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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: lisduggan on Tuesday 02 May 06 19:23 BST (UK)

Title: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Tuesday 02 May 06 19:23 BST (UK)
My late Brother was out there can any one help out on this .
Irish,
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: liverpool annie on Tuesday 02 May 06 20:53 BST (UK)



What do you want to know Irish ? if tell us what you want - maybe somebody can help !

If you just want general information - if you Google - you'll find quite a bit on the subject !

Annie  :)
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Thudnut on Tuesday 02 May 06 20:55 BST (UK)
Irish,
I'm sorry to hear about your brother.

Perhaps this site will help you : http://www.bntva.com/

Thudders
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Wednesday 03 May 06 19:07 BST (UK)
Hi Thudders
many thanks for your reply re/atomic test I will get on to the web site you sent for info/re /the above topic.
regards
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Wednesday 03 May 06 19:20 BST (UK)
Hi Annie .
re/ the above  my late Brother was on HMS Narvik and would  like to here from  his former shipmates and info re/ the test It his Anniiversary this month.many thanks for your reply.
regards
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Thudnut on Wednesday 03 May 06 23:28 BST (UK)
You are welcome, Irish.

Try registering on Forces Reunited and contacting some of these chaps:
http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk/namearchive/units/HMSNames/HMS-Narvik.html

I hope you find what you are looking for.
Thudders
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Tralee on Thursday 04 May 06 15:54 BST (UK)
Hello Irish My husband was on HMS Warrior which was out there at the same time as the Narvik.Warrior also has a website atwww.hmswarrior.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Its also worth joining the BNTVA as they sometimes print
letters and photographs sent in by members who were on HMS Narvik.My husband thinks that either the chairman or a member of the committee of the BNTVA was on the Narvik.
Since the 1960s my husband has not enjoyed good health but things have become chronic during the last five years.
New Zealand television have made a documentry about their sailors who were on the some trials.Real eyeopener.
Also thankyou to Graceland who was kind enough to let me know about this discussion Regards Tralee

Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Thursday 04 May 06 17:45 BST (UK)
Hello Tralee 
many thanks for your reply I was sorry to hear of your husband healt please give  him my regards My late Brother Died in 1992 age 55yrs   he had cancer and only lived for six months  I will think of your husband whenI attend mass this weekend. all the best for now.
regards.
Irish
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Tralee on Friday 05 May 06 13:40 BST (UK)
Thankyou Irish ive sent you an email relating to the various health problems suffered by some of the nucleur test veterans Regards Tralee
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Friday 05 May 06 18:02 BST (UK)
Hello Tralee.
thank you for your reply mylate Brother bart never spoke about atomic test It was not until 1992 when I knew how 
sick he was he was .he never married he lived with other late Brother who passed away  three years after him  Ialso note that one other salior died the same year as did one from HMS Warrior  Iwonder how many are still alive from
Narvik/Warrior to day bart died of ThroatCancer .once again
thank you for all help  regards to your husband take care.
regards
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Tralee on Saturday 06 May 06 08:08 BST (UK)
Thanks for that Irish
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: jinks on Saturday 06 May 06 08:29 BST (UK)
I know personally one person who was stationed
on a island near to Christmas Island,

the only thing he has mentioned was that when the
blast went off he had to turn his back and put a card/hands over his face but he could still see the blast.

I dont know if I have described this well, but he
has only mentioned it once.

I have not named him for privacy issues.

Jinks

Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Saturday 06 May 06 13:13 BST (UK)
Hello Tralee
your are welcom take care
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Saturday 06 May 06 13:31 BST (UK)
Hello Jinks
I seen photos taken on board Narvik where some of the crew also had ther backs turn away from from the blast thank you reply.
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Grapple on Saturday 06 May 06 14:04 BST (UK)
Hi all.   I was on HMS Warrior from Feb-Oct 57 for the Grapple Nuclear Tests as an aircraft electrician and a number of ex Warriors and other service has crossed the bar with various nuclear related illnesses.  I now administrate an association for ex Warriors and Narvik also have one run by a couple in Peterborough.  There is also a website of interest at

www.christmas-island.org

give it look.   The BNTV are a good organisation in seeking compensation for those that have died and have illnesses, its worth contacting.

I would like to hear from any ex Warriors
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Saturday 06 May 06 21:07 BST (UK)
Hi grapple
I will  log on to the web site you sent and will try and obtain some more  info/re/the above topic I appreiciate your help on this  all the best for now.
regards
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Sunday 07 May 06 10:42 BST (UK)
Hi Tralee,
Grapple was on to me yesterday I will  log on to the BNTV site to get more info/re/ the test hope to have some more news soon.Take care regards to all .
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Tralee on Sunday 07 May 06 18:35 BST (UK)
Hello Irish Todays Mail on Sunday newspaper has an interesting article on the test veterans.Tralee
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Grapple on Monday 08 May 06 11:55 BST (UK)
Hi lisduggan.    Have you found what you were looking for, if not I may be able to help further when I return mid May.   I will try and find the Narvik association for you.   If there is anything else you require let me know as it would seem that of those you have spoken to I am the only one who was there.   Let me know
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Monday 08 May 06 19:32 BST (UK)
Hi Tralee.
unable to get mail on Sunday here thank you for your reply
take care .
regards.
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Monday 08 May 06 19:58 BST (UK)
Hi Grapple
Idid try to obatain some info/re/the above some years ago  I sent off some letters igot back some replys  I then details of my  Late Brothers to the Narvik Association  in the hope of getting info/back but had no offers It his !14th Anniversary next week  Iwould like to know  If his Illness was due to the test . many thanks for your help on this .I would Appreiciate any help you can give.all the best
Regards
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Tralee on Tuesday 09 May 06 17:17 BST (UK)
Hello Irish The article in the Mail on Sunday said that a top London law firm is taking on the case of the veterans.Evidence uncovered in New Zealand now shows that  a test on fifty veterans has shown that their chromosomes and genetic make up has been altered as a result of these nuclear tests and that the claim against the MoD is that they were used as human guinea pigs.As well as the British and New Zealanders there are also Fijians involved.The writ against the MoD will claim that the Ministry knew or should have known the potnntially damaging effects of exposure to ionising radiation and that they the MoD failed to consider the health, safety and wellbeing of these servicemen.

These veterans have not been treated well over the years
so lets hope that they have justice soon
Regards Tralee
 
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: M.T.H on Tuesday 09 May 06 17:49 BST (UK)
Hi folks,

I've scanned the article from the Mail. If anyone would like to read it, PM me with an email address and I'll send it to you.

Mick :)
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Tralee on Tuesday 09 May 06 18:54 BST (UK)
Thanks Mick it makes interesting reading dont you think
Regards Tralee
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Tuesday 09 May 06 19:48 BST (UK)
Hi Tralee
thank you for the print out  you read in the mail on sunday 
re/ the atomic test  after fifty years  its about time that some thing is seen  to be done  for the  them  at last  I am grateful to you all  for the help you given me on this issue
regards to all  take care.
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Tuesday 09 May 06 20:24 BST (UK)
Hi M.T.H.
hope I got this right thank you for your reply re/ the article in the mail re/ the test Tralee had was on to me about it and sent me the details about It  once again many thanks
regards
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: goggy on Saturday 27 May 06 07:26 BST (UK)
Sorry to take so long in joining this thread,memory ain't what it used to be.
So out with all the shoe boxes!
May 1956 is the date,printed about in the Liverpool Echo,July 1 1988.The B.N.T.V.A is named,Chairman,Ken McGinley.
My Brother was aboard H.M.S.DIANA at this time,his youngest son was diagnosed earl with sPina Bifida,thank's to an Australin Surgeon his was life was prolonged far beyond the norm.My Brother himself has suffered Heart trouble,3 bypasses I think,but is still getting along "reasonably" well.
One other 'guinea pig',a workmate,is now in later life conscious of accererated tooth decay,all slowly turning to 'chalk
,he doesn't want to know about his bone's!
That's my contribution,join the Association and have your say,get your Rellie's name down.They arent giving up!!
         Goggy. >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Saturday 27 May 06 14:17 BST (UK)
Hello Goggy .
many thanks for your reply Re/ the Atomic Test 57/58/ I will Indeed contact Mr Mc Ginley on how to join the Assoction and get more information on It  It the least i can do for my late Brother will get back to you soon If I get any news all the best for now.
Regards.
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: goggy on Sunday 28 May 06 05:08 BST (UK)
Best of Luck Irish!!
                 Goggy. ;) ;D
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Sunday 28 May 06 19:28 BST (UK)
Hi Goggy.
thank you  for your reply.
Regards
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Tuesday 30 May 06 19:01 BST (UK)
Hi
I need to log unto to the BNTVA web site  can anyone help  meout on this please.
Regards. Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: PrueM on Tuesday 30 May 06 22:47 BST (UK)
Hello Irish,

I thought I would check the National Archives of Australia for you, as Christmas Island is now an Australian territory (don't know that it was then...) and found a few records which may be of interest to you.  If you go to this page:

http://www.naa.gov.au/the_collection/recordsearch.html

And click on "Search Now as Guest", put "atomic Christmas" into the Keyword Search box, you should get 13 hits for items.  Try different search terms as well, and you might get more.  You can also contact the reference service at the NAA, because there are alot of records in the collection that are not yet described in the online database, and they will be able to help you find more.

I hope that helps  :)

Prue
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Friday 02 June 06 20:52 BST (UK)
Hi PrueM
Many thanks for the information re/ atomic test Christmas Island I will log onto that site  for some more details. all the best.
Regards
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Monday 05 June 06 19:09 BST (UK)
Hi Grapple.
not sure if you are back  but i will need  some more information from you re/ HMS narivk   can you get back to me please
Regards.
Irish..
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: Rewcastle on Tuesday 06 June 06 23:25 BST (UK)
Hi Grapple,

 My dad went out in '58 for Operation Grapple, he was in the RAF based on the Island. He witnessed 2 A bomb and 3 H bomb tests. he died in '98 aged 60 yrs.

I have his Kitbag, it has a painting of the Frigate bird with an anchor as it's claws and Grapple underneath.

The Palms of his hands were pressed deep into his eye sockets and he had his back to the blast and he saw an xray of his hands.

A top secret document now released stated that they were to test the effects of the bombs on machinary and personel.

Regards,
Rewcastle.
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Wednesday 07 June 06 20:10 BST (UK)
Hi Rewcastle
Thanks for your reply sorry to here about your father my brother also died 1992 age 55  and he was at sea with HMS Narvik at that time   all the best for now
Regards
Irish.
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: smurphy on Thursday 08 June 06 11:23 BST (UK)
Hi
My Uncle was on HMS Diana as well.  He's never had children of his own and been battling cancer in various parts of his body for many years, yesterday after afew years of peace he was told it's now in his bowel.  He won't talk much about what happened so i've been researching it myself. I can't believe this was allowed to happen.
Title: Re: Atomic test christmas Island 1957/58
Post by: lisduggan on Thursday 08 June 06 19:05 BST (UK)
Hi
thank you for your reply i am sorry to here about your uncle hope things will work out for him like my Brother never once did he talk  about what happen out there It was only after his death that i to began to Researching his time  on HMS narvik  other people sent me some information on this event please let me know if any other info/re/test come to hand all the best for now.
Regards
Irish..