Page 17 - CAMPAIGN Spring 2021

The Queen’s Tree, Christmas Island
As some of you will no doubt remember, on 13 April 1959, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Christmas Island and planted a Scots Pine tree. This tree has affectionately been called the Queen’s Tree by the Islanders ever since. We have seen an increasing number of pictures on Facebook from veterans who have shared their photographs of this tree and its planting over the past few weeks.
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On 17 February, the day after 99-year old Prince Philip was last admitted to hospital, the Queen’s Tree completely tumbled during the night. Our BNTVA Ambassador and Operation Dominic veteran, David Taunt, and our Treasurer and Operation Grapple veteran, Ron Watson, are in regular contact with Christmas Islanders, and David was informed by Teeua about the falling of the tree.
A meeting of the islands was convened in late February to talk about what should happen regarding the tree and any replacement, and David and Ron communicated with the Senior Officer of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati, Mr Tekonaba Teburea and Teeua about ideas including the BNTVA.
David wrote to Her Majesty the Queen on 1 March, on behalf of the BNTVA, to inform her about the
demise of the tree, and request permission to provide a new tree.
The Queen responded on 15 March, via her Assistant Private Secretary, giving her blessing on a replacement being purchased and placed by the BNTVA. Her Majesty also gives her warmest wishes to all at the British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association, which, we are delighted in hearing.
The purchaser of the tree will be John Lax, our Vice Chair and Operation Dominic veteran, and, at
present, we have yet to establish the costs of transport, which will be funded by the BNTVA. It has since been agreed that the Association will purchase a new tree from Fiji, which will be sprayed and sent to Kiritimati when the Covid-19 restrictions are eased. There is discussion at present to construct seating out of the old tree to surround the new tree. Talks are ongoing.
CAMPAIGN SPRING 2021