Remembrance 2024: Army Veteran’s Service Recognised After 65 Years

An Army veteran in High Wycombe has finally received a medal in recognition of the dangerous work he undertook 65 years ago, ahead of Remembrance.

Michael Mossop received the Nuclear Test Medal after his daughter Sarah applied for it on his behalf.

Released in 2022, after years of campaigning by veterans and charities, the Nuclear Test Medal is awarded to UK service and civilian personnel, and individuals from other nations, who served at the locations where the UK atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted, between 1952 and 1967.

Michael was serving in the Royal Army Pay Corps (RAPC) and was stationed on Christmas Island in 1959, shortly after hydrogen bomb tests had taken place on the South Pacific island.

Michael, who is now living with dementia, joined the Army in 1951, and served for 31 years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Daughter Sarah said:
“During his time on Christmas Island, he was distressed to see the impact of the tests close up, and he often spoke of his relief that no more tests were carried out there.”

Sarah said that, as teenagers, she and her brother would discuss difficult and challenging issues with her dad. She said: “He said he saw his role in the Army as a peacekeeper, doing things to protect his country. He was in his teens during WWII, and people he knew died, and he was very conscious that we didn’t want to live through another major war. He was part of the effort to stop that happening again, and that was a valuable contribution.”

Sarah said her father was fortunate to not suffer health conditions which have affected other nuclear testing veterans, and added: “As a family, we are immensely proud of Dad. It was nice that we were able to apply for the medal and to remember and commemorate the work he did ahead of Remembrance. I think it will mean a lot to him, as the Army was a massive part of his life.”

There have been growing calls for veterans who were exposed to radiation from nuclear tests, and their families, to receive compensation.