Whitchurch man remembers time on radioactive island after receiving Nuclear Test Medal
An RAF veteran from Whitchurch is "proud" to have received a medal for his service during the British nuclear weapon tests in the Pacific in the 1950s.
The Nuclear Test Medal medal has been awarded to those who served in nuclear testing grounds between 1952 and 1967, including scientists, civilians and next of kin, regardless of whether they witnessed a detonation.
Charles Edwin Powell, 86, from Queensway in Whitchurch, received his medal in the post at the end of last month, and says it has brought back memories of his time as Safety Equipment Assistant during the nuclear tests.
Charles, known as 'Jack' in his RAF days, was one of 40,000 British personnel across the armed forces who took part in tests in the 1950s and 1960s.
He said he was just 17 when he enlisted in November 1954. He went on to become a corporal and was witness to the nuclear tests during Operation Grapple on Christmas Island and Operation Antler in Maralinga, Australia between 1957 and 1959.
