Geograph - photograph every grid square

The latest addition to the cluster of smaller memorials sited to the north of the main war memorial (Cenotaph) in St Peter's Square was unveiled and dedicated on Thursday, 5th October 2017 SJ8398 : Unveiling of Nuclear Test Veterans Memorial, Manchester.

Between 1952 and 1962 Britain carried out a number of nuclear explosion tests on various Pacific Islands. Members of the armed forces were used to observe the effects of these explosions. These men were given no protective equipment and indeed often wore shorts and sandals. In later years a number of veterans experienced various illnesses and a number died. This simple marble marker commemorates all those veterans who have since died due to the effects caused by exposure to radiation during the tests. It had originally been positioned in the Peace Garden prior to the re-development of the square but has now been cleaned, given a new plinth and restored to a prominent position in the square.

The dedication on the stone reads:

BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS
VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Dedicated To The Memory Of
Test Veterans Who Have Died
Since the British Tests At
MONTE BELLO, EMU FIELDS,
MARALINGA, MALDEN ISLAND
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
1952 – 1962
Not Forgotten
3rd October 1996