Bexhill retired serviceman tells of nuclear test campaign

The Ministry of Defence began a legal bid on Wednesday to de-rail High Court compensation claims by the veterans before they can begin.

As a young Leading Seaman, Malcolm Pike, of Grange Court Drive, was ordered to stand with his shipmates on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier off Christmas Island less than 20 miles from a hydrogen bomb test.

Malcolm, now 73, says he and his colleagues:

*Were given no protective clothing.

*Were ordered to scoop fish killed by blast from the sea and eat them

*Were given no indication of the dangers of radiation

*Were human guinea pigs in three such tests

After his return from the Indian Ocean, Malcolm's wife conceived but '“ like 90% of the wives of returning test veterans '“ suffered a miscarriage.

Malcolm has since suffered five skin cancers and a form of epilepsy but counts himself lucky '“ many of his comrades died young.

Veterans from all parts of the country and who served in all three services '“ Army, Royal Navy and RAF, together with New Zealand and Fijiian claimants, are involved in the landmark compensation case.

Malcolm says compensation is important to many who are suffering but what all are seeking is an admission from the Ministry of Defence that they were treated irresponsibly and an apology.

At the height of the Cold War, Britain conducted around 20 nuclear explosions. The sites included mainland Australia, the Montebello Islands off the west Australian coast and at Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.

Lawyers say the veterans suffered personal injuries of all types, ranging from minor injuries and skin conditions to cancers of the thyroid, liver, intestines and lungs.

Many have died.

It is estimated that the case could cost the MoD hundreds of millions of pounds in damages payouts if it is successful.

Wednesday's hearing was an attempt by MoD lawyers to halt the claim on the basis that the events happened too long ago to be the subject of a compensation claim now.

Veterans like Malcolm who have campaigned for years for their rights say the MoD has acted cynically, hoping to delay action until few of the veterans are left

The Limitation Act 1980 bars compensation claims which have been made after a defined "limitation" period, beginning when the alleged injured party becomes aware that they have a valid claim.

Malcolm Pike, for 29 years the popular steward at Bexhill Conservative Club, served in the Royal Navy from 1950 until 1960.

He said this week: "Basically, we were told nothing.

"Were were told we were going on Operation Grapple, which meant we would witness three H-bomb tests.

"We were told we were going to the Pacific and we just thought 'Oh good...'

"I was a Leading Seaman on HMS Warrior, an aircraft carrier.

"We were all on the upper deck, the flight deck. We were just wearing shirts and trousers. Some had flash suits '“ as they used in World War 11 when they stood at a 4" gun.

"Some had gloves. Others didn't.

"None of us really knew about radiation.

"Each of us had a 'film badge' a piece of Kodak film pinned to our chests. After the test, the badges were all thrown in a bucket. We never knew what they did with them.

"We had to stand with our backs to the bomb tests.

"You felt everything rock in the blast. Then you felt the heat from it.

"You were told 'You can turn round now and watch the mushroom cloud form' -which was awe-inspiring, really. You didn't appreciate then how lethal the damage would be.

"We were told at the time that the bomb was 50 miles away. But when the Freedom of Information Act came out we found out that they were only 12 to 20 miles away.

"After the test were were told to take the boats out and scoop up the dead fish which were floating about after the blast.

"They were later cooked and served to us."

As a member of the British Nuclear Test Veterans' Association, Malcolm has seen many comrades suffer cruelly over the years.

Malcolm suffered skin cancers on his body and face.

In 2000 he suffered a black-out which was later diagnosed as a form of epilepsy. He is now on medication.

"A very good friend of mine when we served on Warrior died a horrible death from cancer. He would only have been 45 or 50.

"The veterans' association is made up of people from all the services. Each time you go to a reunion there are fewer of us left."

A previous association attempt to launch a compensation case came to nothing.

He says MPs of all parties have tried to help them over the years.

Malcolm and Margaret count themselves lucky that their daughter, Barbara, was born before Malcolm was exposed to the radiation.

Margaret says of the MoD: "They don't want to admit that they made a mistake.

"If you took them to court today for a repetitive strain injury you would get thousands of pounds.

"The MoD are not worried about the men or what it did to them.

"I suffered a miscarriage after Malcolm returned. We have since found about that about 90% of the wives of returning test veterans suffered miscarriages.

"It is now affecting other generations '“ the children and grandchildren are dying."

She says the compensation action not just about seeking justice for the men but the children and grandchildren.