A blind veteran from Norfolk has been presented with a medal in recognition of his service during the British Armed Forces nuclear weapon tests in the 1950s.
David Freeman, 85, and from Norwich, attended a ceremony at Norwich City Hall on 15 October and was presented his Nuclear Test Medal by the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Vivien Thomas.
Accompanying him was a volunteer from Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, which has been supporting David following his sight loss.
Operation Grapple saw a series of British nuclear weapons tests carried out close to Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean between 1957 and 1958.
David joined the RAF in 1956 at the age of 17. At 18 he was posted to Christmas Island for nine months and witnessed the testing of a nuclear weapon.
He says:
“I was a safety equipment worker; my role was to maintain the equipment for pilots which wasn’t easy as sea water got into everything.
“We didn’t know what was happening on Christmas Island or what we were up against until we arrived. We had no idea we were heading to a nuclear testing area. The conditions were atrocious with flies, rats, and crabs. We were allowed two buckets of fresh water a day to drink but it was an offence to wash or shave with it. We had to do these things with salt water which wasn’t pleasant. The temperatures and humidity were high too, but I did enjoy the sun.
“We all made the most of it with a film screen set up, fishing and swimming and we would play with a football that was smuggled in.”
David remembers the intensity of the bomb blast. He says:
“We sat cross-legged on the ground with no protective clothing. The plane took off and once it had climbed to the correct height, the countdown was started.
“Seconds before the explosion, the bird world went quiet, then came the flash, it was so hot that it was like sitting with your back against an electric fire, some people were burnt.
“The double bang followed, it was louder than breaking through the sound barrier. The palm trees were knocked over.
“Then it started to rain, a terrific tropical storm, it brought all the rubbish back down to earth, showering us.
“We walked along the beach following the test and the sand had turned to glass, it was so hot. I remember a whole colony of pure white birds with beautiful long tail feathers that were wiped out. We had to pick them up, place them in bags and destroy them. The same for the fish, they were bagged up and the Navy took them out to sea.”
David served for 12 years and has suffered with health problems throughout his working life that he believes to be caused by exposure to radiation.
“I have felt angry as I don’t feel myself and the other veterans have been treated correctly. Initially the medal arrived in the post in a jiffy bag along with my junk mail. I saw news reports of other veterans arranging their own presentations so I decided to try and do the same in Norwich. I advertised but only one other lady responded. Her husband had passed away but she had received the medal on his behalf.
“This lady and her daughters joined me for the presentation. I felt honoured, something which I haven’t felt in a long time. It means everything to me to get this medal and to have some recognition for the work we did and the environment we faced.
“I will wear this medal this Remembrance Sunday and will remember those we have lost.”
In 2022, David was registered as sight impaired. He started to receive the support of Blind Veterans UK in 2023.
He says:
“I was told about three years ago that I was losing the sight in my left eye, I can’t see anything out of that eye now. The doctors are currently trying to save the sight in my right eye which is very blurry.
“I’m coping and the support from Blind Veterans UK has really helped me as I come to terms with my sight loss. I used to scald myself when making a cup of tea, but the charity has provided me with a machine that makes my hot drinks. I also have new steps by my back door to support me to walk independently with my four wheeled walker.
“I attend lots of veteran meetings and enjoy getting together with other veterans for a chat. I live on my own following the death of my wife but the groups ensure I get out and about.”
Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Vivien Thomas said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Freeman and the family of the late Mr Carman to Norwich City Hall, to hear their stories and to pass on the medals on behalf of all of us in heartfelt gratitude and sympathy for what was experienced by so many in the armed forces during the nuclear testing programme. The events which happened all those years ago should be recognised as part of our history, as should the suffering they generated.”
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/gethelp
