The British Nuclear Test Medal
Overview
The British Nuclear Test Medal recognises United Kingdom Service and civilian personnel, and individuals from other nations, including New Zealand veterans, who served at the locations where the UK atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted, including the preparatory and clear-up phases, between 1952 and 1967 inclusive.
Description
The design features an atom surrounded by olive branches and bears the words “Nuclear Test Medal”. The obverse bears an effigy of His Majesty the King. The simplicity of the design was chosen to reflect the multitude of different roles that were carried out by the broad range of recipients.
The ribbon design includes white, yellow, black and red, with the lighter blue for the sky and ocean, representative of the Pacific.
Eligibility
UK Service and civilian personnel, and individuals from other nations, who served for any length of time at the locations where the UK atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted, including the preparatory and clear-up phases, between 1952 and 1967, including:
- Operation Hurricane (Christmas Island)
- Operation Totem (Emu Field, Australia)
- Operation Mosaic (Montebello Islands, Australia)
- Operation Buffalo (Maralinga Island, Australia)
- Operation Grapple (Malden Island, Christmas Island, Kiribati)
- Operation Antler (South Australia, Western Australia)
- UK Service and civilian personnel who served at the locations where American atmospheric nuclear tests took place in 1962 under Operation DOMINIC
- Foreign nationals who served at the locations where the UK atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted, including the preparatory and clear-up phases, between 1952 and 1967
The medal can be awarded posthumously to the legal next of kin of eligible individuals who have since died.
UK Service and civilian personnel who contributed to the test programme remotely from the UK, or any other locations, between 1952-1967 are not eligible for the Medal.
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The British Nuclear Test Medal is authorised to be worn with New Zealand and other official medals which are permitted for wear in the New Zealand Order of Wear. The order of wear for New Zealand veterans is immediately after the New Zealand Defence Service Medal.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
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Checking eligibility and applying for this medal
To assist the UK Ministry of Defence Medal Office in processing applications, the NZDF has provided them with a list of all NZ Armed Forces personnel known to have served on OP GRAPPLE or at the nuclear tests in Australia. This list does not include current addresses or next of kin, so NZ nuclear test veterans will still need to apply through the UK Ministry of Defence application process.
Applications are now open for eligible veterans, civilians, and their next of kin. For more information visit the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-medals(external link)
For any questions, please email the British High Commission at Defence.Wellington@fcdo.gov.uk.
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Checking if this medal was issued
The British High Commission periodically provides NZDF with a list of Nuclear Test Medal recipients who are residents of New Zealand. Upon receipt of this information, individual service records can be updated.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NZDF does not receive notification of recipients who no longer reside in New Zealand.
NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.
Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page.