Mr Gotts joined the RAF at 15 as a chef, and just two years later witnessed nuclear weapons tests off the coast of Christmas Island - an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean - in 1962. The American nuclear tests took place near Christmas Island, Johnstone Island and at locations in the Pacific. The UK operation to support the Christmas Island tests - which involved about 300 British service personnel - was codenamed Operation Brigadoon. Mr Gotts also has memories of the journey to Christmas Island along with other 17 and 18-year-old servicepeople. “After witnessing the test, you do not want to imagine what the reality would be if they were dropped on us.”Last year the Nuclear Test Medal was released after a long-fought campaign.

Source: The Times November 19, 2023 07:03 UTC