Page 17 - BNVTA CAMPAIGN Summer 2020

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overflowed. Also, small domestic boilers weren’t working efficiently.
My sapper electricians cut back the foliage after getting permission to enter the village. In the power station I found vibration from the diesel engines was the problem.
I removed all electrics from the generators and installed them some distance from the generators.
Back to the sewage problem...
As other engineers had worked on the problem over the years, I assumed the fault was in the initial installation. I stood there for about 2 hours thinking. Suddenly, there it was before my eyes - the NRV had been installed the wrong way round.
I corrected this and the problem was solved. The domestic
boilers only needed flames adjusting.
To pass the time, I decided to go dinghy racing, fishing, water skiing and joined the Go Kart racing team. Then, in early 1962, Operation Dominic was announced.
For my Sapper electricians and myself, all sport stopped. Our task was to take the main camp out of mothballs. We had to prepare the power station, sewage/water system, hospital, cookhouse, cinema, barracks accommodation, etc, ready for the USA military and American Nuclear Authority. We were assisted by some American civilian electricians. We worked 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. Including lighting for extension of US Navy additional squadron aircraft parking at the airport.
Everything was ready on time.
I witnessed the detonation of 24 nuclear bombs.
After I arrived home in August 1962, I received a letter telling me I had been honoured with the MBE for my work on Christmas Island.
At the time of writing this story, I am isolated because of the coronavirus. I am 95 years old.
by Kenneth Bainger MBE
BNTVA STORIES