach problems, became infertile and lost all his teeth.
He said: “What we need now is a genuine apology for the trauma caused. I will not be celebrating until I get the medal in my hand and compensation for the ailments they caused.
“In the UK we have some of the finest service personnel in the world and they are administered by inveterate liars.
“I was assigned to enter Ground Zero two hours after the detonation of atomic bombs – Pennant and Burgee – to pick up all the radioactive debris scattered around Ground Zero, load it into my truck and deliver it to the decontamination centre. I was denied any protective clothing.
“I also have a Medical Release Certificate that is a forgery. I have given proof the certificate is a forgery, but they will not listen.”
UK Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said: “This medal will be a lasting symbol of their sacrifice and I look forward to meeting veterans wearing the medal with pride in the future.”
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