As the leading campaigning organisation in the UK for Nuclear Test Veterans and their families, we have been working extremely hard to get medallic recognition for the Veterans and this work will continue in November.
In conjunction with The Daily Mirror, the Royal British Legion and the Office for Veteran's Affairs, we have put together a host of events in November to raise awareness and continue the fight for justice.
Johnny Mercer MP
We wanted to start this blog by welcoming the re-appointment of Johnny Mercer as a dedicated Veterans Minister to the Cabinet Office. Liz Truss removed the Veterans Minister position from the cabinet and sacked Johnny. This re-appointment is fantastic for the veteran community and for the Nuclear Veterans as Johnny has worked tirelessly on our behalf and we look forward to continuing our close relationship with him.
1st November
Our latest edition of ATOM will be published and we will be launching our new Associate Membership scheme. You can join us as an Associate Member and have your say in shaping the future of LABRATS and its direction. Any existing subscribers will be converted automatically to Associate Membership. Click the button below to join us and help our cause.
8th November
WE NEED YOU!
LABRATS and The Daily Mirror are organising a public demonstration at Parliament on Tuesday, November 8.
If you can get there, we will be demanding Rishi Sunak, MPs and peers deliver on promises of a medal and wider recognition in the Plutonium Jubilee year, and on the 65th anniversary of the Grapple X test.
Afterwards we will march down Whitehall to No10 Downing Street, the Cenotaph, and the Ministry of Defence, to lay wreaths.
We need as many veterans, wives, widows and descendants as possible to come along. This will be YOUR chance to tell YOUR story and demand justice.
Meet at 1:30 pm at the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square. If you have any specific needs or questions, please contact us.
We know not everyone will be able to make it, and some will only be there in spirit. Please share our call for supporters on social media, to encourage others.
13th November
LABRATS will be taking part in the Cenotaph parade for the first time, 23 people will be marching in this 70th anniversary year. We have made the Royal British Legion aware of the anniversary and have informed the press of potential interviewees.
We have been moved up near the front of our column for maximum publicity. We hope that the BBC will not cut away this year, as they have done in previous years as the veterans and their families march past. Please look out for us in the parade in our distinctive colours and badges.
A big thank you to the 23 people who are marching and the volunteers who will also be present on the day to help ensure that the event runs smoothly. We would also like to thank The Royal British Legion for this opportunity to march on this day of remembrance.
21st November
Following the meeting with the Prime Minister in June, part of the recognition package was to have a commemorative service for Nuclear Veterans. Originally scheduled for the 3rd of October (the 70th anniversary of Operation Hurricane) it was delayed due to the Queen's death. Originally suggested by Susie Boniface, this event has been funded by the Office for Veteran's Affairs (OVA) and will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Due to security reasons, we need to provide initial estimates of numbers to the OVA by the 28th of October, so please contact us by midday on the 28th to secure your place as they are limited.
Conclusion
We continue to work on formal recognition, education and awareness as part of our ERA program. We are building international relationships and ensuring that the veterans are not airbrushed from history. The team does this voluntarily, they take no salary and rely on donations, grants and the kindness of volunteers to make this happen. If you can join us as an Associate Member, it would be appreciated by the LABRATS team.
We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us and continue to support us in the future. Especially those in the #lookmeintheeye working group. November is going to be a busy month as we push for recognition in this anniversary year.
The Daily Mirror and Susie Boniface will be producing further articles during November and we will have an announcement on the 8th regarding the missing medal campaign.
Thank you for reading this blog and I hope that you will attend one of the events planned or join us as an Associate Member. We will keep pushing to ensure that we receive an announcement regarding the medal very soon.
NO RISK. NO RIGOUR. NO JUSTICE!
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