Nuclear test veterans left to organise their own medal ceremonies

30 October 2023 , 15:35

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Nuclear veterans Eric Barton, left, and Gordon Coggon, right, arranged their own presentation ceremony for their new medal (Image: Andy Stenning)

Nuclear veterans have been presented with medals by the King's representatives - after the government failed to get the monarch to do it.

Survivors of Britain's atomic testing programme won a gong last year after a four-year campaign by the Mirror, and it was one of King Charles' first acts as sovereign to approve it.

Earlier this year, we reported that friends of His Majesty had said he wanted to commemorate the medal properly, and was leaving space in his diary for an investiture-style ceremony.

But it was never organised, and now Lord Lieutenants across England have stepped up to do the job instead.

Test veteran Eric Barton is presented with his medal by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Adrian Hunt, as fellow veteran Gordon Coggon looks on

This week Gordon Coggon of Doncaster and Eric Barton of Worksop were both presented with their gongs by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Major Adrian Hunt, in a special ceremony.

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Gordon, 86, was incensed that there was to be no national event to mark a medal that had been so long in coming, and so wrote to the king's regional representative to see if one could be organised locally. He was only too happy to agree, issuing a special invitation to the gilt-covered Mansion House in Doncaster for the honour.

Eric said afterwards: "It makes a big difference to have a fuss made, rather than just drop on the doormat. It makes what we did more important. All the veterans and families should be able to have a bit of a do."

Last week, Op Grapple veteran Jackson Hasson had a presentation in his Glasgow care home with Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Colonel Peter McCarthy, after his daughter asked the home to arrange something.

Jackson Hasson received his medal from Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Col Peter McCarthy (© Jamie Williamson)

Christmas Island veterans Gordon Coggon, left, and Eric Barton, right, with their new medals after the presentation (Andy Stenning)

A total of 3,198 medals have been applied for, with 1,060 sent out already by post. Around 1,000 applications were made by next of kin on behalf of a deceased relative, with about two-thirds going to survivors.

Campaigner Alan Owen said: "Our veterans and their families are having to request these ceremonies themselves, because they rightly feel that after 70 years of waiting it's only right there's some pomp attached to these very important medals.

"It's a great shame the government wasn't able to organise something similar on a national level, especially when the King - and as we can see, his regional representatives - are only too happy to give these men the full honours they deserve."

In the past week, the Office of Veterans Affairs has sent emails to a small group of randomly-chosen veterans inviting them to a 90-minute reception at the end of November to mark the medal. Despite requests, officials have refused to say how many are invited, the format of the event, or whether Royalty, the Prime Minister or media will attend.

Dozens of veterans are expected to march at the Cenotaph next month wearing their new medal. Shortly before it was announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Mirror revealed allegations of criminality, with blood and urine tests taken from servicemen during the weapons programme being unlawfully withheld.

Sunak promised to meet the veterans to discuss it, but has since said he's too busy. New Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has ignored requests to hold a meeting. The veterans are now crowdfunding to pay for a High Court case to force the Ministry of Defence to publish the records.

* You can donate to the case here

Susie Boniface