First veteran eligible under new criteria presented with the Nuclear Test Medal
More British military veterans will receive the Nuclear Test Medal in recognition for their help to establish the nuclear bomb for the UK and US, the Government has announced.
Under the new criteria, RAF Squadron Leader Pete Peters was the first to be awarded the medal at his home in Suffolk by Minister for Veterans and People Al Carns.
The criteria for the medal, which was introduced for those who participated in the UK's Nuclear Test Programme between 1952 and 1967, has been expanded to include those who served under atmospheric nuclear test programme in the US.
Mr Carns said: "The work that the nuclear test veterans did in taking part in the UK's nuclear tests, laid the foundation for the decades of security and safety that our society benefits from even today.
"The expanded criteria will now also include those who worked with our closest ally, the US, during those years of development and discovery.
"It was an honour to mark this change today by awarding a medal to Squadron Leader Peters, a former RAF Canberra pilot, who made a vital contribution to the nuclear programme, as well as his distinguished service for which he received the Air Force Cross."
Mr Peters took part in American tests in 1954, along with his RAF comrades, flying high-altitude air sampling missions in his Canberra aircraft to gather vital information.
The first medals were presented to veterans in October 2023, which featured an atom surrounded by olive branches, with the words Nuclear Test Medal underneath.
The criteria for the medal was changed following a direction from Defence Secretary John Healey to review it once again.
Nearly 5,000 veterans and next of kin have been awarded medals so far.
Full eligibility to receive a Nuclear Test Medal can be found here.
Applications for the medal can be submitted by completing the Ministry of Defence medal form.
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