Landmark research captures the forgotten voices of British nuclear test veterans

A landmark oral history project exploring the lives of British nuclear test veterans has been showcased with a special event at the British Library in London.

Seun Pinheiro © British Library Board  

Entitled An Oral History of British Nuclear Test Veterans, the two-year project has been led by the University of South Wales in partnership with the University of Liverpool and National Life Stories, the oral history fieldwork charity based at the British Library.

In 2021, The Office for Veterans’ Affairs announced both the £250,000 funding of the research and a Nuclear Test Medal for UK and Commonwealth personnel, to formally recognise the service of test veterans seven decades on from their service in Australia and the Pacific.

Now in their eighties and nineties, British nuclear test veterans have been sharing their memories of experiencing nuclear explosions up to 200 times more powerful than the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima on 4 August 1945.

From the stunning appearance of the mushroom cloud to long-term health concerns linked to radioactive fallout, these veterans’ lives have been profoundly shaped by their encounters with nuclear weapons.

Across 41 in-depth life stories, the research explores the history of nuclear testing within the personal contexts of veterans’ lives, from their hopes as young servicemen to their reflections in later life. By doing so, the research contributes to the social history of post-war Britain, whilst also enhancing recognition of test veterans themselves.

The British Library event, ‘Veterans’ Voices: Legacies of Britain’s Nuclear Testing Programme’, brought together veterans, researchers and the public to mark this important step in preserving and recognising the voices of a generation.

The event, which took place on Friday 12 September, saw the launch of a new British Library website drawn from the oral history interviews, as well as the premiere of the project film, The Greatest Force on Earth. Edited and directed by the BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Sasha Snow, the short film highlights the life history method of the project by focusing on the personal journey of one veteran, royal engineer Frank Bools (pictured above left, with Group Captain Barry Titchen and David Farnell).

Seun Pinheiro © British Library Board  

The archive of life history recordings will ensure that British nuclear test veterans will not be forgotten. The full oral history testimonies will be free to access via the British Library from early 2026 and will offer a foundation for further research, education and public outreach.

The project team have already drawn on the archive to create the website, film, and downloadable lesson packs, and through additional funding from the University of Liverpool, a comic will be available on the website from November 2025.

Associate Professor Chris Hill, researcher in History at USW, said: “From living rooms across the length and breadth of the country, British nuclear test veterans in their eighties and nineties have spoken about the terrifying power of nuclear weapons, as well as the lingering dread of the fallout they produce.

“Their words, captured on recordings for the sake of posterity, will echo down the generations, enabling researchers, students and the wider public to understand British nuclear testing through the personal lens of an individual’s life story. These recordings are about much more than nuclear tests; they are about how these tests touched lives, marking the health, hopes, loves and losses of veterans and their families.”

Dr Jon Hogg, senior lecturer in History at the University of Liverpool, added: “It has been a real privilege to be part of this important project, and getting to know so many nuclear test veterans and their families has been very special. The project team has worked hard to create a set of resources that will ensure nuclear test veteran stories and experiences will be remembered and studied for years to come. We would like to thank everyone who took part in the project.”

Mary Stewart, Director of National Life Stories and Lead Curator of Oral History at the British Library, said: “We are proud that the partnership with National Life Stories at the British Library has enabled us to add these important testimonies to the national collection.

“Researchers now and in the future will be able to appreciate the experiences of veterans – of the tests and the subsequent impact of the tests throughout their lives. We are grateful to our partners, the skilled researchers and – most importantly – the generosity of the veterans in recording their stories.”

Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns, added: “This oral history project preserves the voices of veterans who helped to establish Britain’s nuclear deterrent - a programme that has kept our nation safe for over seven decades. By collecting the personal testimonies of those who served our country, we can ensure their crucial contribution to our national security will be remembered for generations to come. I encourage everyone to engage with this important project when it becomes available through the British Library.”