A veteran from Little Lever is demanding recognition of the devastating health impacts of Britain’s nuclear weapons programme. Around 39,000 servicemen, scientists and local people were in close proximity to 45 nuclear bombs tested during the post-war period. John Morris (87) joined the army in 1956 when he was 18 to fulfil his National Service.
He was stationed on Christmas Island where he witnessed four nuclear bomb tests – the closest set off just 20 miles away. These were part of Operation Grapple – the name given to a series of British nuclear weapons test. A nuclear explosion as part of Operation Grapple (Image: John Morris) John said: “The light was so bright, it’s almost impossible to explain – like an X-Ray in front of your eyes.
“You could see the light through your hands and your bones. “After the explosion, we never saw a fly or a mosquito for two weeks, they were completely destroyed.” John spent two years in the army before returning to England, after which he soon started to feel the effects of being exposed to radiation.
He was diagnosed with pernicious anaemia when he was 26, a blood condition which requires him to receive injections every three months. He said: “I also broke my arm playing football in Little Lever and it took six months longer to heal than it should have – my blood and marrow may have been affected.” John has also survived stomach and prostate cancer.
John Morris on Christmas Island while serving in the British Army (.