Northwold RAF veteran receives Nuclear Test Medal almost 70 years after his service in Maralinga, Australia

An 85-year-old RAF veteran has said he and his peers were “used as guinea pigs” after receiving a medal for his service.

Brian Hull, from Northwold, was recently awarded a Nuclear Test Medal for his service in Maralinga, South Australia, during the 50s and although he was “happy and excited”, the former RAF member couldn't help but feel like he was used as a military “guinea pig”.

The medal is given 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.

Brian had spent his whole childhood in care, and before heading to Maralinga in 1956, did a year of training with the RAF Catering Corp to become a chef.

“I was a Dr Barnardo’s boy, so when you got too old they just threw you out and that was it – I was at a loose end so I thought I would join the RAF.”

At the age of 18, he was sent over to the Australian test site where he would cook for the ‘VIPs’ which included a number of scientists and world leaders.

“We would provide buffets with lobsters and caviar, and of course where I could, I helped myself to all the goodies.”

Between 1956 and 1963, there were seven atomic bombs which were detonated, some twice the size of Hiroshima.

Brian recalled his experience with one of the explosions.

He said: “To be honest we were naive, we were marched just five miles away, and told to stand in a circle with the bomb in the middle and our backs turned. There was no real safety, we were young and didn’t know what was going on.”

When a nuclear explosion occurs, it releases energy through the blast, heat and radiation – those who are exposed run the risk of health issues such as cancer, lung problems or death.

Talking about his own health, Brian said: “I’ve been ill actually, cancers, diabetes, problems with my liver and eyes, but you can’t prove it was the radiation.”

As well as bombs, other trials were conducted which were referred to as ‘minor trials’, these included the exploding of plutonium using TNT which scattered nuclear waste debris around the site.

The test site in Maralinga was shut down in 1967, and is still uninhabitable to this day because of the risks. It is estimated that it won’t be safe for thousands of years to come.

After leaving Australia in 1959, Brian continued his career in catering with a job at RAF Lakenheath and eventually his own business.

He married his wife Mary, who he met before he left and sent letters to while he was away.

It has taken almost 70 years for Brian to receive recognition for his service, and his medal came through the post on November 10.

Andrew Hull, his son, said: “It’s a bit appalling actually, we’re the last country to give medals out to the nuclear veterans. Countries like Holland, Germany and Australia have been giving their men recognition for years.”

Brian added: “Though we weren’t in a war zone, we were in a line of fire, used as guinea pigs.”

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