Page 25 - BNVTA News November 2020

were only 250 British servicemen on Christmas Island made up of all three branches of the British Military. All of us were accommodated at Port London. Those of us that were employed at the airfield were bussed to our various places of work each morning; departure times depended on whether we were sending an aircraft to Hawaii or receiving one back.
Prior to the arrival of the US personnel, Main Camp had to be re-activated and made fit to be lived in, it had been unoccupied since the British Grapple Tests. In early 1962 US aircraft began arriving bringing in equipment, supplies and personnel that we were advised were for the proposed Nuclear Bomb tests. We later discovered the tests were to be called Operation Dominic by the US the British element was called Operation Brigadoon.
For two weeks, due to the US not sending any ground crew, we had
to handle a large number of USAF aircraft daily stretching our limited manpower as we still had our own aircraft to maintain. Eventually the situation was resolved and things returned to “normal”. An interesting fact: there were more US military personnel brought in on the first three transports than we had in all three branches of the British military resident on the Island.
As the build-up to the tests began
in earnest, the US Airforce set up a mobile weather station, aircraft arrived that would fly through the mushroom cloud and collect samples, a decontamination site was prepared and lots of restricted areas were established.
Prior to the tests proper a series of High Explosive “dummy runs” took place and we learned to take notice of “Mahatma”, the code name for the
control centre, when he broadcast information.
I was one of those who witnessed the full suite of Operation Dominic tests. As the countdown progressed, we would assemble on the soccer pitch wearing our standard tropical uniform consisting long trousers
and long-sleeved shirt, our safety equipment consisted of a pair of dark goggles and a radiation film badge. We sat on the ground with our backs to the blast, we had no idea what safety precautions were
in place for the Gilbert and Ellis Islanders in the neighbouring village.
When the countdown reached zero there was a very loud “bang”, the sky would change from black to bright blue as though the sun had been turned on, this effect caused some people to refer to the test weapons as “buckets of sunshine”. As the fireball dissipated, we were permitted to turn and look at it keeping our goggles on. A short time later we would feel the effects of the blast in the form of a strong gust of wind. The sight was quite breath-taking, the variety of colours changed as the glow dissipated and the mushroom cloud developed, and were quite spectacular. I recall thinking that this weapon would deter anyone from using a similar weapon in anger.
As the tests progressed, we became rather blasé and did not bother to get out of bed, we just put on our goggles and turned over with our backs to the explosion and wait for the fireball to dissipate. Once the event was over, we would dress, have breakfast and our normal working day would continue as though nothing had happened.
Over the years, during my time in the Royal Air Force, I would come to service some of the types of aircraft
that would, potentially, be the platform to deliver such a weapon. I am not qualified to state positively the medical legacy of these tests, I can only give you my opinions. These opinions are based on my own experiences and information gleaned from interaction with veterans and descendants in my role as secretary of the BNTVA.
Many veterans have stated that their descendants have developed either benign or malignant growths, or both, that could be attributed to excessive exposure to nuclear radiation. My own son, at the age of 14, developed a tumour on the wall of his carotid artery, subsequent removal and analysis revealed it to be benign. My daughter has had several lumps in her breasts again, all have been proven to be benign. Other veterans, sadly, experienced their wives having unplanned pregnancy terminations and the distress associated with such an event.
Both veterans and their descendants have developed unusual cancers which may or may not be attributed to radiation exposure. Some veterans have suffered various mental health issues such as depression, displays of guilt, which have been reflected in attitudes towards family members. In extremes, some have succumbed to taking their own lives, others have taken to drink or drugs.
Although many veterans show obvious pride in their military service despite the fact that many were
conscripted into the armed forces, many also feel responsible for the effect their presents at nuclear tests may have had on loved ones. 1st/2nd/3rd generation descents have also exhibited mental and physical issues similar to, what we now know as, PTSD.”
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