A nuclear test veteran has reiterated his call for justice and made a plea to GB News viewers 70 years on from his travails for the British Army.
Speaking on GB News, Brian Unthank spoke about how he and many others have been working for years to try and get compensation from the Government.
Veterans and their families developed cancer, heart problems and even lost babies after they were exposed to radiation during British nuclear tests.
Unthank told GB News that he has had 93 skin cancers since being stationed on Christmas Island as a cook from 1957.
Brian Unthank has suffered 93 skin cancers
GB NEWS
He told Bev Turner and Andrew Pierce the governments who have been in power since have barely afforded them a ‘thank you’.
“The medals we got came loose in a Jiffy bag”, he said.
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“The medal and the ribbon were loose in the box. We had to go out and buy a pin to sew the ribbon to put it on your chest.
“I wouldn’t even say it was a half-hearted gesture. It was less than that.”
Asked by Andrew if he felt “conned” by the decision to go to Christmas Island, he said”: “I thought it sounded lovely.
“I was told to go to London Airport and there would be a plane waiting for me. That was my order.
Your nuclear veterans need you
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“Nobody knew what was going on. Nobody knew where I was going. The MoD (Ministry of Defence), said, ‘you’re safe’.”
Alan Owen, founder of LABRATS International, a campaign group fighting to win compensation and support for nuclear veterans, is a descendant of one the many who suffered.
He told GB News about some of the horrifying effects of radiation that many veterans are living with, along with their descendants.
“There’s lots of miscarriages, lots of stillborn children, horrific things that are happening to the descendants down the line that are still happening now to great grandchildren”, he said.
Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner were shocked by some of the revelations
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“Even now, great, great grandchildren are suffering with teeth problems, skeletal problems, autoimmune diseases.
“Even when you get, say, 50 descendants in a room, three out of the 50 will put their hands up when asked, ‘how many have autoimmune disease?’”
Over 100 veterans regroup annually for a reunion, but this year they are still seeking to raise funds for it to take place, and that is where GB News viewers come in.
The week long annual reunion takes place at Pontins, Sand Bay, Weston-Super-Mare and allows veterans to meet old colleagues.
It aims to reduce loneliness and improve the mental health of the veterans.
If you are able to help, donate here to help our veterans enjoy the reunion they deserve: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nuclear-test-veterans-reunion-2025?qid=87bb0d9f77f533fd6df99ccfab860564