Veterans undeterred by 1950s nuclear test ruling

Atomic bomb test veterans from Dundee and Kirkcaldy say they will continue their fight for the truth after top judges dashed their hopes of compensation.

From footage of Christmas Island bomb 'Grapple Y', the largest nuclear test conducted by Britain.

By Kieran Andrews
Published in the Courier : 23.11.10
Published online : 23.11.10 @ 08.31pm

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The Appeal Court acknowledged the strength of feeling of more than 1000 ex-services personnel who believe they are still paying the price for radiation exposure during the tests in the Pacific and mainland Australia in the 1950s.

However, the judges ruled that the vast majority of the compensation claims against the Ministry of Defence had been brought to court too late and many veterans' arguments that the fallout caused a wide range of medical conditions were "not strong."

The veterans had been given hope last year when the High Court paved the way for them and their families to pursue claims. But the Appeal Court said on Monday that of 10 cases spearheading the group action, only one — that of Hertfordshire man, Herbert Sinfield — can proceed to a full hearing on merit.

Tom Malone (72) said his life has been blighted by exposure to radioactive fallout and that he will appeal against the ruling.

Mr Malone served on Christmas Island during the 1957 nuclear tests and he believes that insufficient safeguards were put in place for the troops stationed there at that time.

'Guinea pig'

Many people, including researchers based in Dundee, believe this has led to deteriorating health among the veterans and Mr Malone said he was used as a "guinea pig" during the testing.

He said, "I spoke to my solicitor and we are going to appeal. When we went to Christmas Island we didn't know what was happening, we just got told when we got there. We were nine months on the island. We never saw any of the big brass out there and they sent the natives away."

Mr Malone said he developed a medical problem with his glands after he left Christmas, which eventually led to him being discharged from the RAF, although he continued to work for many years afterwards.

"I joined the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Society and found everyone had a similar complaint to mine," he added. "They called it a scientific experiment and we were the guinea pigs. They refused to give us any medical records to prove we weren't radiated.

"As far as I'm concerned, it was a crime against me and a crime against all those who were based there."

David Whyte (74), from Kirkcaldy, has vowed to keep pursuing his claim. He told The Courier, "They (the government) are hoping all the veterans will just die off but I have all my documents and my nephew will carry on after me.