Report calls for stronger engagement with Nuclear Test Veterans in shaping policy

Stronger policymaker engagement with British Nuclear Test Veterans is needed to recognise their service and improve their wellbeing, according to a new report published by researchers at the University of South Wales and the University of Liverpool.

The landmark project, An Oral History of British Nuclear Test Veterans, documents the experiences of military and civilian personnel who took part in British nuclear test operations between 1952 and 1967.

The £250,000 project, funded by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, aims to formally recognise test veterans for their service in Australia and the Pacific, alongside the Nuclear Test Medal for UK and Commonwealth personnel.

Now in their eighties and nineties, British nuclear test veterans shared their memories across 41 in-depth life stories, from their hopes as young servicemen to their reflections in later life.

Professor Chris Hill, researcher in History at USW, said: “The final report documents our programme of interviews with British nuclear test veterans and explains how these have been developed into educational resources, an interactive website, a project film, and a permanent online archive at the British Library.

“Drawing on the project’s findings, methods and outputs, the report also presents a series of recommendations. Chief among these is the potential of oral history to strengthen policymaker engagement with veterans, as well as to enhance veteran wellbeing in personal, public and social contexts.”

Dr Jonathan Hogg, senior lecturer in 20^th Century History at the University of Liverpool, added: “It has been a real privilege to be part of this important and timely 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 recognised, remembered and studied for years to come. We would like to thank everyone who took part in the project.”

The full project report is available to download here: An Oral History of British Nuclear Test Veterans - final report

The project website, Voices of British Nuclear Test Veterans, forms part of the archive of life stories, curated by National Life Stories, the oral history charity at the British Library.

A short film, The Greatest Force on Earth, was created for the project by BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Sasha Snow, and focuses on the personal journey of royal engineer Frank Bools.

In addition, the project team has worked with LABRATS International – a campaign group dedicated to raising awareness of the Atomic and Nuclear testing programmes throughout history – to develop downloadable lesson packs for schoolchildren aged 14 and up, which form part of the Welsh Baccalaureate syllabus.