Nuclear Tests Veterans – Manchester, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 28.726 W 002° 14.587
30U E 550231 N 5925798
Between 1952 and 1962 Britain carried out a number of nuclear explosion tests on various Pacific Islands.
Members of the armed forces were used to observe the effects of these explosions.
Waymark Code: WMBCW4
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/07/2011
Views: 5
This marble marker commemorates all those veterans who have since died.
The men who were used to observe the explosions wore no protective equipment and indeed often wore shorts and sandals.
In later years a number of veterans experienced various illnesses and a number died. The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association believes that a lot of these illnesses and deaths were caused by exposure to radiation during the tests.
The British Government and the Ministry of Defence have always denied that the tests were the cause and the number of men affected are no greater than would happen by pure chance.
The main reasoning is that the observers were far enough away that they would have received immeasurably small doses of radiation.
In 1998 the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of the Ministry of Defence.
The veterans association is still campaigning for compensation for what they believe are victims of the tests.
In 2014 this monument was moved from the centre of St. Peter's Square to its current position when the tram system was expanded.
Type of Memorial: Non-Specific Memorial
In Honor Of: BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS
Marker Text:
BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS
VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Dedicated To The Memory Of
Test Veterans Who Have Died
Since the British Tests At
MONTE BELLO, EMU FIELDS,
MARALINGA, MALDEN ISLAND
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
1952 – 1962
Not Forgotten
3rd October 1996
Date of dedication: 3rd October 1996
Who Put it Here?: BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Description of Memorial:
The plaque is located in the Peace Garden at the back of Manchester Town Hall, near St. Peter’s Square.
It is a small black marble stone laying flat on the ground.
This monument was removed when the tram system was expanded.
Wars mentioned (Multi-war only): Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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