Nuclear Test Medal honour for RAF veteran Brian Hunter, 86

Brian Hunter, of Oulton, Lowestoft, spent almost a year at Christmas Island and was part of Operation Grapple - the British nuclear weapons tests - in 1958.

The Nuclear Test Medal was announced by the Government in November 2022 after years of campaigning.

At a short reception at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club following the Remembrance Sunday service in Lowestoft, the Lord-Lieutenant for Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, presented Mr Hunter with the Nuclear Test Medal.

The Lord-Lieutenant for Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston presents Brian Hunter with the Nuclear Test Medal. Picture: Charlotte McGuinness - Bishy Barnabee Photography (Image: Charlotte McGuinness - Bishy Barnabee Photography)

A reception was then held at Lord Kitchener Memorial Holiday Centre with Mr Hunter, his wife Sheila, relatives, friends and fellow Rotarians attending.

Jim Lavery, Chair of Lowestoft RAF Association, with Brian Hunter. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With the Nuclear Test Medal presented to recognise the significant contribution of Nuclear Test veterans who contributed to the British testing of atomic and hydrogen bombs in the Pacific Ocean in the 1950s and 1960s, Mr Hunter said: “As far as I am aware I am the only ex-serviceman in the Lowestoft vicinity who was at Christmas Island.

Nuclear testing. Picture: Courtesy of Brian Hunter (Image: Courtesy of Brian Hunter)

"I am delighted to finally be awarded the medal, but its existence is also recognition of those thousands of servicemen who took part in the trials 65 years ago and for some of them there were severe medical repercussions."

Having served in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force from 1955 to 1957, Mr Hunter then started National Service as a RAF (Air Defence Radar Operator).

Brian Hunter. Picture: Courtesy of Brian Hunter (Image: Courtesy of Brian Hunter)

After six weeks initial training at RAF Bridgenorth, he was posted to RAF Neatishead (radar station) and billeted at RAF Coltishall.

Brian Hunter. Picture: Courtesy of Brian Hunter (Image: Courtesy of Brian Hunter)

At the most recent reception, with the help of Jim Lavery, chair of Lowestoft RAF Association, Mr Hunter dressed in a borrowed uniform and re-enacted his call up to go to the South Pacific.

Jim Lavery, Chair of Lowestoft RAF Association, and Brian Hunter in authentic RAF uniform role playing being given his orders to go to Christmas Island. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

'Numerous big bangs'

Mr Hunter added: "We were at Christmas Island for nearly a year with numerous big bangs that were part of a test programme testing for hydrogen and atomic bombs.

Brian Hunter. Picture: Courtesy of Brian Hunter (Image: Courtesy of Brian Hunter)

"We didn’t know anything about radiation.

"I was demobbed in 1959, three months after returning to the UK, and went back to the printing trade eventually helping to run a printing business in Lowestoft.

Brian Hunter was demobbed in 1959. Picture: Courtesy of Brian Hunter (Image: Courtesy of Brian Hunter)

"The Labour party then gave me a job for 12 years, I was elected to two councils and all memories of Christmas Island faded away.

"But during that time we started to hear stories of veterans from the Island and their offspring who had been on Christmas Island and were not very well or had abnormalities suspected to be due to radiation.

"I tried to find others in this area who served.

"I am aware of someone in North Norfolk and another in Ipswich, but it would be very interesting to know if anyone else in the Lowestoft area is also to receive the medal?"