Sir, In late 1962, as a 20-year-old airman, I was posted to Maralinga Range, and spent a year there (“Veterans of atomic bomb tests in race against time for compensation”, July 4). In the following year I was ordered, along with a party of other airman, to go up to the Forward Area, close to Ground Zero, to clean up debris that had been left behind after the detonation. Our protective clothing was RAF denim overalls.
The temperature was between 120F and 130F. The choice was that you “protected” yourself with heavy clothing, which meant you would quickly succumb to heat exhaustion, or you took your chances with shorts and sandals. Most young men of my age thought we were immortal and chose the latter option. On finishing a session of clearing up we stopped off at the “Decontam Centre” for a quick shower and a quick run over with the Geiger counter, then off to the bar for a drink. This was 1963, four years before the initial British clean up.
I was one of the lucky ones; my only problem has been infertility. Many others were less fortunate. On my return to UK I was offered a chance for a lovely weekend at Porton Down to catch a cold. I declined.
From the age of 17 I had planned a lifetime career in the RAF. My previous experiences made me realise what a pointless and fragile existence Service life can be. I purchased my discharge in 1968, the best career move I ever made. Nothing much seems to have changed in some respects since then. The Ministry of Defence and successive governments still treat the Armed Forces with contempt.
Roger Litten
Swardeston, Norfolk